Since he came to live with us last November Smokey Joe has been treated for parasites, fleas, fungus, and worms-some of them more than once. His positive Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) status means that his immune system is weak, making him susceptible to infections and secondary skin issues.
For example, at the beginning of the year Hubby Tony and I found several bald patches on the cat's skin. After a couple of trips to the vet and a couple of medicines everything healed up. But the issue came back. This time thick scabs covered the bald patches; when one of the scabs fell off there was an angry red sore underneath.So on Tuesday, once again the cat made a trip to his least favorite place. The vet examined him and let us know we should restart the medicated wipes and shampoo we had discontinued. She also said that if the problem continued she would suggest a veterinary dermatologist. (Who knew there was such a thing?)
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When Smokey Joe finally made it home he seemed happy to be in his space, but even though Tony was sitting on the couch the cat took his sweet time jumping up on his lap. However, once he was there he didn't want to leave. My turn for a lap cat came after dinner, when Smokey Joe curled up and didn't leave until it was time for me to go to bed and for him to eat.
I hope Smokey Joe does well. There are so many specialties in veterinary medicine like human medicine.
ReplyDeleteI'm learning about vet specialists as part of fostering.
DeleteHopefully you won't be going to a human dermatologist.
ReplyDeleteI am very careful :-)
DeletePoor guy!
ReplyDeletePoor cat.
ReplyDeletePoor Smokey Joe. He was really born behind the 8 ball.
ReplyDeleteThe shelter's mission is to help all cats, especially those with extra needs
DeletePoor kitty is lucky to have access to decent healthcare, unlike a lot of humans. My cats like attention, however neither are lap cats. It can't be much fun to end up with a lap full of scab bits when kitty exits...🙀
ReplyDeleteYoungest Son was the one who ended up with the scab when he came over for Easter. All I get is a lap full of cat hair.
DeleteThis all must be so stressful for Smokey Joe-sounds like he is trusting you both though-are getting all this rain coming in today? Happy Friday and weekend
ReplyDeleteSmokey Joe is the most trusting cat I've ever had! Our rain isn't predicted until the middle of the night and will be gone by the middle of Saturday morning.
DeletePoor boy! Veterinary medicine is very sophisticated, and a dermatologist could discover the answer to his problems. I hope so - it's miserable being itchy and sore.
ReplyDeleteI hope it doesn't come to that, but it's good to know options exist.
DeleteSmoky Joe couldn't be in better hands. I'm glad you're loving him through all this and he has good medical care.
ReplyDeleteThank you. It's a real bonus that the shelter picks up all the doctor's fees.
DeletePoor guy is right. He sounds really wonderful despite his medical ills. FIV can make small things bigger. Do you employ the use of catnip? Lol, just a thought. Here, it makes everything better.
ReplyDeleteOther than catnip-filled toys we haven't looked into it. Maybe we should.
DeleteA cat dermatologist? I had no idea. Hope this gets sorted out.
ReplyDeleteYou might remember a couple of years ago my Eddie lost most of his hair and was miserable, itching all the time, steroids would give him some relief, but it simply would not go away. Finally saw a different vet in the same practice, he took a good scraping of Eddie's skin, spent two seconds looking at it under the microscope and determined that Eddie had body lice. Ivermectin cleared it up and the hair grew back and Eddie was his sweet self again. Have they done a scraping of his skin? Can't hurt, might help.
ReplyDeleteHis skin has been scraped a couple of times, checking for multiple things. Medicine has been prescribed accordingly.
DeletePoor Smokey Joe—he really has been through the ringer lately. It’s so tough when their immune systems are compromised and every little thing turns into a bigger issue. It’s wonderful that he’s in such a patient and loving foster home, though. There’s no better medicine than a warm lap to curl up on after a stressful vet visit! I hope those medicated wipes do the trick so he can get some relief soon.
ReplyDeleteThank you.
DeleteSmokey Joe is lucky to have you in his corner... or as his lap.
ReplyDeleteOh no, poor Smokey Joe. Hopefully the symptoms go away permanently, but I am so glad he has you guys in his corner!
ReplyDelete