Can Sulfodene be used on a cat? OTC suggestions?

[cowboymom]

I work at a small feed store in a small town; a lady came in today looking for a medicated shampoo for her cat. She had a list someone had made for her that was full of good feeding recommendations but it also included a antibacterial/antifungal shampoo. Older cat has non-specific skin problems and itchies. Owner took a bag of Taste of the Wild and will come back tomorrow to see what I come up with for shampoo options.

I have Sulfodene shampoo on the shelf but it’s not listed for cats. I have Sulfodene liquid. I have flea shampoos but it’s not a flea situation, at least not an active one. We had a terrible summer for fleas in the area. I have chlorhexidine 2% on the shelf…several varieties of dog shampoos for skin issues but none of them are listed for cats and none of them say right on the label antibacterial/antifungal and she is trying to get that specific product. I have a hydrocortisone spray for dogs. I wish I had the Sulfodene lotion on the shelf but I don’t; I can offer to order it in for her but it will take a week (though that would give the food upgrade time to kick in too).

I know it would be ideal for the cat to go to the vet and get an accurate diagnosis and prescriptions but honestly, the vet options are not good in our rather impoverished small town and the cat owner can’t afford to do much more right now. We are very often the only medical care that some of the animals get and I try to do the best I can with what I can keep on the shelves…this one has me stumped.

Any ideas?

[Simkie]

Well, the website is of no help.

The ear cleaner can be used on both cats and dogs

but

The skin medication is labeled only for dogs

Were I faced with an itchy cat, I would try a 95 or 96% canned food, with a novel protein. EVO Venison or perhaps BG Quail.

[Horsegal984]

Actually if you click on label information under the shampoo it says on the label “not for use on cats”. So I would not reccomend it.

[cowboymom]

Dang, nope can’t recommend it then. I’m out of it on the shelf until tomorrow and what I found in my searches so far didn’t turn up that specific recommendation.

Not sure what to tell her. I agree that the diet change is going to be the most important but she sure has her heart set on some shampoo for her itchy cat.

[Simkie]

Well, if environmental, ANY decent shampoo should help.

If not environmental, then shampoo probably won’t help, anyway. Recommend something soothing!

[Horsegal984]

Another product that may be worth carrying in the future is Zymox, it’s a good all around shampoo but also has great anti fungal/antibacterial properties as well. Plus the same exact bottle can be used on horses dogs and cats.

[Marshfield]

An oatmeal shampoo would be an option.

[cowboymom]

Thanks, I’ll check my vendors for Zymox, that sounds like something I want to have on the shelves.

And I do have a couple good oatmeal shampoos that I’ll show her today. They’re all dog and she’s very determinedly wanting a cat shampoo but I think at least one of them has “cat” in the fine print.

Thanks folks!