Many Reasons for Hair Loss in Cats

Hair loss in cats can have many causes, and the diagnosis of a specific cause would normally require a visit to the veterinary office to obtain a health check and often, some diagnostic tests. The tests we perform to help us identify a potential cause include skin scrapings, scotch tape impressions, fungal culture, skin biopsy, and general health tests to check for chronic diseases that sometimes lead to immune system deficiency (such as FIV (Feline Immunodeficiency Virus), FeLV (Feline Leukemia Virus)), complete blood count, and organ and hormone function tests. If the assessment does not confirm a physical cause such as parasitic, hormonal, infectious, allergic, or rarely a cancerous condition, we will look further at the behavior of the cat.

To obtain valuable clues as to the source of the problem, your veterinarian will enquire about your cat’s home environment. Sometimes a stressed cat will over-groom areas of its fur coat. Changes in household routine can trigger cat worry and the cat responds with excessive licking and chewing as a compulsive activity. Rarely, certain breeds are prone to inherited alopecia (hairloss) syndromes.

Treatment will depend on the result of the patient evaluation. If the skin has itchiness, pain, redness or oozing, other supportive care may be prescribed on a symptomatic basis. If allergy is suspected, changes in diet, household routine, and anti-inflammatory medications may be required. Sometimes, the laundry detergent perfumes that the cat bed is washed in, the perfumes in litter, and other household contact chemicals may be the inciting agent. Food allergy can sometimes trigger itchy skin. If a behavioural condition is suspected as a default diagnosis, your veterinary team will discuss ways to help ameliorate stress.

Don't forget about the nails. Any condition that leads to discomfort here can cause paw chewing. Overgrown toenails and nailbed inflammation can attract the cat to over-groom here. Rarely, foot pad discomfort can lead to foot over-grooming. Contact irritation, autoimmune problems and other inciting agents may affect the foot pads, and lead to excessive grooming here.

It is unusual to be able to make diagnoses of skin conditions without a full evaluation. Many different problems can all appear on the surface with the same symptoms, so professional consultation is essential.

Reprinted with permission from www.animalhealthcare.ca

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