In many cats, the hair falls constantly during the natural process (molting) as part of normal cellular renewal. it occurs to adjust to the changing season. It’s completely normal process in which there is no reason for concern. However excessive moulting, hair loss before bald patches or bare skin, or the loss of whole tufts of wool is not normal, and may indicate a specific problem.
What is alopecia (baldness) in cats?
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Alopecia, or baldness is a term used to designations of hair loss or fur in animals that may due to many different reasons. Cats are usually molt most strongly in spring and autumn, and, of course, long-haired cats molt significantly more than shorthair ones. If you think that the cat sheds too much, sometimes it can help her simple additional care and grooming. Extra care the cat’s fur will ensure its cleaning from the old fur and will stimulate the growth of new healthy coat, which will help to keep it in good condition, giving you the opportunity to check and wool, and your pet’s skin.
If you notice that your cat’s fur is actually rare and thin, especially in places where dandruff is present, or, as you think there is skin irritation or soreness, then your cats may have problems that you have to solve.
The main causes of baldness cats
There are over a hundred different reasons why your cat hair can potentially fall out and the veterinarian can take solution and take an animal skin sample to examine it with using a microscope.
The most common causes of hair loss in cats are:
Flea infection
Severe flea infections often result in hair loss and hair in cats, as the saliva from flea bites is strong irritant that can cause skin inflammation and subsequent hair loss. If you suspect your cat of alopecia, then make sure there are no fleas on it (and in your house).
Skin allergy
As with flea bite allergies, there are other irritants that may lead to allergic reactions in cats on the skin. Allergies can be caused by supplements, certain foods, household chemicals, and even plant pollen.
Thyroid disease
Hyperthyroidism (thyroid hyperactivity) and others problems with the thyroid gland can lead to baldness in cats. Hyperthyroidism is diagnosed using an advanced blood test and can be controlled with veterinary drugs, containing thyroid hormones. After starting treatment thyroid-related hair loss is usually ceases.
Lichen or dermatophytosis
Ringworm is a fungus of the skin that spreads. circular spots on which the hair falls out pretty soon. Lichen, as a rule, is easily diagnosed and cured. using antifungal drugs.
psychogenic dermatitis
Dermatitis is a generic term for problems with skin, which in turn leads to hair loss. Psychogenic dermatitis is a term used to refer to dermatitis, which occurs due to excessive cat care by itself: licking, biting or scratching the skin and coat so that that the hair is thinning and falling out. This type of dermatitis is not caused. some kind of problem with the skin itself, but refers to psychological factors that can be stressful for the cat and cause her compulsive behavior. Ecology and any other cause of stress, such as a change of home, change of ownership, bullying by others pets can change your cat’s condition and lead to psychogenic dermatitis.
Ticks and parasites
Different types of parasitic ticks can lead to loss hair and skin irritation in cats due to severe itching, which can cause a cat to scratch itself to despair. Your vet can quickly detect ticks or other parasites by examining A sample of your pet’s skin under a microscope. Then he can prescribe an appropriate antiparasitic drug.
As already mentioned, this can be difficult enough for the owner of the cat to understand and determine the cause of hair loss at his pet. Therefore, even if you are sure about the cause of baldness, It’s always useful to talk to your veterinarian to make sure that you correctly determined the diagnosis and follow the right method treating the related problem.
