Fur Loss

soka

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We just noticed that our 3 year old marble tabby, Tyran, is showing signs of fur loss on her back legs, from about mid foot up. My husband said he thought he noticed slight fur loss a while back but didn't give it much thought. Now you can really tell. The fur is thin and almost non-existent in places. It really has us worried but we are wondering what could be causing it. All the other cats are fine. She eats and drinks just fine. No excessive scratching or itching.

One other cat in the house has a patch of fur missing, but she only has two patches that we figured she got from wrestling with the older male cat in the house.

(I do keep mice and I noticed one of my mice has lost about 30% of her fur in patches. Could any of this be related?)

The fur loss on Tyran is only on her back legs. Nowhere else. Any thoughts? We will be calling the vet tomorrow.
 
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soka

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Does anyone have any thoughts on this?

As far as diet, they are fed Nutro Indoor Formula (green label).
 

carolina

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It might be ringworm, since both cats have it... You can take them to the vet for a culture.
 

sharky

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vet visit to rule out things like ringworm ... possible soy allergy from the food
 
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soka

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I'll try and get pictures of it. I don't think its an allergy. They've been eating the same food since I got her back in 06.
 

proudmamiof4

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Originally Posted by Soka

I'll try and get pictures of it. I don't think its an allergy. They've been eating the same food since I got her back in 06.
Is the hair loss symmetrical?
 

snake_lady

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Originally Posted by Soka

The fur is thin and almost non-existent in places. It really has us worried but we are wondering what could be causing it. All the other cats are fine. She eats and drinks just fine. No excessive scratching or itching.
Are there any sores in the balding areas? Scabs? Is it red?
 

white cat lover

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Cats can develop allergies over time.

Some cats do over-groom from stress - and it could be something simple like a change in weather that can stress a cat out.
 
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soka

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There is no redness or sores. We did just move so I guess stress could be an issue. She is acting normally and we have not seen her scratch or bite excessively. The fur loss is pretty even on both sides. We noticed a small patch on her front leg starting to lose fur. We have checked several times for fleas and there are none. I was thinking of switching her to a raw diet to rule out a food allergy. I was going to switch her to raw soon anyway so I might as well start now. We will be calling the vet tomorrow to set up an appointment. I'm so worried about my baby girl.
 

creepyowl

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Thanks!  That link was very helpful.  My little Emmett is having that kind of fur loss around his neck.  Thought it was from his collar at first, but he's still losing fur without the collar on.  I am calling the vet tomorrow to make sure everything is ok.
 
 
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