Expert: Ali - 10/20/2008

Question
i have a little manx that gets chew up on her ears and nose by mosquitos every summer. we have had her to the vet and he gave us Panalog ointment, a 7.5 ml tube for $18, and the visit was $125. we ran out of the ointment, and i have tried to buy it online but i need a prescription and he of course charge me another $125 for the visit. i have diluted Skin So Soft, 1/8th teaspoon to 1/2 cup water and applied that, but she cries like it hurts. keeping her inside is impossible because she hides till the door is opened. her manner is to lollygag unless we pull a string or wind up a toy for her, other wise she has the "wait for me" attitude, even with the bugs. she flicks her ears after she gets bit. i have human antibiotics galore but am afraid to use them on her. do you have any ideas on what to use on her ears and nose or where i can order more panalog ointment without another vet visit? thank you

Answer
Rose,

I'm not entirely sure that Skin so Soft is okay for the cat even diluted as much as you have done. Cats have extremely sensitive skin and products designed for humans just aren't meant to be mild enough for a cat. I must say that I am dismayed to hear that your family vet has made a practice of over charging, especially when he was already consulted for the issue and all that was required was a prescription refill. In my opinion it just might be a good plan to seek out another vet that is less concerned with the almighty dollar and more concerned about the health and well being of your kitty. As for your veterinarian - have you considered seeking the advice of another vet, specifically a holistic vet? A holistic vet is trained in both conventional medicine as well as alternative therapies such as homeopathy, massage or acupuncture. If you have your kitten assessed by a holistic vet he/she may be able to recommend something to add to this kitty's diet or a chemical free way to deter the mosquitos. You can help to make your property less inviting to mosquitos by ensuring that the land is kept dry and that there are no containers of standing water for them to breed in. It's also a good idea to avoid using pet dishes outside that will hold water, again because mosquitos breed in standing water.

If your cat spends a fair amount of time outdoors it might be best to avoid allowing her outside during times when mosquitos are most likely to bite - dusk until dawn. It's a good idea to consider adding bat houses to your property because they enjoy eating mosquitos, a few bats could certainly keep the mosquito population in check. Since your cat seems to be a target for mosquitos it is worth mentioning that mosquitos carry heartworm and cats can contract heartworms which are parasites that slowly clog up the structures of the heart and eventually kill their host in the event that they aren't eradicated in time. You could also consider treating the bites with polysporin or another similar antibiotic ointment to discourage infection. You may also want to ask a vet about the possibility of treating your cat with an antihistamine to minimize her immune response to mosquito bites if she seems itchy. It's very important that you realize that not all human antihistamines are safe for cats and using medications that aren't designed for cats without a vet's guidance can lead to accidental overdoses, organ damage and in some cases these drugs can prove fatal in spite of treatment. I would say that it would really be best to keep this kitty indoors as much as possible to reduce her exposure to mosquitos and hopefully allow her to be a lot more comfortable. I realize that you aren't entirely comfortable with that idea, however the continued assault on her little ears by mosquitos is uncomfortable and may even be painful and itchy as a result of her body's reaction to the bites.

I have also taken the liberty of including a question and answer from allexperts.com Ask the Veterinarian.

Topic: Ask the Veterinarian

Expert: Dr. Louis N. Gotthelf
Date: 10/4/2008
Subject: Cats: fly/mosquito bite caused dermititis

Question
My cat has been coming in with bites on his ears and bridge of his nose.  I'm not sure if it is from flies or mosquitoes, or a combination of both.  I'm almost positive it's not fleas since I apply Advantage each month. I've been scouring the web looking for preventative remedies and so far can only find answers for DOGS.  I realize they can probably use the same products, but the difference is if I put anything on my cat, he has to be able to eat it without getting sick because it will undoubtedly get in his mouth when he's cleaning himself.  The bites have been getting worse, and I can't really leave him inside all the time.  Please let me know what I can use to treat the sores that are already there and what can be used to prevent them from happening again!  Sorry this is so long, I wanted to be as specific as possible.  Thanks in advance for any help!

Answer
Cats do get mosquito bite hypersensitivity on the nose.  Advantage only kills fleas.  You can use Frontline, which will help kill the mosquitos and you probably need to get your cat indoors more. There is fly repellant called VIP fly ointment which MAY work to be a repellant. YOu would put it on the tips of the ears daily.