Re: OT - Itchy cats antihistamine and other treatments
The compounded benadryl. Michelle In a message dated 7/10/2006 12:59:20 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: What is patches on for anxiety??? t
Re: OT - Itchy cats antihistamine and other treatments
What is patches on for anxiety??? t[EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:I think that the dose Patches is on for anxiety is lower than an anti-itch dose. It is a very low dose. What you say worries me. But with her FeLV, I also worry that stress can trigger her virus and cause her to get lymphoma, which has happened with my other cats, and the benadryl reduces her stress so much. So I am afraid to stop using it at this point. Michelle In a message dated 7/5/2006 8:37:19 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: My holistic vet is concerned that antihistamines have been linked to cancer..we were talking about an entirely different topic. Dixie was scratching for totally unknown reasons and was about as raw as she could get. We were using chlortrimiton to break the cycle of scratch, itch, scratch some more etc. (My regular vet recommended that over the benadryl.) Having one cat with cancer I took the holistic vet's words to heartuse it sparingly. I have to talk to her more about it but I am careful now with the cats and with myself.
Re: OT - Itchy cats antihistamine and other treatments
I think that the dose Patches is on for anxiety is lower than an anti-itch dose. It is a very low dose. What you say worries me. But with her FeLV, I also worry that stress can trigger her virus and cause her to get lymphoma, which has happened with my other cats, and the benadryl reduces her stress so much. So I am afraid to stop using it at this point. Michelle In a message dated 7/5/2006 8:37:19 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: My holistic vet is concerned that antihistamines have been linked to cancer..we were talking about an entirely different topic. Dixie was scratching for totally unknown reasons and was about as raw as she could get. We were using chlortrimiton to break the cycle of scratch, itch, scratch some more etc. (My regular vet recommended that over the benadryl.) Having one cat with cancer I took the holistic vet's words to heartuse it sparingly. I have to talk to her more about it but I am careful now with the cats and with myself.
Re: OT - Itchy cats antihistamine and other treatments
the side effects lists for both of these are kind of scary. It's odd. I almost always do side effects research before starting them on anything, but it never even occurred to me to research the benadryl. She is on a very small dosage (I think it's equivalent to 1/6 of the smallest over the counter pill, twice a day), transdermally. At this point I think I am more afraid to stop it than continue it, as it makes her so much calmer and happier. She gets really agitated when not on it. When Simon was alive, if I skipped a few doses, because I ran out or something, she would start hitting him on the head. He was always happy when I refilled her prescription! Michelle In a message dated 7/5/2006 8:30:37 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: Yes it does. I haven't read anything about long term side effects, I was just researching to be sure. Here's a link about chlor from that same article I posted earlier:Chlorpheniramine is an antihistamine used to control itching in animals with allergies. It may also be used as a mild sedative. May see vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, or inability to urinate when used at higher doses. Do NOT use products in which chlorpheniramine is combined with other drugs or compounds such as caffeine or acetaminophen.I've seen Diphenhydramine used in sleep aid tablets, so I'm sure it does make one drowsy. Here's what they have to say about Diphenhydramine, (the ingredient in Benadryl): Diphenhydramine is an antihistamine. It is used for the treatment of allergies and atopy, primarily to stop itching. (Atopy is an allergy to something that is inhaled, such as pollen or house dust; also called 'inhalant allergy.') It may also be used to control vomiting and motion sickness, as a mild sedative, and to treat muscle tremors due to certain toxins or medications. Contact your veterinarian if your pet experiences sleepiness, agitation, a rapid heart beat, depressed respiration, an inability to urinate, vomiting, diarrhea, or loss of appetite while being treated with diphenhydramine.
Re: OT - Itchy cats antihistamine and other treatments
The scar is not noticeable under her fur, and I don't think it bothers her at all. The benadryl and felliway seem to work well for her. I am so used to using both of them that it does not seem like a big deal, and I have never thought that low dose benadryl is a problem. Do you think it is for some reason? If it's not, I tend to want to leave well enough alone and not stress her, or myself, with new vets. The funny thing is that when the vet first prescribed the benadryl, years ago, he told me to buy the pills from the drug store and pill her (I think it was 1/6 of a pill or something like that). But she is incredibly hard to pill, so I would have to chase her around twice a day and grab her and pill her, getting bitten, and she would foam at the mouth and hyperventilate. After a few days of this, it dawned on me that this was probably not helping her anxiety! So i asked for it to be compounded. She still runs when she sees I have the cream, but is easy to catch and is fine when I rub it in her ear. The vet who prescribed it had said that some cats, after getting it for a few months and stopping the habit of pulling their fur out, just get over it entirely even if the benadryl is stopped. That has not happened yet with Patches, and it has been almost 4 years! Michelle In a message dated 7/5/2006 8:29:56 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: Have you considered a holistic vet? Mine used laser on some scars Dixie Louise has and it really seems to have helped. Rescue Remedy and other flower essences have also worked. Guess I am looking for a cure instead of a patch. The little ones from the streets need so much and are so wonderful..
Re: OT - Itchy cats antihistamine and other treatments
My holistic vet is concerned that antihistamines have been linked to cancer..we were talking about an entirely different topic. Dixie was scratching for totally unknown reasons and was about as raw as she could get. We were using chlortrimiton to break the cycle of scratch, itch, scratch some more etc. (My regular vet recommended that over the benadryl.) Having one cat with cancer I took the holistic vet's words to heartuse it sparingly. I have to talk to her more about it but I am careful now with the cats and with myself. If you have men who will exclude any of God's creatures from the shelter of compassion and pity, you will have men who will deal likewise with their fellow man. St. Francis - Original Message - From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: felvtalk@felineleukemia.org Sent: Wednesday, July 05, 2006 7:12 PM Subject: Re: OT - Itchy cats antihistamine and other treatments Does chlortrimiteton have tranquilizing effects like Benadryl? I know Benadryl makes me sleepy, and I figured that is why it works for patches, though it does not make her sleepy. I have not seen or heard of any bad effects. Did you read something specific about it? Michelle In a message dated 7/5/2006 7:34:35 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: Sweet little girl. I'm so glad you found each other. Don't you just wish we could coo and stroke their anxieties away? So I take it that you haven't found any cause for concern with ongoing dosing? You've got me thinking... My main man cat, Instigator, has been anxious and concerned about Spencer's arrival at the house. Spence is socially retarded and just doesn't have any cat etiquette. I really think he's just trying to initiate play with Instigator, but Insty is having none of it, has stopped socializing altogether and is constantly looking over his shoulder. I'm going to try the fe first, but may give him a .5 Chlor tab as well. Hell, how about a round for all of us!N No virus found in this incoming message.Checked by AVG Free Edition.Version: 7.1.394 / Virus Database: 268.9.9/382 - Release Date: 7/4/2006
Re: OT - Itchy cats antihistamine and other treatments
Yes it does. I haven't read anything about long term side effects, I was just researching to be sure. Here's a link about chlor from that same article I posted earlier: Chlorpheniramine is an antihistamine used to control itching in animals with allergies. It may also be used as a mild sedative. May see vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, or inability to urinate when used at higher doses. Do NOT use products in which chlorpheniramine is combined with other drugs or compounds such as caffeine or acetaminophen. I've seen Diphenhydramine used in sleep aid tablets, so I'm sure it does make one drowsy. Here's what they have to say about Diphenhydramine, (the ingredient in Benadryl): Diphenhydramine is an antihistamine. It is used for the treatment of allergies and atopy, primarily to stop itching. (Atopy is an allergy to something that is inhaled, such as pollen or house dust; also called 'inhalant allergy.') It may also be used to control vomiting and motion sickness, as a mild sedative, and to treat muscle tremors due to certain toxins or medications. Contact your veterinarian if your pet experiences sleepiness, agitation, a rapid heart beat, depressed respiration, an inability to urinate, vomiting, diarrhea, or loss of appetite while being treated with diphenhydramine. [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Does chlortrimiteton have tranquilizing effects like Benadryl? I know Benadryl makes me sleepy, and I figured that is why it works for patches, though it does not make her sleepy. I have not seen or heard of any bad effects. Did you read something specific about it? Michelle
Re: OT - Itchy cats antihistamine and other treatments
Have you considered a holistic vet? Mine used laser on some scars Dixie Louise has and it really seems to have helped. Rescue Remedy and other flower essences have also worked. Guess I am looking for a cure instead of a patch. The little ones from the streets need so much and are so wonderful.. If you have men who will exclude any of God's creatures from the shelter of compassion and pity, you will have men who will deal likewise with their fellow man. St. Francis - Original Message - From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: felvtalk@felineleukemia.org Sent: Wednesday, July 05, 2006 6:09 PM Subject: Re: OT - Itchy cats antihistamine and other treatments 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=505Nina No virus found in this incoming message.Checked by AVG Free Edition.Version: 7.1.394 / Virus Database: 268.9.9/382 - Release Date: 7/4/2006
Re: OT - Itchy cats antihistamine and other treatments
Does chlortrimiteton have tranquilizing effects like Benadryl? I know Benadryl makes me sleepy, and I figured that is why it works for patches, though it does not make her sleepy. I have not seen or heard of any bad effects. Did you read something specific about it? Michelle In a message dated 7/5/2006 7:34:35 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: Sweet little girl. I'm so glad you found each other. Don't you just wish we could coo and stroke their anxieties away? So I take it that you haven't found any cause for concern with ongoing dosing? You've got me thinking... My main man cat, Instigator, has been anxious and concerned about Spencer's arrival at the house. Spence is socially retarded and just doesn't have any cat etiquette. I really think he's just trying to initiate play with Instigator, but Insty is having none of it, has stopped socializing altogether and is constantly looking over his shoulder. I'm going to try the fe first, but may give him a .5 Chlor tab as well. Hell, how about a round for all of us!N
Re: OT - Itchy cats antihistamine and other treatments
Sweet little girl. I'm so glad you found each other. Don't you just wish we could coo and stroke their anxieties away? So I take it that you haven't found any cause for concern with ongoing dosing? You've got me thinking... My main man cat, Instigator, has been anxious and concerned about Spencer's arrival at the house. Spence is socially retarded and just doesn't have any cat etiquette. I really think he's just trying to initiate play with Instigator, but Insty is having none of it, has stopped socializing altogether and is constantly looking over his shoulder. I'm going to try the fe first, but may give him a .5 Chlor tab as well. Hell, how about a round for all of us! N [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: 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
Re: OT - Itchy cats antihistamine and other treatments
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=505Nina
