Nij and I went to the vets last night - without Kira - to get the long awaited results. It felt like going to parents evening to see how the kid had done on some special tests!
Tom was wonderful and took ages explaining the results to us very patiently. Often they don't show food allergies at all on these tests but she came out with quite strong allergies (all 3's on a 5 point scale where most should be 0) to beef, lamb, rabbit, corn and dairy products. Now apparently - we have been reading up on this for the last few weeks as you might expect - lots of cat foods that may be fish also have meat traces in and most have corn based products in as a bulking agent as well. Kira can have fish and poultry though, which is good news, and also rice as a bulking agent.
She also showed an allergy - but only a 1 on the scale - to dust mites (blooming typical!)
So the verdict is .....
Her coat will take several weeks to improve. She basically has to shed most of it and grow her new one in.
She will be itchy for several more weeks yet and may well develop still more new scabs from pustule blisters on her head.
She has to stay on the food trial for at least another 6 weeks - it can take that long to get everything out of her system
Fiki is licking her face all the time as she is indeed secreting a sebum from the allergy which he finds attractive (Let's face it - he finds pooh attractive so sebum must be just plain heavenly!) However, unless she has actual scabs, which his licking will stop from healing, he can't do any harm. So once this batch of scabs have gone they can be ruinited.
Once the food trial is complete we try introducing another food. we are going to try the James Wellbeloved foods as they do a turkey and rice and a fish and rise which they guarentee are hypoallergenic and totally meat free. It is also a reasonable price - not the extortionate amount we are paying for the prescription food.
We have bought a household flea spray - we don't have fleas - but it will help with any dustmites. The worst offenders are beds apparently; especially duvets and pillows even though we wash them, vac the matress etc. So we will spray their room and ours, have new pillows and duvet for us etc.
Now we just have to watch and wait and hope that the food trial works and reintroducing some other food has the desired effect. We have to accept there may be more scabs and poor coat for a while, but at least we are getting soemwhere. Thank you again for all the messages of concern for her.
The page here today is another from ATDML using the Basic Grey papers. When I saw the surfer papers I was terrified of them. But then I remembered I had taken some pictures of surfers at Huntington Beach on holiday.
(Actually I guess I should pretend the surfers are Nij and I LOL) It worked well and for two pretty poor pictures I was actually quite pleased with the finished effect.
Wishing you lots of luck with the food changes xxx
Posted by: Charlotte | October 30, 2007 at 07:13 PM
I'm so glad to hear that you've found out what's causing this, at least once you know you can do something about it. I've been checking in to see how Kira is doing but it's also a pleasure to see your fabby LO's etc also. Hugs to Kira.
Posted by: CarolineO | October 30, 2007 at 07:25 PM
You can get get special downie covers and pilowslips which prevent dust mites getting out - they are sold for asthma sufferers.
http://www.snugnights.co.uk/productcart/pc/viewCat_M.asp?idCategory=19&gclid=CI_tkNOvt48CFQbclAodlGBvYA
I think you'll find loads more if you do a search.
Posted by: Lesley | October 30, 2007 at 07:41 PM
This must be such a relief, to finally know that there is a cause and it is treatable. I have been following her progress and praying for a good result, and although it will be hard on you all at least there is a light at the end of the tunnel.
Do look for the asthma stuff, there is plenty of things about because dust mites are the biggest cause. I 'think' you can also get special bits to go on your hoover too.
Posted by: Yizzard | October 30, 2007 at 09:17 PM
That's fantastic news that you finally have some idea of what's wrong with poor Kira. Hopefully the food trial will go well and she'll be back to her glossy pretty self soon! You must feel like a huge weights been lifted now that you can do something for her!
Posted by: Lori | October 30, 2007 at 09:22 PM
So glad you finally got some answers! Hopefully all these changes will be just what she needs and will soon be all better. Hugs to you all!
Posted by: Heather C. | October 31, 2007 at 10:16 AM
Fabulous news, just allergies. Nuisance but worth putting up with. My cat couldn't have milk made him very ill & I myself am allergic to dustmites. It can be a swine as I love my carpets!!
Posted by: Paula | October 31, 2007 at 12:28 PM
Glad you have some answers at last Karen. It must be a huge relief.
My dog loves poo too. It turns my stomach.
Posted by: Kerry | October 31, 2007 at 02:24 PM