Question:
Well, Max seemed to get better, but last week it all came back at once, which makes me think it wasnt the food, that made him have these itchy bumps.
Now, its all back, and he is ITCHY like crazy, the bumps are small, and are in bunches, under his chin, around the neck and by the tail, but nowhere else. By the tail its not so bad, the bumps are more spread apart and there are less of them there. But around the neck, behind the ears, they are in these clusters, they feel dry, but when Max scratches - they start to bleed abit, I guess due to his intense scratching.
The vet: we did everything, bloodwork showed nothing, and the food that he is eating is a very good food. He is on NB Venison and Pea allergy formula.
So now she (vet) put him on antibiotics, to see if that would help, it does, but very little, its been almost a week that he is on the pills, and very little improvement.
She is lost, she doesnt know what it is, or could be, she said she will try other stuff if the pills wont do him good, but I just dont know, I dont want to keep screwing him up with different medications, that do nothing to him... (Also, he has been throwing up since he is on antibiotics, like he would eat, and about half hour later barf the food...Should that alarm me? Or is it a normal reaction to the meds? Could he be allergic to the meds? Should I stop the treatment?)
I have been thinking what this could be, if I had introduced anything new at home, like a new washing liquid or anything, that he could be reacting to and theres nothing that I can think of.
He is miserable and he cries to me, as if to ask for help, but theres nothing I can do?? I tried calming anti-itch shampoo, doesnt seem to matter at all, I am at a loss. Anyone has any idea what it could be? Or how I can reduce his suffering right now?

Answer:
Well, after I posted the message, I called the vet, she said the stop the meds for 2 days and see if the barfing would stop. Then if it does to continue with the treatment. It still bothers me, because if she doesnt know what this condition is - how can she treat it??? Should I look for someone else? Some kind of specialist??

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I'd look for a specialist as soon as possible. No point in being charged by your vet each time you go in + being charged for the meds if she doesn't even know what maladie is being treated. It's kinda like going to the doctor's and being prescribed an anti-biotic because he/she thinks you have an infection. I don't like the idea of taking meds if it's not necessary. I'd like to think a doctor, or in this case, a vet knows what they're treating, especially if you're paying for it.

Has your vet at least tried a skin scraping? Could it be some sort of mites? Good luck, I hope he's better really soon.

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Can anyone recommend a specialist? I, too, dont like to meds for no reason, especially since they dont seem to be doing anything.

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a holistic vet may be of some help too, if available in your area.

yes, the throwing up would alarm me. Personally, I would not medicate w/out a firm diagnosis. If my vet was of no help, I'd request copies of the tests that have been run (they may charge a small fee for these) and seek out a second opinion asap. (bring the test results you have with you to the second vet)

good luck! keep us posted

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Hopital Veterinaire Rive Sud has all kinds of specialists but be prepared to pay lots of $$$. They can be quite expensive. I have an appointment with our vet this afternoon in NDG. Would you like for me to ask him for referrals?

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Jennie,

There is a vet clinic on Decaire that specializes in cats, perhaps you would like to take your cat there.

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I would appreciate any and all information guys! Names, numbers anything you give me is appreciated, and we will at least try to find some more info...
As far as $$$, well, I already spend 30$ on a bag of catfood, and about 160$ in visits alone, so it aint cheap...
Poodletalk, where on Decarie is it?? do you have a name, so I could look it up??
I just dont want to THROW any more money out...I would much rather pay, but if it helps to find out what the problem is and treat it - so be it!

Answer:
Has you or your vet checked for fleas?

I just went throught a tramatizing experience with my cat. He had these red bumpy scaley patched near his head, neck and tail. Some bled some didn't. i did the food change.....no improvment. He gave me an antibotic ointment so the bleeding scabs would not get infected.

Then one night at two in the morning, my cat started howling in pain. I woke up and rushed to find him. He was sprauled out panting and howling, his legs were twitching and he didn't want to stand up. I rushed him to the vet. They could not find anything wrong with him. They questioned me to death about what he could have gotten into, have I used anything new, perfume etc.... they took blood thinking allergic reaction.

They checked for flea dirt........he had none. No tell tale signs of fleas any where on him. Thank god for the patience of my vet.....after 15 mins of searching my cat all over they found ONE stinking little flea!!! My cat had a severe allergic reaction to a flea bite!! All my animals are on Advantage, but all it took was ONE bite.

What you are explaining sounds so similiar to what I just experienced. Itchy red scaley bumps. He was also throwing up about half an hour to an hour after he ate. He was in so much pain from the bumps. And all from ONE BITE!! The vet said he has a hypersensitivity skin disorder called flea allergy dermatitis. Hopefully it is something as simple as this....I wish you and your kitty the best!!

Answer:
You bet me too it dogcatharmony... My cat Lexie suffers from flea allergy dermatitis - exactly the same symptoms as described.
No flea dirt, seems like no fleas - (only ever found one with a flea comb) red sores which dont ususally bleed, but are huge bumps, and kinda look like big pimple!, and itchy. Lex usually gets hers round the tail, on her tail and round her tummy around her bottom two nipples. (fortunately Lexie doesnt seem to be in pain)

I usually use Frontline, which clears the bumps up in a day or two. But Advantage is good too.

IF it is a flea allergy, I'd be questioning WHY my vet didnt pick it up. Its fairly common. AND it does ONLY take ONE bite to start if off!!!!

Answer:
Originally Posted by JennieV
Poodletalk, where on Decarie is it?? do you have a name, so I could look it up??

Here: Cats Decarie


The DMV (http://www.centredmv.com/) also has specialists galore, but it's costly...

Answer:
The first trip to the vet my vet didn't catch it either. they thought Food allergy and just gave me cream to apply to his scaley patches. It was the second trip when he was brought in to the emergency after hours that the second vet suspected this may be the case. He almost gave up though because he couldn't find any.....and Amos was in pain from the vet pushing his hair the wrong way and making the bumps bleed. And then he found one!!

I so hope this helps.

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Thanks Prin...we are going to try and make it tomorrow to the Decarie one.
I hope it is that, I was thinking about it, and where my cat could have picked up a flea, and I remembered that my parents were over, and their JRT puppy had some a long while back, and if it is possible that one or two survived (I checked him when they were over, didnt see any, but who knows...) and jumped my cat - THAT would be it...Otherwise, he is an indoor only cat, and none of our other pets have any parasites at all..
SOOOOOOOOOO frustrated... $100 in the account to live on for the week, till payday..

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Strange, sounds a lot like what my dog is going through... Did you see the vet yet?

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We saw the vet, she checked Max thoroughly, for about 20-25 mins, and no sign of fleas at all. His skin is very dry though. She wants me to continue with the antibiotics, and see if it would come back after that, it could be some kind of skin condition...Since he seems to be doing abit better now, we decided to give it a go for now, if it comes back again - we will go to the experts.

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