We've established that Tank's PF (feline pemphigus foliaceus), is triggered by seasonal changes. From winter to spring and from summer to autumn is when it flares up. I mentioned in my post a little over a week ago that her's had been triggered and that it had started on the delicate tips of her ears. It's super stressful knowing how bad it can get.
Luckily for us, it was short lived. This isn't to say that it couldn't come back this year, but I'm happy to report that Tank's ears are now clear and her fur healthy.
So what did we do?
- Sterilize her e-collar and put it on her as soon as the first signs appeared.
- Cleaned off the crusts and "dirt" with all natural baby wipes, using a soak and massage method.
- After the ears had dried, she was given a very liberal application of Hydrocortisone 0.5% cream. We used finger gloves as to avoid absorbing the medication ourselves and to ensure her body would receive the most medication.
- If there were any bleeding or wounds, a topical antibiotic (Polysporin, Fucidin) was applied, following the Hydrocortisone 0.5%.
This was done three times a day at the beginning, then tapered down to two and finally once a day. It's important to keep the area as clean as possible, so that a secondary infection doesn't creep up. Imagine applying cream on to a would and then using the litter box and getting clay dust stuck in there. Gross, right??
After a about a week and a half on this routine, no new blisters appeared and Tank was relieved of her dreaded e-collar. Happy girl! Her ears are a little patchy and discoloured from where her crusts were, but in a couple more weeks they'll be back to normal.
My curtains have holes in them. You can't see them in this picture, but I assure you they're there. Somebody is obsessed with trying to eat my seedlings! I'm trying to source some organic wheat grass or oat seeds in bulk so I can grow some for her/us to munch on.
