You could give your cat Benadryl, but we don't recommend it. It doesn't last for very long, only about four to six hours and nobody's ever going to redose their cat every four to six hours with Benadryl. It could cause sleepiness and we would dose it depending on the size of your cat. So even though Benadryl is not particularly unsafe to give a cat, it's not very effective and I would never recommend that you give your cat any over-the-counter medications, even Benadryl, without consulting with your veterinarian.

Food allergies are diagnosed with a food elimination trial. So we have to prescribe a hypoallergenic diet, or we call it a novel protein diet which is a food that only has a protein that your cat has never eaten before and we are gonna feed that specific food for usually about 8 to 12 weeks for a food trial time. In that time, your cat gets no other foods at all. They only get the prescription diet and treats that we might prescribe, and we're looking to see if your cat's symptoms improve while they're on that food and that's how we diagnose food allergies.

We can prescribe some medication that can be taken orally to treat skin allergies. We can also partner again with a dermatologist to do customized allergy shots for your cat with seasonal allergies.

Yes, cats can actually have seasonal allergies. They can be allergic to grasses, trees, molds, fleas, and things that are just part of our natural cycle of seasons. They can be hard to diagnose. Often we have to partner with a dermatologist. Cats can have allergy testing on their skin just like you and me, and when that happens, we're looking to see what they are allergic to, and we want to customize some allergy shots for them. So they do get seasonal allergies, and usually, you're going to see your cat presents with just intense overgrooming of their hair coat and they're just thinning their hair. That is usually the main symptom of seasonal allergies in cats.

An allergic reaction in cats will present as an intense itch, usually of the skin. They can get hives, so you'll see little hairs puff up. That's really, really rare for us to see that, but that can happen. They might get swelling around their eyes or their face and usually like intense vomiting or diarrhea, so GI reactions. So that would be an intense allergic reaction.

Palliative care focuses on controlling pain, nausea, and any side effects from the cancer. It's also important to consider the impact on the human-animal bond. If medication is disrupting this bond or causing misery for the cat, it may be time to consider whether it's fair to continue. For any questions about end-of-life care, reach out to your veterinarian.

The quality of life is an important indicator. If your cat is no longer exhibiting behaviors that make them who they are and is instead constantly sleeping or hiding, it may be time to consider end-of-life decisions.

If your cat is not eating, is lethargic, or is experiencing side effects like sedation or decreased appetite, these could be signs that your cat is suffering from the treatment. It's important to report these symptoms to your veterinarian so adjustments can be made.