For more than a year now, our cat has been in and out of a cone because she keeps tearing up the flesh in front of her ear. We’ve taken her to the vet several times, they give us a different answer each time and whatever the solution the provide it ultimately does nothing. Ears are clean, no fleas, no obvious health issues. Anxiety meds just made her scratch lazily, antibiotics for cat scratch inflammation, did nothing. Topicals and antifungal, just make for slimey scabs. The best I’ve managed is using an anti itching cera-ve cream 4 times a day, but if I miss, there goes her face again.

We’re at a loss at this point. She’s otherwise very happy and loving, but it’s starting to take a toll. We have to baby proof the house because when she can’t scratch the spot she’ll just scratch it on box corners, table edges, the dish washer, etc. She can’t groom in the cone and when we try to brush her she just shoves her crusty wound on us to itch it. We love her so much and just want her better.

  • trailee@sh.itjust.works
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    1 day ago

    You can also talk to your vet about Apoquel. It’s nominally only for dogs but it’s sometimes used for cats. It’s kind of expensive, but is the same cost per pill at several different dosing strengths. So if you do go that route try to get your vet to prescribe it at a level where the dose is 1/4 tablet and buy a pill cutter.

    • snooggums@piefed.world
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      1 day ago

      Apoquel really reduced my dog’s face itching, which he addressed by viciously rubbing his face on things like blankets and couches and anything else.

      It costs about $160 a month. Worth it, but damn that is a lot.

      • trailee@sh.itjust.works
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        1 day ago

        I get it at Costco for about $64 for 30 tablets, which is 4 months when you’re using a pill cutter! But my dog is small and can have a dose of 1/4 tablet for a large dog. If you have a large dog then that’s no good. (But all cats are small so OP could go my route)

        • M137@lemmy.world
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          9 hours ago

          Ah, the 'Murican stereotype of ignoring the fact that a person might not be American. You just default to believing everyone online is in the US and it never stops being both hilarious and infuriating. You’re doing a great job at proving Americans are dumb as fuck.

          • trailee@sh.itjust.works
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            7 hours ago

            Costcos exist in 14 countries, thanks.

            Certainly prices can vary regionally, and the retail pharmacy options near you may be different than those near me, but that doesn’t make it irrelevant for me to share a tidbit about how I happen to get something for a good price.

            But you’re right that Americans are dumb as fuck. That’s a problem that goes all the way to the top.

          • LH0ezVT@sh.itjust.works
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            8 hours ago

            Take some deep breaths, someone is trying to be helpful here, not condescending.

            Besides, they gave the amount in $, which kind of implies US.

        • snooggums@piefed.world
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          1 day ago

          It is a Boston terrier, ao on the smaller side. We don’t have Costco nearby but they will be building one in the next couple of years so I’ll try to remember to check that out.