Mable & Allergies

[admin]

Hi all

This kind of follows on from my previous post. It’s not strictly IMHA, but I’m hoping you’ll not mind me posting.

So Mable is currently on prednisolone for a skin allergy. It’s just a short course – she’s having 2.5mg (0.5mg/kg) daily for 4 days, then 2.5mg every 2 days for about 2 weeks, then stop.

So far she’s doing ok, although drinking more and feeling hot etc. I think the skin is a bit less angry. I’m just wondering what you think about the tapering – do you think it looks ok or do you think it’s too much just to stop? Should I taper it further?

I’m sorry for this seemingly silly post, when I know so many of you are dealing with so much worse. I just know that you all know about reducing pred! And as I’m already seeing side effects, it’s definitely doing something.

Thank you,

Mary and Mable x

[Brigitte]

Hi Mary,
I am sorry Mable is feeling the side effects of the prednisone, but it looks like it is helping with her skin. I know from people that have taken prednisone that it really makes you feel lousy but it is saving our AIHA animals lives and for Mable it is helping her skin. I am no expert with the tapering in this case, but since Mable has taken the 2.5 mg only for 4 days I am pretty sure it will be ok to do it this way. I have heard it being done this way in dogs with no problems.

Allergies are such a tricky thing. All of my family (except me:)) suffer from them more or less. I have learned that antihistamines and most medications, just mask the symptoms and in the long run make it worse. To really have results you have to get to the root of things. I know this is not an easy task! I will spare you all the long stories on how we tried to find out what triggers our daughters allergies. From my experience with them and others, it is usually not just an allergy to one thing but two or more triggers. When they come together there is a reaction. I think that is why it is so confusing and regular allergy tests don’t necessarily give you the answer. For example our daughter Stefanie had a horrible allergy to the glue on band aides. Now that she is eating healthier, the band aides don’t bother her. Our other daughter Corina constantly broke out in hives since she is a teenager. She is now under the care of a fabulous naturopathic doctor. Corina has many allergies to foods and environmental triggers. But she only breaks out if there is also a certain amount of stress involved. An other thing I have learned is that you can eat or be in contact with something for years and not be bothered and then all of a sudden there is a reaction. Has there been a second trigger or has the body just had enough? Maybe there is an autoimmune issue? I don’t know. Of course my observations are totally non scientific. What I am trying to tell you is, don’t just look at one thing. Since you don’t want to put Mable on prednisone over and over, I would do some detective work. You could start with an elimination diet or even spend the money on Dr. Dodds Nutriscan test. I know it is pretty costly but it could show you a few things. Do a diary what Mable has been eating. Forgive me I don’t know if she is an outdoor or indoor cat. Is it worse in the summer (lawn products of neighbors?) or spring (pollen)? I would take a good look at her food. You probably know how paranoid I am about processed pet foods, and of course I don’t know what you are feeding Mable but I think that would be a first start, to feed her a home made diet. There are many recipes on line. Unfortunately I have also heard it is much harder to switch a cat from commercial to home made food. But I would think it can be done.
I hope this helps, best wishes,
Brigitte

[admin]

Hi Mary

Brigitte’s post is fantastic – a process of elimination & detective work for you then!

That dose of pred is small & – most importantly – short – compared to the huge longer terms doses for IMHA. Mable should not have a problem at this level, but we completely understand why you are wary – I am always cautious these days & we have every right to be – you especially so, Mary, having had such a terribly sad time with poor Molly. And don’t you EVER say a post is silly – anything goes on here if it makes us feel better or gets us some support & advice from others, you know that. We are here to worry together!

Love Sheena & the boys xxxxx

[lynn]

Mary my rat terrier had a terrible skin allergy from a certain grass out side…. she too went on prednisone. example not exact but example how her vet tapered her off.pred twice a day for 5 days then pred once day for 5 day then pred every other day until gone but follow the vet course on giving that is how Madison treatment went .and, I agree with what Brigitte said finding the cause and … and, it can take testing and then when you find the cause. I know a friend used a cleaning product on her floor and her poor fur baby broke out in red bumps threw up and got very sick until with the vets help found it was what she cleaned with. allergies are very sometimes hard to find… it can even be something in their food to what you use to wash clothing in to pet shampoo’s . I sure hope you find the root cause soon. poor little mable I know its hard for her… and,wish the very best for you and your dear baby. lynn& Hayley p.s. remember raw salmon can harm cats it must be cooked…. home made is a great way to start simple if its food allergy best of luch for mable

[Vally]

Hey Mary, yes I like Brigitte’s idea too and although that’s not going to be easy, that’s probably the better long term resolution, hopefully.

I don’t believe you need to taper the way we have done here. I think that’s why a lot of vet who haven’t dealt with AIHA still people to do the usual reduction of prednisone. 50% after 3 days/1 week etc. Yes, I think the fact that it’s taken short term makes it different. My nephew was just on 25mg pred for a few days for a bad bout of tonsillitis. He just stopped taking it. I was horrified. I’m not actually sure he was meant to do that.

I hope you can resolve poor Mable’s problem. It might be a good idea to contact Dr Dodds about that food testing – is it for cats as well? She may have an idea in any event.

Vally & Bingo
xxx

[admin]

Hi all

Thank you so much for all your helpful replies. The girl is doing ok, taking her pred like a champ, and although the patch is still quite sore, I’m hoping it will start to heal soon. Thank you for your reassurance about reducing the pred – feeling much better about that. Vally – such an important point that I’d never considered about why some vets cut pred so drastically in IMHA pets. I also had a short course of it once, like your nephew, and stopped abruptly. I think you guys must be right about the duration being the important factor.

Brigitte – thank you for telling me about your daughter’s allergies, although I am sorry they have been through all that. You are so right, that allergies are so complex. I have reacted to certain medications, then been fine, then reacted again. I think, as you say, it is sometimes more than just the allergen which triggers it – certainly in some types of reaction anyway. I also think stress is a huge factor, although perhaps not well understood.

Mable is an outdoor cat – she has free access in and out during the day, and I keep her in at night. I’m afraid her diet is very commercial. She is immensely fussy, and turns her nose up at almost anything outside what she knows and likes (except prawns, thanks to Sheena). I do try to add a few bits of fresh food and grain-free foods at times, but I can try adding more – I even have a cat recipe book somewhere (!) This allergy is definitely seasonal and happens every summer, for the past 3-4 years, only this year it’s worse. My gut feeling is a grass allergy, maybe like Lynn’s Madison. I put grass seed down a few hours before I found the sore. Vet said she would likely have respiratory symptoms, so may be coincidental. The other likelihood is a flea allergy, so I am focusing on keeping her environment flea-free, as I’m confident she is flea-free at the moment.

Dr Dodds is another possibility – I will take a look at her site and see what’s available for cats, and if we can use the facilities from over here.

Thank you all again, so much. It is such a help to have somewhere supportive to figure all this out! Life in the aftermath of IMHA is never quite the same, and I so appreciate being with others who understand that.

Lots of love,

Mary and Mable x