Question by Beth J: Pray for Hooch: I have a cat that will not stop scratching her ear, any suggestions?
This cat is allergic to fleas, so we make sure to keep that problem resolved. We have taken her to the vet and she has no fleas (he did give her an allergy shot to be sure), she does not have mites, neither does she have infection. He did an allergy test on her and found nothing other than the allergy to fleas. Even though she was only scratching her ear, I had the vet check everything from mites to worms, just to be on the safe side.
In the past, once I saw her scratch even once, I would use her flea med immediately and the problem would be solved. I rescue animals so sometimes one will bring a flea in, even though I quarantine the new ones, stuff happens sometimes. And I stay prepared. I also have the exterminator come every three months … an ounce of prevention.
She began scratching about three weeks ago and I began the ritual. However, when I checked, I saw no sign of fleas. Now I do know when a cat or dog is allergic, one can wreak havoc – and there is never just one.
When she did not stop scratching after the first day, I loaded up the kitty carrier and took her to the vet. I have done this three times and he has not found anything. She has scratched until the spot just behind her ear is raw, and it looks terrible. I have a natural medication I use on it and that is about the only thing that helps. I have tried all of the medications and they make her ear burn, cause her obvious pain and do little to even help the raw area. My problem is, even after I put the natural concoction on that helps, she will wait a day and then begin scratching again. Thus, about time it scabs over and looks like it might heal, she breaks it open again. I just put the medication on her rear again this morning and she actually purred while i was putting it on, and then began rubbing against my legs as cats will do when they are happy. I sat and held her for awhile so she would not try and rub the salve I made off, and the little booger actually took her paws and wrapped around my neck as if she were hugging me.
I am just totally stumped! I have never seen any animal keep scratching as she does, even when I know it is hurting her. I am worried she is going to permanently damage herself.
Any thoughts, ideas, or suggestions?
Add: We have tried the basic anti-itch medications as well.
AngelWolf13: Went through a lot of denial myself on that one. Finally when I became legally blind in one eye and all depth perception was gone – along with the peripheral vision – I got the glasses, but it did take flunking the eye test when I went to get my license. I could not see half of the darn signs. But now I can really see that poor cat’s ear! And to those who are saying mites… checked, they were not there, we did a prophylactic med to be sure, but there was never a sign of mites. It is almost like this is a habit now.
I think I am going to send my husband with a sampling of our water. We are on county water, but this did began after we moved from the city to the country. I am sending him to the Agricultural center for testing now.
I should add, with the rescues, I do have three vets as I have to always have one handy. All three are in separate offices and all three have checked this cat. My favorite ve, who actually specializes in felines, actually sent tissue samples to North Carolina State School of Vet. Med. Nothing. But I will not give up, and I am going to try all of these suggestions. We are missing something. You guys are right about that.
ANgelwolf13 & JC. I got my results back from the vet today.. you guys were both right. Seems that this MUST have started with a little wen that we could not see or feel under her skin at the “furry” base of her ear. When she would scratch so badly, of course there was no finding it and we would know there was infection from the scratching, so did not realize there was a colonization of microbes from the actual wen. And we had already started using the Otomax you suggested because I had some left over from an infection my Mini Blue Persian had. And it was working to help heal the area. She is now on an oral pill and doing fine. Once this clears, we will totally eradicate the problem with minor surgery. You would have thought she would have scratched the darn thing away! Now for the hard part… best answer. You were both great so…

Best answer:

Answer by grdenstate
I had a similar issue where my cat wouldn’t stop scratching her ear. We had to buy a cone and keep it on her for a week but the problem was solved! Every once in a while she would start to scratch again and we just had to put the cone back on. It’s more annoying for the owner than the cat – the cone – but it does help! Good luck!

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Question by Christina: My dog has allergies and is scratching all day long no stop!!?
My dog is making his skin red and raw with his constant scratching. I know he has allergies , but dont know wut to give him. I dont know wut to do anymore cuz he seems to be in pain. I have changed his food, and he hardly goes out, but he looks so sickly. Eyes are red and watery and he rubs his face on the floor and licks himself and bites. We have no fleas or ticks in the area and I dont know how to help him. Wut should I do..

Best answer:

Answer by Change Sucks #2
Has he been to the vet? What’s more, just changing his food may not matter if there is grain in it. What brand of food is he on? If there is ANY corn, wheat, or any other grain besides brown rice and oats that is most likely what is causing it.

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Question by mmmmmmm: My English Bulldog and Boxer wont stop scratching, Help!?
The Boxer is 4. The first summer we had ehr she was fine and didnt scratch at all. But every summer since then she gets all red and keeps scratching herself nonstop. The Bulldog is 2, She does the same thing. She bites her paws and scratches herself til she bleeds. We live in the northeast US. And when its cold from novemver to March they are fine. We have tried everything. Different flea collars…new regular collars, shampooed all the carpets, washed all their blankets, got all new toys, changed food, cut out table scraps, put stuff on the lawn outside, then didnt put fertilizer or weed killer on the lawn, we’ve tried oatmeal baths, we’ve tried baths every 2-3 days, the vet doesnt know what to do. The only thing that works are steroids, Prednazone ( probably spelled wrong). But that isnt good for the dogs and I dont want them on the pills. I think my Boxer has allergies cuz she gets all red, but the bulldog i think has egzema cuz she also loses her hair, but doesnt get red
Ive tried Benadryl….we’ve tried keeping them just indoors…its not fleas or ticks….we’ve tried numerous detergents…we changed their diet….nothing works. We havent done anything new to the backyard since we have our dogs. Its weird that the Boxer was fine the first year but ever since then its terrible. And its just about everyday…not just the days with a high pollen count or whatever. We’ve tried taking them for walks….we’ve tried letting them out the front….nothing works! I feel so bad, especially for the bulldog cuz she’ll often scratch herself til she bleeds or yelps. Yelling at her doesnt work….she listens to everything but this lol. We’ve had her nails clipped but that didnt help. We’ve tried numerous dog shampoos. We’ve tried everything we can think of. Is there a home remedy…say olive oil or something.

Best answer:

Answer by Patricia
Maybe they have Scabies or Mange

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Question by mmmmmmm: My English Bulldog and Boxer wont stop scratching, Help!?
The Boxer is 4. The first summer we had ehr she was fine and didnt scratch at all. But every summer since then she gets all red and keeps scratching herself nonstop. The Bulldog is 2, She does the same thing. She bites her paws and scratches herself til she bleeds. We live in the northeast US. And when its cold from novemver to March they are fine. We have tried everything. Different flea collars…new regular collars, shampooed all the carpets, washed all their blankets, got all new toys, changed food, cut out table scraps, put stuff on the lawn outside, then didnt put fertilizer or weed killer on the lawn, we’ve tried oatmeal baths, we’ve tried baths every 2-3 days, the vet doesnt know what to do. The only thing that works are steroids, Prednazone ( probably spelled wrong). But that isnt good for the dogs and I dont want them on the pills. I think my Boxer has allergies cuz she gets all red, but the bulldog i think has egzema. Cuz she also loses her hair, but doesnt get red

Best answer:

Answer by Yo LO!
I used to have a lab with a flea allergy (He was allergic to everything…)and he chewed himself raw. Bag Balm (A medicated salve) really helped ease the itching and heal the sores. It’s safe if the dogs lick it and available at pet stores.

The only way I found to get rid of fleas was to call an exterminator and have the house and yard treated regularly.

It could also be an allergy to something as simple as your laundry detergent that their bedding is being washed in – Try switching to a dye and perfume free detergent and fabric softener.

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Question by JasonR: My cat is scratching, has scabby spots on head/neck?
In the last week or so, my cat has developed scabby spots on the back of her head and neck. She is scratching them quite a bit, which is probably making them worse!

About six years ago, she had the same sort of sores/scabs but they were scattered over much of her body and caused significant hair loss. My neighbors dog, who came to visit us quite a bit, had fleas and gave them to her! The vet diagnosed her with a flea allergy and, in addition to using FrontLine, she gave her some medication that cleared it up in a week or so.

I have triple-checked her this time and there’s no sign of any fleas. I’m wondering what else might cause this sort of skin irritation? And what can I do to treat it?

Any advice will be greatly appreciated! I’m not currently working (laid-off) and finances are tight, so a vet bill would hurt quite a bit. But if i don’t find a solution in a few days and she’s no better, I’ll find the money for the vet!

Best answer:

Answer by Eleanor
Is there a PDSA clinic near you. It is a vets practice that helps people who are on benefits. If not have a word with your vet and explain your circumstances. I’m sure they will let you pay the bill in installments rather than have the poor cat suffering. Hope she feels better soon.

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