There may be itching involved with an allergic reaction, but not
necessarily. My cat has allergies of some kind. We aren't exactly sure
what is the cause...whether it's food or environmental. (We thought it may
be food related but now I'm leaning towards environmental since it seems to
be worse in spring and fall.) He gets sores on his mouth and on his foot
pads. He scratches some, but not enough that you would think that he's
having a real problem. If it's any consolation, my vet has yet to give my
cat a cortisone shot or any type of steroids for his allergies. We have
changed his food to a novel protein diet and have been able to treat his
outbreaks (when he has them) with antibiotics. So I don't think it's
automatic that a vet will treat with steroids (even though I do understand
that this is a normal treatment for allergies and my vet has said that if my
cat's problems worsen, steriods would be a course of treatment).

S.
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**Visit me and my cats at http://www.island-cats.com/ **
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wrote in message
...
I was the one that posted about the swelling on my cats bottom lip and
chin. It was suggested it might be an allergy to his plastic dishes or
food. Wouldn't such allergies cause itching though? Still trying to
figure out what's going on with him. I'm not encouraged about reading
about vets not helping and giving things that might harm cats such as
cortisone shots.