My cat has some weird allergy that the vets cannot identify - something they called the head and neck disease. Of late she her itching appears to have somewhat reduced and she aso is not developing scabs as she used to, but she still scrtaches herself sometimes. I have managed to keep her nails clipped! However, I have noticed on some occasions she manages to break her skin between the ear and her eyes. The itching goes away completely if she is given those steroid pills, one every day. The question is, can the cat be kept on those pills forever. If not, then how long at one time, followed how much an interval of “pill free” time before she can be brought back on pills?
IANAVet. However, I get steroid shots periodically to help with my arthritis. I do know that there are some long-term consequences of regular use, so I think you’re wise to be concerned.
That said, I’d like to suggest something to help with healing when she does manage to break the skin. I learned it from another dog breeder, some 30 years ago, after my Saluki unwisely challenged the oldest of my Danes. I was directed to give 'Meerah 25,000 IU of vitamin A daily until the skin healed. Please note I am not suggesting you give your cat that much. I just don’t know what the maximum safe dosage would be for a cat. My best guess for a safe dosage that will still be helpful to her (more may be safe if you feed her dry food, and especially if you’re not already giving her fish oil) is, if under ten pounds, give her one 8,000 IU caplet weekly; if over ten pounds, give her ditto, but twice weekly. You can buy vitamin A very cheaply in any discount drug store (probably cheapest at WalMart), and the caplets are small enough for a cat to swallow.
Oh, yes, and she will shed less, if she gets regular “A” supplements. I discovered that with my dogs. A dog getting sufficient regular doses of “A” won’t shed at all (but do not give it to a pregnant female during the first month).
I take a substantial daily dose of vitamin A for several reasons, but one of them is my numerous miserable allergies. And I’ve noticed that my need for allergy meds increases if I reduce my “A” intake. Mind you, this is what any scientist calls “anecdotal” evidence. 