My cat is going bald on her hind legs. Should I be concerned? Baldness, or alopecia, isn't "normal" in animals (with exception of certain breeds, like the Chinese Crested (hairless dog). So anytime a bald spot is noticed, your veterinarian should have a look.
Extreme itchiness and the resultant licking, chewing, biting will cause hair loss (traumatic alopecia). This can be seen as blunted stubble in the affected area. But what about situations where there isn't any itching? When the skin looks normal - not red, inflamed or seemingly bothered? You still need to have it checked out. It could be a hormonal imbalance (i.e. hypothyroidism - more common in dogs), ringworm, or what is commonly known in cats as "psychogenic alopecia". This is now recognized as an obsessive compulsive behavior wherein the cat, continually "over-grooms" an area, perhaps due to stress. Another feline baldness condition is something called Eosinophilic Granuloma Complex (ECG), and this is an allergic condition in the skin, often with accompanying scabby areas. As you can see, there are many conditions that can cause baldness with or without itching in cats and dog. Other conditions not mentioned above include parasites other than fleas (Demodex mites, Notedres mites). Also, look under "Feline Endocrine Alopecia." http://www.bobmckee.com/Client%20Info/NewFiles/endocrine%20alopecia.html NOTE: Not all fungi will "glow" under a Wood's Black Lamp/Light. Cats CAN have skin/hair fungus infections that do NOT put off a neon yellowish or greenish glow. Just because you or your vet cannot see a "glow" does NOT imply that the cat is fungus free. The only way to 100% rule out ANY fungi infection is via a hair CULTURE. Hair cultures are NOT the same thing as a skin/hair SCRAPPING. Furthermore, Ringworm is NOT the only fungus infection that cats can contract (although it is the most common.) Unfortunately, cats can also contract Athlete's Foot and Jock Itch, both in which are cousin fungi to Ringworm. Lora Hi all, I have a question my FeLV+ Amber has a skin problem, she has formed two spots with no hair loss and some scaling.....Does not glow so I do not suspect ringworm, any thoughts? Thanks Cherie Have a purrfect day Cherie ______________________________________________________ Yahoo! for Good Donate to the Hurricane Katrina relief effort. http://store.yahoo.com/redcross-donate3/
