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Alopecia reiter to hair that is lost in patches. The location of the loss can help in the diagnosis. Other symptoms can include redness of the skin or an inflammation where the hair has fallen out. Your cat may also be licking this area or even scratching it.
Because there are so many reasons for hair loss, it can be difficult to determine the root cause. Your vet may order a series of tests, ranging from blood and urine analysis to scraping the skin for cells or taking a biopsy.
Following are some of the more common reasons for hair loss along with treatments for each.
Allergies
Cats can be allergic to any number of things in their environment, from mold and pollen to dust and plants. Food can also trigger allergies. This allergic reaction can inflame the skin, causing hair loss. Allergies are treated with a combination of antihistamines and steroids. Your vet will begin treatment by trying to determine the cause of the allergy before administering allergy shots.
Cat Fleas
The saliva from flea bites can cause small, crusty red bumps to form and result in hair loss due to excessive itching and secondary infection. A flea control product can be used to kill existing fleas and keep new ones away. However, the cat's environment needs to be cleaned as well to rid the area of eggs. Supplementing you cat's diet with Omega 3, 6 or 9 fatty acids can also help soothe the skin and reduce hair loss.
Ringworm
Ringworm is really a fungal infection, not a real worm. The name comes from the red circles with white centers that form. Ringworm can cause the surface hair to fall off. It is treated with oral and topical medications.
Skin Fungus
If your cat comes into contact with other animals or the dirt regularly, he may pick up some fungus spores. These attach to the hair or skin and you'll notice an infection between two and four weeks after exposure. If your cat has skin fungus you'll see brittle areas or areas on the coat that look as if it had been shaved. In kittens, you may see red areas instead on the paws, face and ears. A skin test will determine the presence of the fungus, which is then treated with anti-fungal shampoos and creams.
Psychogenic Dermatitis
When your cat is stressed, angry or even bored, he may lick himself endlessly. The treatment is behavior modification, finding ways to keep your cat from becoming bored or anxious and eliminating any obvious sources of stress.
Other Possible Reasons
Severe shock, surgery or even a fever can cause temporary hair loss, or keep it from growing at all for one to three months at a time. Usually this type of hair loss resolves itself without medication or intervention.
Hair loss in cats is not only unsightly, but unsettling. If your cat is suffering from alopecia, you will want to contact your veterinarian to determine the cause of it and find an effective treatment. Properly diagnosed and treated, your cat will be able to remain your "very furry friend."
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Source by Chris R Palmer
