Sore on right hind leg has returned - what to do? Help!

I've been writing for a year now about the sore on my the hind leg of my
mom's cat. We've tried Tresaderm and a two week trial of
corticosteroids.
That cleared it out but when we stopped, it came back. Then we continued
with just the Tresaderm to no avail. The vet gave her Tresaderm and an
anti-depressant and it seemed to be working but then came back.

For the last several months, she's been on a combo of Clavamox, an anti-
histamine and an ointment (which has been changed for the last two weeks
to 2.5% Hydrocortisone cream 2x a day, but nothing seems to work.

The wound is about a half inch in diameter, but the surrounding area is
red (about 1.5 inches in diameter). I've been reading that a change of
diet (she's on Fancy Feast wet and Purina One hard food) and removing all
possible allergens in the home might be helpful. We've been trying to
get rid of the old carpets, but finding someone who just picks them up
(when you're not buying another one hasn't been easy). The rubber
underneath is all hardened and has to be picked up. I told my mom to
cover the carpet with a blanket or bedsheet in the place where the cat
sleeps.

The vet doesn't think it's fleas as she's an indoor cat, and she tested
negative for ringworm. The cat has never had booster shots, however, and
she's now about 8 years old. My mom is very upset as they've grown very
close and she doesn't know what to do other than go to another vet. The
info I've read on the net suggests that other than steroid shots and
environmental changes, there's little else to do.

Does anyone have suggestions? Should I be going to a veterinary skin
specialist?

Just wanted to add that this has been going on for over a year, even with
the treatment.

wrote in :

I've been writing for a year now about the sore on my the hind leg of
my mom's cat. We've tried Tresaderm and a two week trial of
corticosteroids.
That cleared it out but when we stopped, it came back. Then we
continued with just the Tresaderm to no avail. The vet gave her
Tresaderm and an anti-depressant and it seemed to be working but then
came back.

For the last several months, she's been on a combo of Clavamox, an
anti- histamine and an ointment (which has been changed for the last
two weeks to 2.5% Hydrocortisone cream 2x a day, but nothing seems to
work.

The wound is about a half inch in diameter, but the surrounding area
is red (about 1.5 inches in diameter). I've been reading that a
change of diet (she's on Fancy Feast wet and Purina One hard food) and
removing all possible allergens in the home might be helpful. We've
been trying to get rid of the old carpets, but finding someone who
just picks them up (when you're not buying another one hasn't been
easy). The rubber underneath is all hardened and has to be picked up.
I told my mom to cover the carpet with a blanket or bedsheet in the
place where the cat sleeps.

The vet doesn't think it's fleas as she's an indoor cat, and she
tested negative for ringworm. The cat has never had booster shots,
however, and she's now about 8 years old. My mom is very upset as
they've grown very close and she doesn't know what to do other than go
to another vet. The info I've read on the net suggests that other
than steroid shots and environmental changes, there's little else to
do.

Does anyone have suggestions? Should I be going to a veterinary skin
specialist?

wrote in message
...
I've been writing for a year now about the sore on my the hind leg of my
mom's cat. We've tried Tresaderm and a two week trial of
corticosteroids.
That cleared it out but when we stopped, it came back. Then we continued
with just the Tresaderm to no avail. The vet gave her Tresaderm and an
anti-depressant and it seemed to be working but then came back.

For the last several months, she's been on a combo of Clavamox, an anti-
histamine and an ointment (which has been changed for the last two weeks
to 2.5% Hydrocortisone cream 2x a day, but nothing seems to work.

The wound is about a half inch in diameter, but the surrounding area is
red (about 1.5 inches in diameter). I've been reading that a change of
diet (she's on Fancy Feast wet and Purina One hard food) and removing all
possible allergens in the home might be helpful. We've been trying to
get rid of the old carpets, but finding someone who just picks them up
(when you're not buying another one hasn't been easy). The rubber
underneath is all hardened and has to be picked up. I told my mom to
cover the carpet with a blanket or bedsheet in the place where the cat
sleeps.

The vet doesn't think it's fleas as she's an indoor cat, and she tested
negative for ringworm. The cat has never had booster shots, however, and
she's now about 8 years old. My mom is very upset as they've grown very
close and she doesn't know what to do other than go to another vet. The
info I've read on the net suggests that other than steroid shots and
environmental changes, there's little else to do.

Does anyone have suggestions? Should I be going to a veterinary skin
specialist?



So your cat has been diagnosed with Eosinophilic granuloma Complex?

Mine has it, and takes none of the above. She gets a shot of Depo Medrol
every three months and her lesions are completely controlled, as is her
asthma. I also control the common allergens and feed her FF varieties
that have no wheat gluten and meat (as opposed to byproducts)
as the first ingredient.

What I don't understand is that you seem surprised that the lesion
comes back. That is what always happens. It goes into remission,
then pops out and you control it with the steroids. I think you need
a new vet, or to ask your current one to use Depo Medrol shots
and forget the cream and anti-depressants.

wrote in message
...
Just wanted to add that this has been going on for over a year, even with
the treatment.



Depo Medrol. No dry food. Vacuum a lot and keep mold out of the
bath and kitchen.

"Lumpy" wrote in message
...

wrote in message
...
I've been writing for a year now about the sore on my the hind leg of my
mom's cat. We've tried Tresaderm and a two week trial of
corticosteroids.
That cleared it out but when we stopped, it came back. Then we
continued
with just the Tresaderm to no avail. The vet gave her Tresaderm and an
anti-depressant and it seemed to be working but then came back.

For the last several months, she's been on a combo of Clavamox, an anti-
histamine and an ointment (which has been changed for the last two weeks
to 2.5% Hydrocortisone cream 2x a day, but nothing seems to work.

The wound is about a half inch in diameter, but the surrounding area is
red (about 1.5 inches in diameter). I've been reading that a change of
diet (she's on Fancy Feast wet and Purina One hard food) and removing
all
possible allergens in the home might be helpful. We've been trying to
get rid of the old carpets, but finding someone who just picks them up
(when you're not buying another one hasn't been easy). The rubber
underneath is all hardened and has to be picked up. I told my mom to
cover the carpet with a blanket or bedsheet in the place where the cat
sleeps.

The vet doesn't think it's fleas as she's an indoor cat, and she tested
negative for ringworm. The cat has never had booster shots, however,
and
she's now about 8 years old. My mom is very upset as they've grown very
close and she doesn't know what to do other than go to another vet. The
info I've read on the net suggests that other than steroid shots and
environmental changes, there's little else to do.

Does anyone have suggestions? Should I be going to a veterinary skin
specialist?



So your cat has been diagnosed with Eosinophilic granuloma Complex?

Mine has it, and takes none of the above. She gets a shot of Depo Medrol
every three months and her lesions are completely controlled, as is her
asthma. I also control the common allergens and feed her FF varieties
that have no wheat gluten and meat (as opposed to byproducts)
as the first ingredient.

What I don't understand is that you seem surprised that the lesion
comes back. That is what always happens. It goes into remission,
then pops out and you control it with the steroids. I think you need
a new vet, or to ask your current one to use Depo Medrol shots
and forget the cream and anti-depressants.



Oops, sorry, I see I already answered this one as my alter ego Lumpy.
Must be overdosing on tryptophan.

"Lumpy" wrote in :


wrote in message
...
I've been writing for a year now about the sore on my the hind leg of
my mom's cat. We've tried Tresaderm and a two week trial of
corticosteroids.
That cleared it out but when we stopped, it came back. Then we
continued with just the Tresaderm to no avail. The vet gave her
Tresaderm and an anti-depressant and it seemed to be working but then
came back.

For the last several months, she's been on a combo of Clavamox, an
anti- histamine and an ointment (which has been changed for the last
two weeks to 2.5% Hydrocortisone cream 2x a day, but nothing seems to
work.

The wound is about a half inch in diameter, but the surrounding area
is red (about 1.5 inches in diameter). I've been reading that a
change of diet (she's on Fancy Feast wet and Purina One hard food)
and removing all possible allergens in the home might be helpful.
We've been trying to get rid of the old carpets, but finding someone
who just picks them up (when you're not buying another one hasn't
been easy). The rubber underneath is all hardened and has to be
picked up. I told my mom to cover the carpet with a blanket or
bedsheet in the place where the cat sleeps.

The vet doesn't think it's fleas as she's an indoor cat, and she
tested negative for ringworm. The cat has never had booster shots,
however, and she's now about 8 years old. My mom is very upset as
they've grown very close and she doesn't know what to do other than
go to another vet. The info I've read on the net suggests that
other than steroid shots and environmental changes, there's little
else to do.

Does anyone have suggestions? Should I be going to a veterinary skin
specialist?



So your cat has been diagnosed with Eosinophilic granuloma Complex?

No. He's not sure if that's what it is. He thinks it's more likely an
allergy to food or the carpet, or an obsessive compulsive disorder caused
by boredom. I suggested a possibility of granuloma.


Mine has it, and takes none of the above. She gets a shot of Depo
Medrol every three months and her lesions are completely controlled,
as is her asthma. I also control the common allergens and feed her FF
varieties that have no wheat gluten and meat (as opposed to
byproducts) as the first ingredient.

Isn't there a danger of regular steroidal injections and the problems of
it being metabolized through the kidneys and liver? The vet wanted to
stay away from injections after the first one last year (and the
corticosteroid pills). He suggested it on the last visit and my mom was
afraid to continue. It that's the only solution, and the solution is
better than continuing with the sore, then we may have to consider it.


What I don't understand is that you seem surprised that the lesion
comes back. That is what always happens. It goes into remission,
then pops out and you control it with the steroids. I think you need
a new vet, or to ask your current one to use Depo Medrol shots
and forget the cream and anti-depressants.


I spoke to him about it today and he wants to see her again. He may do a
blood work up. He's the kind of vet who's very kind, easy to talk to,
and will call you back without question. He also seems very knowledgable
about most problems. The one think he doesn't have is the modern day
high tech office with the blood test computer, and all the other
accoutrements that the younger (under 45 yo vets) seem to have.

wrote


Isn't there a danger of regular steroidal injections and the problems of
it being metabolized through the kidneys and liver?

The key is, what do you mean by regular? Yes, there are side effects
and they are dangerous. My vet said that we could give Gracie Depo
shots as often as every two months without worrying about too high
a risk of diabetes etc. The relief the Depo gives her is complete, and
she began with three shots a year (one every four months) went to
two every year (one every six months) and then this year had to have
three, one in March, one in July, and one in September.


The vet wanted to
stay away from injections after the first one last year (and the
corticosteroid pills). He suggested it on the last visit and my mom was
afraid to continue. It that's the only solution, and the solution is
better than continuing with the sore, then we may have to consider it.




What I don't understand is that you seem surprised that the lesion
comes back. That is what always happens. It goes into remission,
then pops out and you control it with the steroids. I think you need
a new vet, or to ask your current one to use Depo Medrol shots
and forget the cream and anti-depressants.


I spoke to him about it today and he wants to see her again. He may do a
blood work up. He's the kind of vet who's very kind, easy to talk to,
and will call you back without question. He also seems very knowledgable
about most problems. The one think he doesn't have is the modern day
high tech office with the blood test computer, and all the other
accoutrements that the younger (under 45 yo vets) seem to have.


Kind vets are not always the best, especially when they are older and
may be out of the loop with regard to current practices. Pin him
down about Depo and how often he thinks your cat might have it
without a great risk of side effects. You have tried oral and topical
steroids, and they have not worked. Systemic is the only other
thing I know besides working harder to clean up the allergens.

Good luck, and please do let us know. It is hard to watch the
little ones suffer.

"Lumpy" wrote in :


I spoke to him about it today and he wants to see her again. He may
do a blood work up. He's the kind of vet who's very kind, easy to
talk to, and will call you back without question. He also seems very
knowledgable about most problems. The one think he doesn't have is
the modern day high tech office with the blood test computer, and all
the other accoutrements that the younger (under 45 yo vets) seem to
have.


Kind vets are not always the best, especially when they are older and
may be out of the loop with regard to current practices. Pin him
down about Depo and how often he thinks your cat might have it
without a great risk of side effects. You have tried oral and topical
steroids, and they have not worked. Systemic is the only other
thing I know besides working harder to clean up the allergens.

Good luck, and please do let us know. It is hard to watch the
little ones suffer.

Will do and thanks for your advice. I have a friend who has an 17 yo
male cat and recommended he see him 2 years ago, as the poor thing looked
emaciated. The vet did a blood panel and diagnosed a hyper-thyroid
condition. He adjusted the meds accordingly after two more blood workups
and now sees the cat annually to make sure the blood levels are ok. The
cat started eating better immediately after starting meds and looks
markedly improved.

I know what you mean about watching animals suffer. My mom gets very
depressed and it's hard for an elderly lady to give meds to an animal.
It's even harder on the son who doesn't live with her, gets anxious
calls, and also worries about the animal and cares greatly about both.

wrote in message
...
I've been writing for a year now about the sore on my the hind leg of my
mom's cat.

Your vet can gain a lot of information needed to treat this problem with a
biopsy. Depending on the location and the cooperativeness of your cat,
biopsies can sometimes be taken just using local anesthetic.

"cybercat" wrote in :

Depo Medrol. No dry food


Our vet gave the cat a shot of Depo Medrol yesterday along with
Tresaderm to be administered 2x a day and Prednisolone once at night (half
of a small tablet).

However, the cat has hardly been eating since the shot. She had a little
bit last night and next to nothing today. She's alert, but I don't want to
start with the other meds until she eats and shows she has her appetite
back.

Should I allowed him to have given her the Depo Medrol without a blood
workup or skin scraping? She had the ringworm test last year and that was
negative. He gave her Depo last year at this time and it seemed to help,
but the sore never entirely went away. I'm just worried about all these
meds (she was previously on an antihistamine and Clavamox with 2.5%
Hydrocortisone cream.