Topaz is wearing a donut around her neck to prevent her from scratching ulcers on her lips and lesions on her chin. (This photo doesn’t show the ulcers and lesions as the images are pretty graphic).

Topaz is a sweet solid grey kitty who came into our care in October of 2023 as a six month old kitten. She was found by a kind woman wandering the streets in an area known to have stray dogs and lots of traffic.  Obviously a dangerous situation for a kitten to find herself in. We don’t know if she was lost or abandoned, but all efforts to find her family failed and she was brought into SPCA’s care.

Topaz was very friendly and adjusted to her foster home quickly. She also initially seemed healthy. However, we noted Topaz had a swollen lip. Initially we thought she had an injury or swelling from a flea bite.

We weren’t expecting that almost 1 1/2 years later we are still struggling to find a remedy to counter the affects of environmental allergens that are causing chronic “indolent ulcers” on her lips as well as lesions on her chin and back leg.

We have tried special prescription foods to address possible food allergies. And a wide range of different medications to address environmental allergens. We are now working with a veterinary dermatologist to explore possible immunotherapy (allergy shots).

This has been a long road for Topaz. We are searching for treatment alternatives that are both effective and easy enough for Topaz to endure. Everyone knows cats are finicky eaters, don’t like taking medication and certainly won’t like getting shots!

If you would like to help support Topaz’s veterinary treatment, please sign up to be her Guardian Angel.