Grandcat having extended 'sleepover'!

meritaten

As you all know Barnes had his annual Booster last week. I waited 24 hours to give him his Spot On and wormer. on Saturday I noticed that he seemed to have a line of skin where I had put the spot-on. yesterday it was a golf ball patch of fur missing - just a few scratch marks, no rash or redness or soreness. Today it was more like a tennis ball sized patch of fur! I rang the vets for advice and was asked to fetch him up for the vet to check him. Thankfully, Atrix was here to take me and Barnes up (I don't drive). The same lovely vet was there and she had a look listened carefully to my describing how I administered the spot-on (exactly how you are supposed to). and that I had waited the 24 hours after his booster. the only other thing he had had was wormer and ear mite drops (just the Johnsons ones). Vet said that plainly wasn't the cause of the fur loss.
it was a reaction to Activyl Spot Ons. its either the active ingredient or the carrier fluid.. So she is going to investigate what he can have instead, but will probably be the injection form of flea treatment. I really need to do some serious research now - because he HAS to have some form of flea treatment as he is allergic to insect bites too!
Otherwise, he is fine if a bit itchy and sorry for himself! I have used some of my aloe vera plant gel on the bald patch (the vet said that was good to use - and we decided on that in preference to steroid cream (what's the betting the little bu99er would be allergic to THAT too?) we would carry on with the gel.
fingers crossed Barney's fur will quickly grow back! its awful - it looks like it just 'disappeared'! no stubble or raw patches where you can tell it has been scratched out..............it just looks 'bare and smooth'!

edit - I have JUST realised I walked out of the vets without asking if there was anything to pay! soddit! He didn't have a prescription - but the consultation fee is about £20. I will have to ring in the morning and apologise and pop the money in later!

meritaten

update - I have been applying the aloe vera gel as often as I can - poor Barnes is avoiding me! he is convinced I am doing something nasty!
At least it isn't any worse today!
I don't owe vets anything - they were really nice about it.
So here is a free plug for them - Budget Vets.

tbh I was a bit hesitant about using them at first, but Atrix assured me they were really good. and the service we have got has been as good if not better than the independent vets I have previously used with other pets. (Although NOBODY comes close to Wendy Jones - the best vet in the world, who sadly retired some years back).

his_missus

EEK! Where did my post from yesterday go? Grr!


Anyway, I asked if you knew which ingredient had aggravated Barnes, if you could tell by comparing with any previous brands you've used. Have you used Activyl before?
I also had a little giggle at you leaving the vets without paying, glad there was no charge


Glad it's not getting worse, does that mean it's getting better?

meritaten

hi his - missus. Vet wasn't sure which ingredient could cause the allergic reaction. She is going to do some research in readiness for next month - so am I!

Yes, I have always used Activyl apart from one time when they had run out so he had Advantage instead.

Its no worse today - and he does seem a bit happier in himself. he hasn't scratched anyway. so the aloe must be helping. that stuff is miraculous!
will keep you all updated anyway.

his_missus

How odd. They've obviously changed one of the ingredients, how irritating!


Glad Barnes is happier anyway


Harley came home a few days ago without his collar. He must have lost it in a traumatic way as he went berserk when I put an old one (of I think Scrappy's) I assumed it just smelled of another cat or he didn't like the bell. I bought a new one, took off the bell and he still didn't like me putting it on him. Then when I had, he went and hid behind the sofa! He's been a bit subdued since too. He was fine with me touching and stroking his collarless neck so I don't think the collar itself is aggravating him. Sometimes I wish cats could just talk to us!

meritaten

Delighted to say that Barnes is much more 'himself' today! he spent most of the day 'watching over' Ava. and part of the afternoon playing 'catching gravel' with my other granddaughter in the back garden!
He did manage to get shut in the front bedroom and I didn't notice for a couple of hours (wasn't MY fault - it was OHs!), so I am not his fave person right now!

nonnie44

Glad Barnes is a bit better now, and his missus you are so right about wishing they could talk to us!

Haven't been on here for ages, been a bit of a nightmare running up and down to the hospital, hey ho getting there now but I could have done serious damage to one of the young doctors. She said mum needed a colonoscopy (is that spelt right?) after she had already had an endoscopy - wouldn't it just have been easier to have done both together? Anyway said that they were sure she had had a bleed from her stomach and being on warfarin had made it worse, hence needing the transfusion, then follows it up with "but we need to check for any cancers" seriously, who just blurts that out to a 77 years old! :eek:I wasn't very happy but mum never batted an eyelid, so we had to wait 6 days for the procedure and then finally on friday the head doctor came to her and said that everything was clear....omg I could have cried with relief. Had a surprise 18th bd dinner for dd last night and the hospital gave mum a 'pass' for the evening to come to it, she had a ball but had to go back by 10pm, hoping to get her home on tuesday though which dd is delighted about as that is her actual bd. So sorry for waffling on, just seems to be the end of a really long week and I'm so tired

Hope everyone is enjoying warmer weather today, it's nice here but not too warm, cats love it! xx

meritaten

Oh dear, oh nonnie what a lousy week you have had! I do hope your mum makes a full recovery!

Get some rest hunny - you need it! and your mum will need you refreshed and rested when she gets home. Do the hospitals up there place 'Care Systems' before the patient is released, or do you have to arrange it yourself with your GP?

meritaten

sorry - forgot to update everyone!

Barnes is even more himself today! a very different Barnes to LAST weekend where he couldn't even be bothered to come and greet visitors! today he was happy to 'meet and greet', kept us company as we sat on the decking outside (not literally ON the decking but on the chairs which came out for the first time this year - plus the matching table and parasol. the grandkids had their dinner outside today too.....so it must have been nice). Warmest day so far this year.......I even took my Cardi off!
Barnes even took shelter in his favourite spots - under the Peony and in the outhouse on the metal toolchest! well, with all his fur he must absolutely swelter!

his_missus

Oh Nonnie, I'm glad your mum's tests came back clear. You take of yourself xxx