Why do cats and cats go bald? 18 causes of hair loss, and treatment

Causes and symptoms

Healthy hair in cats is shiny, smooth, with strong hair follicles. With the development of disorders in the body, alopecia may occur. Its areas can be symmetrical, with complete or partial hair loss.

Even an inexperienced owner will notice problems with a pet’s fur, since there will be large quantities of it around the apartment. You can try to determine the cause of the appearance of bald patches.

With some diseases, cats begin to scratch the affected area. If the violation is more serious, the skin begins to peel off, ulcers and scabs appear on it. Sometimes seals form.

The reasons why a cat's belly is going bald can be:

• allergic reaction to food or any of its components;
• prolonged stress state;
• mechanical damage;
• avitaminosis;
• hormonal disorders;
• liver pathologies;
• weakening of hair follicles;
• skin diseases of various types.

Allergy

Allergies appear in response to new foods, vitamins or medications, food additives, insect bites and other irritants. Symptoms: receding hairline, skin may become red or covered with small pimples, scratching.

In most cases, symptoms go away if the allergen is removed from the diet.

Avitaminosis

Baldness in a pet can be caused by a lack of vitamins A, C and B or minerals. Alopecia areata is characteristic, when areas without hair have a round shape. They form extensive foci, merging together. The skin is bright pink.

Stress

Factors that caused stress could be moving, a new family member (child, another animal). At the same time, the cat begins to rapidly go bald, which is associated with severe shock and stress.

When under stress, a cat usually tears its hairs on its own. Susceptible breeds: Siamese, Himalayan, Abyssinian. Their restored hair will be darker in color.

Hormonal disorders

If a cat's belly goes bald, it is often a sign of endocrine pathologies. They can be caused, for example, by neoplasms in any organ. Hormonal imbalance due to castration or sterilization can affect the thickness of the coat.

Skin diseases

Bald areas will be symmetrical. Their location is noted on the torso, limbs, sides and abdomen. Alopecia can occur at any age, and in this case it does not depend on gender.

If the damage to the skin is caused by a fungus, it will become dry, with the formation of a rash and peeling. With trichophytosis or microsporia, areas without hair will have redness, scabs, scales and even wounds.

Prevention

Hair loss in cats is not uncommon. If your pet's fur is peeling off, this most likely indicates a possible malfunction in the animal's body, and insufficient attention to this problem can lead to serious consequences. Therefore, the owner must do everything to avoid the harmful consequences of baldness in his pet.

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To prevent your cat's belly from becoming bald over time, you can take these preventive measures:

• coat care;
• timely vaccination;
• periodic medical examinations;
• exclusion of stressful situations;
• periodic treatment against parasites;
• avoiding cat contact with sick animals.

It is easier to prevent an animal from getting sick through prevention than to subsequently treat bald cats. But, if signs begin to appear that the cat is losing hair, then the animal needs to be shown to a veterinarian and the cause of the disease must be identified as quickly as possible. This will shorten the treatment period, because it is much easier to fight diseases while they are in the early stages.

Establishing diagnosis

Algorithm for making a diagnosis by a veterinarian:

1. collecting anamnesis (information about previous diseases, introducing new foods to the diet, recent moves, etc.);
2. inspection;
3. general blood analysis;
4. hair microscopy;
5. scraping the skin to identify fungal infections;
6. Ultrasound and x-ray as needed.

It is possible to accurately determine the root cause only by excluding already known points. For example, if there are no bites or changes in feeding, an allergy can be ruled out.

An examination of the animal is mandatory, during which it is necessary to carefully examine the belly and paws. It is equally important to establish the condition of the hairs themselves and evaluate the affected area.

Bare spots can be either extensive or very small. If your cat has recently undergone surgery, the hairs at the site of the suture may thin out or stop growing altogether. It often happens that they fall out at the injection sites of medications.

The cat's fur looks like it's been trimmed

In a situation where the cat's fur appears to be trimmed, the owner should first rule out ringworm. Baldness can be caused by parasites of the genus Trichophyton and Microsporum and is dangerous for humans (children and people with weakened immune systems). A sick pet has areas without hair with smooth edges, flaky crusts, and broken hairs.

A fungal infection most often affects the face, ears and tail of a pet. In advanced cases, damage to the stratum corneum and deformation of the claws can be detected. Animals experience itching, become apathetic, and lose their appetite.

Ringworm in cats

If symptoms are detected, it is necessary to undergo a mycological examination at a veterinary clinic and begin treatment for the cat as soon as possible. To avoid the spread of fungal infection, the sick animal is isolated and treatment is carried out in compliance with personal hygiene measures.

Therapeutic measures

If a cat has a bald belly, treatment is carried out only after an accurate diagnosis has been established. Activity:

• eliminating symptoms, for example, relieving itching;
• for allergies caused by insect bites, special drops, sprays or shampoos are prescribed;
• Infectious skin diseases can be cured by prescribing antibiotics;
• food allergies require eliminating the allergen and prescribing a diet using anti-allergenic food;
• in case of stress, the source of emotional tension is eliminated, sedatives can be prescribed;
• the lack of vitamins is compensated by adjusting the diet and giving a vitamin complex;
• fungal infection is removed using special ointments and creams;
• In case of hormonal failure, hormone therapy is prescribed, after which the cover is completely restored.

Principles of treatment

When starting to treat allergies, it is necessary to identify the allergen.

Reactions to flea and other insect bites can be eliminated by local treatment of the skin and hair with insecticidal agents. Particularly popular are drops on the withers - Bars, Barrier-super, Frontline.

Food allergies are eliminated by eliminating hazardous foods from the diet and prescribing antihistamines. Dust – creating conditions for a comfortable living of the animal: regular wet cleaning of the premises, cleanliness of the habitat.

Atopic dermatitis, due to the genetic nature of the disease and its chronic long-term course, is treated throughout life using maintenance therapy and the prevention of secondary pathologies.

The most common disease of the pancreas is pancreatitis. Since baldness can occur only with severe pancreatitis, treatment consists of intensive care, namely:

• elimination of pain – antispasmodics, painkillers, anesthetics, analgesics;
• combating dehydration - saline, colloidal solutions, droppers, injections;
• reduction in the production of destructive secretions - atropine and analogues;
• relieving edema and slowing down pancreatic functions - hormones, ribonuclease;
• removal of intoxication;
• severe case - surgical intervention.

Following a diet containing foods that have enveloping properties is mandatory.

Pyoderma and bald spots.

Help for pyoderma consists of a complex of therapeutic measures: local treatment, oral medication, injections, herbal medicine. For local treatment, anti-inflammatory gels, tinctures, streptocidal ointment, Cefakure, Maxidin are prescribed.

Antibiotics – Tylozolin, Lincomycin hydrochloride, Clindomycin, Cephalexin, Erythromycin. Gamma globulins, Staphylococcal anatoxin, Evinton, Neoferon, Bactoneotim. Healing drugs – Gamavit, Katazol.

Herbal medicine – chamomile, celandine, calendula, sage, eucalyptus.

Hyperthyroidism

The goal of treatment for hyperthyroidism is to reduce the level of thyroid hormones in the blood.

There are two main treatment methods available: drug support throughout the entire life cycle and surgical removal of the gland. Long-term use of medications that inhibit the production of thyroid hormones containing thiourea is indicated. Medicines that support the functioning of the heart and the entire vascular system. Medicines that support kidney function.

Treatment of hypothyroidism comes down, first of all, to replenishing the deficiency of the hormone that led to the disease. The main drug prescribed for pathology is Levothyroxine sodium. The dose is selected individually for each animal, depending on the existing deficiency and body weight. The course for complete recovery is designed for four weeks of use. At the same time, we can take drugs that slow down the binding of serum proteins - glucocorticoids, salicylates.

Consequences of injury

Observing a cat after it has fallen and been severely injured, you will notice that it has also lost a lot of hair on some parts of its body. Sometimes injuries are visible and easy to diagnose, but they can also be hidden, which is even more dangerous.

Hair loss is sometimes the only visible symptom of internal injuries. Therefore, having detected the appearance of alopecia after a fall of a pet, you need to immediately report this to the veterinarian observing the cat.

Bald spots in combination with fearfulness and wariness quite accurately indicate the stress the cat has experienced. With this state of psychological health, the pet does not want to be handled, does not allow itself to be petted, looks for secluded corners, and may flinch from sharp and loud sounds.

What should you do if your cat is losing hair on its stomach and hind legs?

Treatment for alopecia depends on the reasons that caused it. What should an owner do if their furry pet suddenly begins to lose fur? First of all, contact a veterinarian and have your pet examined. Many causes of baldness can be eliminated with the help of vitamin preparations, proper diet and daily routine, and special shampoos. In case of helminthic infestation or flea infestation, the pet is prescribed antiparasitic drugs.

The sick animal must be taken to the clinic. Pathologies such as diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, endocrine disorders, and cancer cannot be cured without the help of a specialist.

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