My cat is about 6yr old, found in my neighborhood, quite healthy looking maybe 4-5 years ago. Her problems started maybe 2-3 years ago with huge inflammation in her mouth. She was on steroid type shots until it seems they were not helping much, and were killing her health. I just took her off them and feed all canned food. Lately I have been adding some yarrow and parsley herbs with food and she eats it. Her mouth is beyond sensitive and painful. If she bumps it she cries. She went thru about 6-9 months of most of her hair gone and very thin hair. Right now she has symptoms of ringworm, I believe; tiny patches around eyes and on tip of ears with no hair, also a slight upper respiratory-some sneezing & watery eyes.
She was spayed shortly after I took her in & she never regained her hair back on her belly at all, which seemed odd. Now that her hair is growing back she has hair everywhere, including the belly. She got thinner when the shots didn’t help her mouth anymore, but is gaining weight back pretty good now. I have been adding probiotics in her food also.
I cannot afford to have this mouth issue diagnosed with biopysy and all. I assume it is probably plasmacytic lymphocytic, gum disease, as I have gone thru 2 or 3 other cats with it.
I am wondering what Holistic Pet product might be of help but I’m a little confused. I also have a cat who is FIV positive. Some say you need a product for helping the immune system but then I have read that, no, you don’t want to stimulate the immune system, because it is already overly stimulated. Am wondering if what I get for Phoebe, I could also give to help my boy, Spencer, that is FIV positive?
Thank you.
Hello,
Thank you for your inquiry to Holistic Pet Info. Supporting the immune system does not stimulate it, as with a vaccine or disease, but helps it function properly. You are on the right track with the probiotics, but there are several other supplements that should also help modulate the immune system. Antioxidants, omega 3 fatty acids and a hypoallergenic diet should maintain a balanced immune system.
Immugen by Thorne and Omega Gel Caps by NaturVet are both excellent supplements for the immune system. Also a high quality protein diet with low carbohydrates and no grains is the best diet for felines as they are true carnivores and carbohydrates are detrimental to feline livers. Diets such as EVO, Halo, the Honest Kitchen and Wellness Core are all excellent high quality protein diets. All your cats should benefit from the supplements and diet change. Best of luck.
Regards,
Colleen Smith DVM, CVA