Many times when we adopt a kitten or even an adult cat, whether it comes from the street or from the pet store we find that it has bald head or legs.
By bald I mean areas of hairless skin. If your cat has a wound on the back of the ears, then read this other article.
You may be reading right now because you just realized those bald spots and you are very worried. You may have been told that it is scabies or ringworm and it is quite likely that you have read many things on the internet and now you are quite scared.
In that case I am going to give you only two tips:
1. Calm down. Quiet, nothing happens. It is very common to find kittens with bald so it is probably a common infection with easy solution ... Keep reading a little more and you will see that it is nothing so dramatic.
Now, do two simple checks. First, see if the part that has no hair is behind the ear. And secondly, check that your cat has not been licking in excess. If you are not sure I recommend you read this article.
If you do not have mites and have not caused yourself baldness due to excessive grooming caused by stress or discomfort, it may be a skin condition.
2. Call the vet. No home solutions or experiments. My recommendation from the internet is to stop searching on the internet. Unfortunately, the guidance we can give you from the network will be prior to treatment. You need a treatment. The good news is that this treatment is simple and cheap and in a matter of days your cat will be perfect.
According to my lifelong veterinarian, Dr. Olivares, most of the time we would be faced with a fungal infection (dermatophytosis), better known as ringworm. It will be the veterinarian who diagnoses whether we are having a fungal infection or if it is otherwise.
I think my cat has fungi (ringworm). What will happen now?
According to the specialist Manuel Olivares, an adequate diagnosis of the disease is essential since the fungi are contagious and can be passed to other animals in the house and even to people.
The diagnosis: The vet will always do it, in this case in the clinic. Typically, the hair is studied, the lesions are observed with a special light or a culture is performed.
The treatment: It depends on the amount of injuries that exist, and the age and condition of the kitten, but the treatments can be local, in the form of lotion or cream that is applied to the skin or baths and even oral medication. As you can see it is not very complicated, so I recommend you do it as soon as possible.
How could my cat have been infected?
Why if my cat had nothing when he came home and had no contact with other animals and has always remained inside has caught this infection? The answer is that the kitten already had the fungi that caused the process in his skin but his defensive system had them controlled. When a stressful situation occurs for the kitten, such as a move to a new home, the defensive system fails and fungi begin to grow rapidly and cause the disease.
I hope that now you are much calmer knowing what those baldness are, but remember that you have to be a veterinarian is to confirm that they are fungi and prescribe the appropriate treatment, the sooner the better.
SYMPTOMS OF HAIR FALL IN CATS
The worrying factors develop when your cat loses excess hair, causing excessive grooming, which causes baldness mainly on its belly, sides, hind legs, ears, along the back and also on the tail. The most common cause of this behavior is due to the itching, and the need to relieve it by licking.
If you observe any of these symptoms in your cat, you should go to the veterinarian to rule out the presence of parasites, hormonal alterations, allergies, or even behaviors related to anxiety or stress. Blood tests and skin samples will help the veterinarian to rule out certain pathologies and determine the possible causes.
External agents, such as fleas, are one of the main reasons to consider. In cats, unlike dogs, the visibility of fleas by owners is lower, since felines tend to ingest them. Hence the need for the veterinarian to explore your cat in depth, and determine if the presence of fleas is the root of the problem he is suffering.
Allergies, whether of a food nature or due to environmental conditions (such as dust or mites), is the second cause of hair loss in cats. The insistent licking of your cat, in response to the discomfort caused by the allergy, can cause that, in addition to baldness, you detect dandruff or wounds on your skin. In these cases, the veterinarian will recommend an appropriate treatment to alleviate the situation (medication), as well as a specific dry diet (hypoallergenic food) to reduce symptoms.
If the veterinarian has already ruled out the pathological factors, he will be inclined to behavioral issues, which can also explain why your cat loses or tears its hair. In this scenario, you should contemplate stress and anxiety as some of the main reasons that justify the obsessive licking of your cat, and know the consequences that this produces on its fur and skin.
Cats are extremely susceptible to changes. Any alteration in your routine, or the presence of someone new in your environment, are elements that can distort your well-being, and cause an obsessive level of grooming that affects your coat. If this is your case, it is advisable to contact a veterinarian specialized in animal behavior (ethologist) so that he can guide you on the guidelines to follow.
Possible causes, symptoms and treatments of baldness in cats
Why does my cat have bald spots? Why does my cat tear his hair out?
During these Christmas days, we have realized that Petit some have appeared small bald on its hind legs. Concerned about its appearance, we have taken it to the veterinarian and he has explained to us what are the diseases that generate this symptom and what treatment we should carry out with Petit
Motivated by what happens to our cat, we have thought about writing this post to help you know more about bald in cats, Why does the cat have hairless parts or lose a lot of hair, know what diseases can cause them, what symptoms can appear and what is their most effective treatment.
It is very important that before any change in the physical or behavioral aspect of your cat, always go to your trusted veterinarian.
Let's look at the possible causes that generate baldness in cats:
The Ringworm or dermatophytosis It is a disease caused by fungus and that affects the skin of cats. This health problem is very infectious and contagious, both other animals and humans, so do not hesitate to take it to your trusted veterinarian.
Contagion can occur by direct contact with blankets, litter boxes, toys, etc. Although being a fungus, it can also be easily moved through the environment by spores, facilitating contagion.
There are some factors that can favor the appearance of ringworm: poor diet, parasites or other previous diseases, stress and anxiety, and poor living conditions in your environment: lack of hygiene, humidity and heat, lack of light, etc.
This mushroom affects skin, fur and nails, since it feeds on keratin. The areas where the fungus lives is where the cat drops its fur, because ringworm cannot live in areas where there is hair. Therefore Lack of hair is the biggest symptom of ringworm in cats.
Tinea Symptoms
- Alopecia located or generalized by the body.
- Lam> Once the veterinarian determines his diagnosis, a treatment that lasts between 1 and 3 months, depending on its severity. Must be persistent and have patience until completely eradicating the fungus.
Possible treatments
- Perform cleaning in the affected areas with pov> 2. Scabies
The Scabies It is also a disease that It affects the skin of animals. It is caused by mites, and it is highly contagious can be transmitted by physical contact with another cat or animal. Scabies eIt's very easy to diagnose and treat, so the trusted veterinarian will proceed to the relevant tests to apply the treatment quickly.
Symptoms that your cat has fleas
- They can be seen in the cat's fur
- Dirt in the fur generated by the feces of these parasites.
- Scraping and excessive grooming.
- Presence of small spots of blood on the bed or blanket where the cat rests.
- Low mood, no desire to play and lack of energy.
Once we can detect the presence of fleas or the veterinarian gives his diagnosis, we will proceed to the treatment recommended by the veterinarian to eradicate fleas on the cat.
4. Anxiety, stress and allergies
Your cat may be stressed or feel anxious. Cats are prone to stress when there is a change in their environment. Find out if it is due to a new family member, whether it is a baby or another animal, or if there is a change at home, a move or is left alone too many hours.
Sometimes our cats develop obsessive behaviors like tearing your hair and licking excessively, because in situations that are stressful the frequency of their baths can increase, since licking the fur is liberating endorphins, making your cat feel better.
He boredom and frustration It can also cause your cat to tease her hair, looking for somehow to get distracted. Always leave toys Y scrapers within your reach so you can entertain yourself, especially if you leave it alone for many hours. It is important play with him every day, as well as give it the necessary space in the house and fill it with pampering, love and love when you need it and ask for it.
The bald in cats they can also be from allergic origin, for example to food or environmental type, such as any product or perfume that you are using at home. Allergies in cats are difficult to diagnose, yet the veterinarian is the professional who will help you find out the cause of their baldness or their fur peeling.
recommendations
In our case, with Petit, the vet recommended us to apply a deworming pipette in case the small bald spots that have appeared on the hind legs are produced by allergy to some flea bite. Let's see if this improves our pussy.
Remember that prevention is better than cure. Give your cat the best living conditions:
- Hygiene and brushing.
- Avoid possible infections with other animals. Apply antiparasitic.
- Healthy eating - The best feed for your cat - Y Fresh water in abundance.
- Avoid stress and anxiety, give him pampering and affection when the children and above all, if you suspect that your cat may have any disease or observe changes in their physical or behavioral appearance, Do not hesitate to go to the veterinarian immediately.
This post is informative, and is only a guide or guidance. Visit your trusted veterinarian for any questions you may have and especially before starting any treatment to your cat, even if it is a natural treatment.
And has your cat ever had bald spots?
Thanks for your comments!
