sore spots

Question
QUESTION: I have two older cats between 12 & 14 years old. Both have itching NO fleas with raw red patches.Both are inside cats they have a screened porch they sit in the windows.I have tried various diets they will NOT eat natural home made diet they will only eat dry food.Could it be from mites and if so how can I tell? And what is the cure? Thanks Pat

ANSWER: Allergens can be in the house (Dust mites, molds) or they can be outdoors.  Many tree and flower pollens will go right through a screen.  So if the cats are very itchy, it could be an allergy.  If it is ear mites, your vet would need to look into the ear canals and see the mites.  Ear mites are treated with a topical insecticide medication for the ear and a systemic medicine to kill any mites on the skin.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: I know they don't have ear mites been there done that and i know what to look for. So I'm thinking skin mites but what is a systemic medicine? And would I have to get this from the vet?

Answer
A systemic medicine works from inside the body and covers the whole body.  Allergies occur from a series of reactions inside the body.  A drug like DepoMedrol, which is a long acting steroid injection, or an oral medication, like ATOPICA, may give them some relief from allergies.