Re: OT - Itchy cats antihistamine and other treatments

[Lernermichelle]

Nina, Patches actually doesn't itch.  It's anxiety, a compulsive habit, rather than due to itching. The benadryl is given in a very small dose, transdermally in her ears, as an anti-anxiety drug rather than as an antihistimine. She sometimes licks anyway (I haven't seen her do it in a long time, but looking at her right now I see that the hair on her belly is shorter than elsewhere), but it makes a huge difference.  Her anxiety predates Lucy-- she was anxious when she came to me. She had a huge scar on her cheek (now covered with fur), some broken teeth, and other signs of having been attacked or abused.  She used to attack me whenever I made a loud noise like yelling at Simon when he did something particularly naughty.  The benadryl calms her in general, though she does not seem tranquilized or anything. Has actually started playing recently, for the first time.  Poor baby. She had a bad childhood on the street.  But a little benadryl has worked better for her than 30 years of therapy does for some humans! :)   Michelle   In a message dated 7/5/2006 6:46:46 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: Hi Michelle, I had been avoiding using antihistamine for Starman's itching because, well, mostly because I hate to medicate period.  Have you heard anything detrimental about long term use in controlling Patches' itching with it?  I was looking for information about possible side effects, long or short term and found this page on treatments for allergies sponsored by Drs. Foster & Smith.  I know you said Patches chews on herself because of anxiety, (tell Lucy to stop pouncing on her!), but thought you might find it interesting and helpful.  I didn't know that Omega 3 was specifically beneficial for itching, and that biotin, (one of the B vita) has also helped.  It talks about the different type of antihistamines, steroid treatments, etc.  Anyway for all those itchy cats out there, here's the article: http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?cls=1&cat=1332&articleid=505 Nina