Following are selected posts to the Holisticat (TM) Mailing List on the subjects of skin and coat. There's a lot of information here, and the posts are arranged in ascending chronological order. If there is a particular word you're looking for, it's probably best to utilize the "Find in Page" function in your edit menu!

Happy hunting :)

<31 Jan 99 From: Susan Re: Jarryd's dry skin>

Hans, I don't know about dosage of fish body oil, but did anyone suggest Willard Water for Jarydd's coat?  CJ Puotinen says this will help with improving skin and coat. You can put WW in the drinking water and apply it topically to improve assimilation of nutrients. (1 TBSP of WW per quart of drinking water for animals under stress; 2TBSP per gallon of water for daily use) She also notes that brushing the fur will help with circulation.

We buy the ingredients at the health food store, then pulverize them in a coffee grinder.  We use relatively equal parts of St. John's Wort and Valerian and a little less chamomile.  I stuff the capsules myself.  We use 2.5 cm. size capsules (about 1 inch for my American friends).  Lately, before I give it to Jarydd, I've been putting in about 6-7 drops of Willard Water just before I give it to him so the capsule doesn't degrade from the wetness.  I coat it in veggie oil so it's slippery and make sure to position it vertically down his throat, not horizontally.  We've had no trouble getting the capsules down although he doesn't like it of course.  I can't say the problem is gone, but it's definitely not worse and usually better.  We've only been using the Willard Water for a week, so I'm not sure yet what help this might be.  By the way, just so you know, Jarydd doesn't seem drugged at all, he's still totally playful, just not quite as stressed out.  If you need more info., just let me know.

Hans

Jnglecats@ wrote
<<Hans, do you do this yourself, or do you buy the capsules already prepared?  Our problems do indeed sound similar, I will try the Willard Water.>>

Hey everyone --

<<Kelly is back to biting and overgrooming himself again.  He is  creating sores on his belly and insides of legs.  He is clearly
miserable and so am I!>>

Lee, so sorry to hear about poor Kelly :(

<<Does anyone think an animal communicator would help?>>

I dunno. My experience w/ using communicators has been getting responses like "it's itchy" not "it's itchy becuz".... YMMV, of course, but I wouldn't think it would be the best course....

<<I'm considering neutering him just to see if I can get him back on his > feed>>

Lee, in the Encyclopedia of Natural Pet Care, says that hormone imbalance from neutering can contribute to skin allergies, so maybe his being intact for now is a good thing (in addition to his show career)

I can't remember if anyone referenced the above book already for you, but it's likely someone has. The author says diet is the big deal, but since that's not feasible right now, here are some other highlights:

• Digestive enzymes and ACV to help assimilate nutrients from food since allergic pets usually have impaired digestion
• antioxidants like A, C and E, the mineral selenium and lipoic acid
• Willard water in the drinking water and applied topically
• Liquid (colloidal) trace minerals can be applied full strength to hot spots, irritated areas and healing wounds (my note: this book is for dogs too, she doesn't specify if it's cool for cats, and she also says that essential oils are okay and they aren't okay for cats, so draw your own conclusion)
• Bee propolis tincture or liquid extract. I drop per pound of body weight twice daily for 10 days, then half that ammt once daily for 2 weeks
• 1 teaspoon aloe vera gel per 6-7 pounds of body weight, added to food (start small and work up to this does) gel can also be applied topically
• Brew a very strong chamomile tea and apply to irritated skin
• Licorice root and yucca contain natural cortisone and help relieve inflammation. Licorice is specific for adrenal glands, which are often stressed or depleted in pets w/ chronic coat problems. Use licorice in small ammts (1/4 - 1/2 the usual recommended quantities) for long-term use

On Fri, 19 Feb 1999 14:35:59 PST  <cleopatraseven@ > writes:
<<it won't mat so much?  Perhaps a mixture of some essential oil like juniper and water ? I don't want to put anything on her that she shouldn't ingest.  Also, I have been using goldenseal mixture >>

From what I have been told by an aromatherapist, essential oils are dangerous around/on cats so I'd nix the juniper idea.   Course u can still brew a tea from loose dried herbs and apply on  kitty, I would think.

Sometime back, Kathy B recommended cornstarch for helping w/ mats.  My black Persian used to love being groomed and was always so soft and fluffy. Being a typical Persian, he always mugged for the camera too..he was so neat <sigh>  My Himmie OTOH hated being groomed so I can relate; it was a real chore to groom her.

Someone called in on a radio show today and talked to the guest vet who is Baranof's Chinese med vet.

Their cat had a skin problem that parasite shots, antiobiotics, and shampoos/dips had not helped.

Dr. thought if it were a fungal infection that the following might help:

alcohol tincture of propolis
take 1 tsp and dilute in 1 pint of water
apply to sores daily
if it is fungal infection it should clear up in two weeks

Guess what I'm going to be looking for tomorrow!

cjh@ wrote:
<<a mouth exam this week while she's under anesthesia and drain the abscess and pull the rotten teeth.>>

I'm posting something separately about anesthesia which I read on another list.  I doubt that you need to worry too much with a young cat, but it was pretty informative on the whole subject.

<<I'd like to give her some acidophilus.  Should I give that to her with each meal, or wait until the course of antbiotics is over?>>

That's a matter of opinion; some feel it's a waste to give with antibiotics or that it may "use up" some of the antibiotic that ought to be fighting bad bacteria.  I personally give some anyway, on the theory that it is still better to have good bacteria in there competing with the bad ones.  I give more after the antibiotics are done, though.  If she has a problem with dairy, or you're not sure, you can use a dairy-free variety.

<<I've never seen a cat with such profuse dandruff.>>

What about adding a little flax oil which is both anti-inflammatory and good for dandruff?  I know there's some question as to how well cats can use plant-based EFA's, but it seems to work for some of us.  Add gradually, if as you said she's not used to any rich food.  If you get the teeth thing cleared up, it may improve too, as it could be her system trying to eliminate toxins.  I'm sure the better diet (esp. if you can get her on raw) will be a good long-term fix.

Hi Sharon and all

<<At the vet, I noticed that the black and white girl kitty seemed to be shedding profusely. Later last nite, I noticed that the hair on kitty's neck near the back is awfully thin.   Can see the pink very clearly.  Today I noticed that the backs of her legs are almost bare of hair.    When I grasp and pull lightly on the boy kitty's hair none comes out, but when I do that to the girl kitty, a whole little clump comes out. I feel that something isn't right.   Has anyone ever experienced this..>>

That little baby is so young! I don't have any experience with tiny kittens, but Diane Stein in Natural Remedies for D*gs and Cats (do you have her book?) cites a number of causes for skin and coat ailments - parasites and fleas, contact dermatitis, thyroid deficiencies and estrogen imbalances, too much cortisone and chemicals (among others) but she says the main non-parasite source is food allergies, plus the effects of chemicals and contaminants from pet foods and the environment.

Your little gal's system is probably overloaded with stress and toxins from her eventful first few weeks - the amoxicillin, while necessary, might be contributing.

Stein has a lot of recommendations but for a baby that young you sure need to take it easy ... one thing she mentions is Calc phos cell salts for "hair loss and poor nutritional background". She recommends 6X potency, given twice a day for a few weeks, but that's for an adult cat - help, Sandy, Leah - you could put a couple of pellets in a brown dropper bottle with an oz of spring water and give a few drops for a few days and see if it helps.

Give her lots of love, warmth, an optimal diet and quiet ... wish I had some more suggestions for ya.

<<Simon started to pull out his hair before I changed his diet.>>

Nancy, refresh my (horrible) memory - is Simon eating an all-raw diet now? And if so, for how long?

The hair pulling *could* be a couple things: boredom/stress, a food allergy, or a skin condition (probably a few other things, too, this is just all I can think of). Could also be related to the CRF, tho I don't know exactly how...

One of my boys used to pull his fur out, but has since stopped. He is allergic to grains, so that may or may not have been related to it. When I saw him doing it, I'd give him 400IU of Vit E and a cod liver oil capsule. He stopped within a day or two.

In a message dated 6/12/99 2:13:40 AM Eastern Daylight Time, jlpresto@ writes:
<< In the last 3 weeks Onyx's dandruff has gotten worse.  I didnt expect it to  improve overnight from raw, but I am concerned that it is worse.  Also I  want him to look nice for some guests I have this week. >>

Sounds like Onyx's problem more than anything is lack of trace minerals..(as  it is for most sick kitties). Why don't you include some Trace Minerals from  Trace Minerals research? Also I bet due to all the drugs poor Onyx has been  on he has a yeast over infestation which also could be causing the dandruff  skin problems. If I were you, I'd at least be giving colloidal silver internally and not sweat the vitamins so much if he is getting a high quality diet now.  If you can get Dream Coat by Halo,and maybe the occasional vitamin A and D. AFter he gets over the IBD and you stop giving him the CS then I'd perhaps add vitamins...

<<I looked on the holisticat homepage but I  don't see anything about dandruff.>>

Judi, ya just didn't look hard enough! Under "Articles" is a link to Nancy's great dandruff article: http://www.holisticat.com/dandruff.html

<<In the last 3 weeks Onyx's dandruff has gotten worse.  I didnt expect   it to improve overnight from raw, but I am concerned that it is worse.>>

For those who believe that cats 'detox', this sounds like a classic detox symptom.... I'm gonna be awkward in my wording, but the skin sheds toxins and waste in the form of dandruff, so it's not a bad thing, but a good thing. I used a slicker brush when the cats went thru their dandruff stage.

I agree with Sandy and Jean and the EFA suggestions. Dandruff can just be dry skin, and EFAs will help that. Altho if the DermCaps aren't helping, who knows....

<<Any suggestions for the big bath?>>

Nancy has shampoo suggestions in her article.

On Saturday, June 12, 1999 7:38 PM, jlpresto [SMTP:jlpresto@ ] wrote:
<<I wonder is it okay to just add dandelion flower and sage?  Those are  things  I can access.  Just a tiny pinch, right? And safflower oil instead of  flax  is okay, do you think for now?  I can look for flax oil but I really  think  Ill have to purchase that in the U.S.>>

I'm not sure about the dandelion flower usage. I've never used that part of  the plant medicinally---well, except for the dandelion flower wine, but  that medicinal use was an entirely different thing. ;-) Has anyone else  used the flowers medicinally?

The roots are used as a laxative, and help clean out the liver. It's an  escellent detoxifying herb and that's why it works so well on skin  conditions. The leaves are a great diruretic since they are full of  potassium and actually supply more to the body than the diruretic effect  takes out. If you use the leaves, yes, a tiny pinch is all you should use. I would only use it for a week or so and then take a few days break. Resume if needed again. I believe Onyx has some other health problems, right? Make sure using a diuretic isn't a problem with that if so.

Sage can be used in tiny bits too, but too much is toxic -- how much I don't know, but certainly more than a cat would eat willingly. Sage is good for treating diarrhea and tummy upsets too so would probably help when switching foods.

Safflower oil is fine for fat, but the flax adds other good things. Can you find flax seeds by any chance? They are much easier for me to buy than the oil and they don't spoil as easily as the oil. Just grind a little bit as needed.