r/Abyssinians • u/Inner_Eye_7029 • 5d ago
Skin issues - help!!!
My abyssinian has some skin issue and im suspecting allergies (he was brought to the vet but im not sure i want to visit a dermatologist - i have a toddler and a newborn and im in the trenches right now)
At first he was intensely licking his paws mainly his front. I noticed his skin around the thumbs being raw. Then the scratching came. He had multiple scabs. I brought him to the vet and he had a bacterial infection on the thumbs but not the scabs. Checked for fleas and negative.
He got antibiotics and cortisone. About a week after his last dose, same thing. Licking and scratching with new scabs. I cant really buy hypoallergenic food cuz i have three other cats and they have food out all day and share it.
Any advice appreciated.
TIA
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u/alsotheabyss 5d ago
I would in this case be assuming one of two things: food allergy, or stress. Given your food issues then fluoxetine may be something inexpensive to try. Speak to your vet about it.
Or, stop free feeding.
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u/Inner_Eye_7029 4d ago
Hes def not a stressed cat😂 what is fluoxetine? Is it some type of medication?
I cant really stop free feeding because i have three other cats (one being suuuuper picky with her food) and the aby in question is a FOODIE
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u/HamBroth 5d ago
The rash is only on the paws??
He may be allergic to the litter.
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u/Inner_Eye_7029 4d ago
He had raw paws probably from licking them so much and he got a bacterial infection. We treated it with antibiotics. He never had issues with the litter before that and hes over a year old at this point
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u/me_version_2 5d ago
I had to switch mine to sensitive food for this and also excessive puking, I don’t know how you’d do it with multiple cats, maybe chip reading feeders? You can try anti histamines in their food, that worked for mine for a bit, but the one I used was discontinued.
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u/Pale_Mall4302 4d ago
Just a couple of questions for clarification, is he on flea prevention? It’s next to impossible to ‘check for fleas’ as cats constantly groom making it difficult to find live fleas. Where exactly are the scabs & where is he licking? Just the paws?
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u/Inner_Eye_7029 4d ago
The vet checked for fleas and didnt see any. No other cat is scratching either. Hes not on any flea prevention at the moment. The scabs are on the back of his neck. The licking is just the paws
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u/Fancy_Feast_819 4d ago
Switch all cats to a different protein like duck - Natural Balance Limited Ingredient Duck and Peas avoid chicken I’m only saying that cuz it’s cheaper than switching all to a prescription diet, which of course would be better it you can afford that
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u/ElizaMaySampson 3d ago
Stress would be my guess too. With a newborn and a toddler, there is a change in routine in the house, change in sounds, activity, attention, and cats are sensitive creatures. They SHOW STRESS in ways that are unexpected, licking excessively being a primary one. It's a dissociation if they don't feel they can express stress in another way.
So when someone says a cat isn't stressed, how do we know? The only diagnostic of stress is by their behaviour, and if it changes to something unhealthy, painful, or destructive.
That said, a personal feeder with microchip for the picky cat so that they ALWAYS have access to the food they must have could be very helpful, that way the other cats can be fed on a schedule and limited, helping to narrow down or cross off food issues. Do remember if you switch foods, do so over a space of 8-10 days. No need for any more possible anxiety or change 😊
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u/cdb2o26 4d ago
I understand you're busy, but he's bleeding. Perhaps a telemedicine visit? Feline skin issues are challenging- or draft a helpful friend or family member to help you manage getting back to the veterinarian?