Expert: Dr. Louis N. Gotthelf - 3/2/2008

Question
Dear Dr. Gotthelf,

I've read many of your answers involving cat scratching, but it seems that my cat has a complex problem.
My 3 1/2 year old male cat has been scratching himself raw for a long time. I have several other cats without this problem.  Supposedly, the scratching begins with the ears/face (whiskers are broken of) and then proceeds to the belly and legs. He's been treated repeatedly with antibiotics and a topical spray.  The whiskers and fur grow back and then the whole cycle repeats itself.  He would not eat the prescribed z/d food after trying to get him to eat it slowly over a 6 week span.
We've tried the antihistamine and also a short term tranquilizer, with little success.
We have been doing the vet-suggested program that has helped his sibling (owned by someone else) who has similar issues. This  consists of cleaning his ears, using Revolution once a month, and feeding duck and pea cat food. The diet of duck and pea food was repeatedly vomited, so we stopped that portion.  The rest of the program may have lengthened the amount of time between the intense scratching cycles a bit, but by no means has made much of an impact of stopping the cycles. My cat has broken whiskers and a hairless red belly once again at this writng.
To further complicate the problem, my cat has several congenital health problems, one being a heart condition for which he takes atenolol. Because of this, the vet says my cat cannot takes cortisone.
Now, my cat was just found to have crystals in his urine, and was prescribed the c/d diet. I've just started introducing the food today. I have no idea what impact this will have on the whole scratching issue...

Do you have any insight/suggestions as to what I should do about this problem?

Thank you,
Sue

Answer
Atenolol is usually indicated for irregular heartbeats and to lower blood pressure.  One shot of a steroid should not interfere too much with cardiac function.  If the steroid works, then it is allergic skin disease.  If not, then it is something else. With so many problems, you are going to have to take some risks treating him.  Talk to your vet about the risks.  There is a drug called ATOPICA (cyclosporine) that has been used in some cats with allergies.