Bald spot discovered on Enzo's belly

[ty3535]

Hopefully I'm overreacting. (I usually do). Today during a typical petting session, I noticed a skinny bald strip probably about 1 1/2" long.

I haven't noticed any over grooming and he doesn't appear to have fleas (he does have a cat enclosure, so he is occasionally outdoors and fleas were my first thought).

He hates trips to the vet so while I'll certainly take him if it could be serious, I'm just trying to get an idea of all possible scenarios. I did read that cats will sometimes lick when they have a UTI (which he has had previously) but he is not exhibiting any signs of that and is using the litterbox normally and has a normal output of urine, so I'm probably going to rule that out.

Any ideas would be very helpful! Thank you!

 

[mrsgreenjeens]

No idea just based on that description.  Is there any rash accompanying it?  Is it red or swollen, or is there any scratch there.  Is it near his "man parts"

since you  mentioned he over licks when he has a UTI, or close to one of his nipples, or where.  Have you seen him licking this particular area at all? 

Honestly, even if you answered yes or not to those questions, I still don't think I'd be able to guess at what would cause a bald strip.  I would say to watch it and if it bothers him, then get it checked, if it grows larger, get it checked, etc.  OR, if it bothers YOU, get it checked

BTW, IMHO, one cannot overreact when discussing their furkids

 

[ty3535]

Haha thank you, I'll try and remind myself of that the next time I freak out about something =) it's not scabby, bumby or red. It just looks like his hair somehow made a disappearing act on a little strip of his belly. All you can see is the pink of his tummy. It doesn't bother him when I touch it, and I haven't seen him over-licking. It's not near his man parts, it's up a tad further. He isn't exhibiting any signs of a UTI so I'm ruling that out. He had an ultrasound about 10 months ago and they had to shave his belly so I'm wondering if maybe the hair there didn't grow in as thick as it had been and just from normal grooming it's come out. I'll definitely be watching for other bald spots and keeping an eye on the current one to make sure it doesn't get any bigger.

 

[ty3535]

Just wanted to update-it was his heating pad!! I have switched out a pad to one where I can control the heat setting and his hair is starting to grow back. Thank you so much!

 

[mrsgreenjeens]

Wow, who've thought it?  Glad you figured it out and switched it to something else.  Whew

Thanks for the update. It might prove useful to someone else

 

[ty3535]

Wow, who've thought it?  Glad you figured it out and switched it to something else.  Whew

Thanks for the update. It might prove useful to someone else :high5:

I hope it does! I was so worried. But the vet said she has seen hair loss like that when during surgery warming blankets are used if an area gets too hot. She said in those cases she has seen instances where the hair does not grow back, but luckily his is slowly but surely coming in! Thank you so much!