Adopted cat today; small hairless spot from being microchipped???

Hi all,

I adopted a 1-2 yr old sweet girl from the local Humane Society today, haven't named her yet. While I was visiting her there, prior to deciding to adopt, I noticed a little pinkish hairless spot between her shoulder blades. Not a lump at all, just a little spot the diameter of a "pea".......fur missing to this area, the skin pinkish. I asked them about it, concerned it was possible Ringworm. I was assured it was just from the microchip. ??

I took her to my own vet on my way home, just to get her rabies shot and get a good check-over. He didn't think it looked like ringworm; he took the black light to the area, it didn't glow like you would expect w/ ringworm. He figures it must be from the microchip. I'm still kind of concerned. I have 4 other cats (she's currently quarantined from them).

I can't seem to find any info online about cats losing fur at the site of a microchip. It almost looks like there had been a scab there before but it fell off and now it's just a hairless pink spot.

Her coat is sleek and shiny and she's in good health. Her temperature was up a bit at my own vet, at 40C. He figured it was just due to stress and excitement.

She's had both sets of shots at the humane society (2nd set was Nov 25).

OH...it was on Dec 3rd that she was microchipped (was spayed that day, too).

Thanks
Lisa

Neither Bijou nor Mika had a loss of hair like that for their microchip. Did your own vet check to see if she really does have a microchip? Did the shelter give you the microchip information in case you ever have to update? We had to change the address when Mika moved in with us with the microchip website.

FYI - not all ringworm glows under a blacklight. I know that doesn't help your worrying any though.

In regards to the hairloss - another thing to consider - has she had any flea/tick preventative applied? I've seen some cats at the shelter react to the flea/tick topical & loose hair.

I have no experience with microchipping, so can't afford any thoughts in that regard.

Originally Posted by white cat lover

FYI - not all ringworm glows under a blacklight. I know that doesn't help your worrying any though.

In regards to the hairloss - another thing to consider - has she had any flea/tick preventative applied? I've seen some cats at the shelter react to the flea/tick topical & loose hair.

I have no experience with microchipping, so can't afford any thoughts in that regard.

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That's what I was thinking as well.


Congratulations on your new baby!!

Originally Posted by Yosemite

Neither Bijou nor Mika had a loss of hair like that for their microchip. Did your own vet check to see if she really does have a microchip? Did the shelter give you the microchip information in case you ever have to update? We had to change the address when Mika moved in with us with the microchip website.

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Yes, forgot to mention that. My Vet did scan the area and it was positive for the microchip.

This spot really concerns me. I read that 50% of ringworm cases don't glow under a black light. What if she has that and once I let her out of her room in a couple of days to mingle with my other cats, she spreads it to them? I guess I'm just being paranoid but I do worry about adopting cats from places like the H.S.....

Originally Posted by white cat lover

FYI - not all ringworm glows under a blacklight. I know that doesn't help your worrying any though.

In regards to the hairloss - another thing to consider - has she had any flea/tick preventative applied? I've seen some cats at the shelter react to the flea/tick topical & loose hair.

I have no experience with microchipping, so can't afford any thoughts in that regard.

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Yes, I'd considered that too...like if she'd had Revolution or something like that; I know that can cause a bit of furloss there but her records don't show her having been given anything like this. I've got her case notes that go back to when she was first brought in (in September) and it shows all meds and such.

The only meds she's had other than the iso for her spay surgery was Metacam post-op for that, and the deworming med (Milbemax, 2 doses a month apart....from what I can read the other name for this is Interceptor and it's an oral tablet, not topical). And her vaccinations....Felovax (1st and 2nd).

she has short white sleek fur to most of her. I've checked her good and no other hairless spots anywhere, particularly her face/head which is where my Vet said ringworm usually presents.

*If* it is ringworm - it spreads easily. The spores move through the air - you can spread it on your clothes, hands, etc.

Ringworm sucks, big time - but it is survivable. I think incubation time is 2 weeks. Don't quote me on that, though.

Originally Posted by white cat lover

*If* it is ringworm - it spreads easily. The spores move through the air - you can spread it on your clothes, hands, etc.

Ringworm sucks, big time - but it is survivable. I think incubation time is 2 weeks. Don't quote me on that, though.

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In the event that is could be ringworm, what should I do? Keep her locked up in my spare room for 2 weeks? Poor thing. Would everything in that room need to be tossed? My sofa? cat post? cat beds?

I don't know what to do. How can I figure out for sure what this is so that I can act accordingly? She's going nuts being locked up, she's a very friendly, sociable girl.

Should I take her to another Vet for a second opinion? I guess they could do a skin scraping and check the skin cells under a microscope.

I just don't know how I'm going to figure out what to do here.

I think it is more likely to be a reaction to a flea medicine or an injection of some kind then ringworm... Bugsy has that big time with Revolution for example, and Lucky with Advantage...
Check the paperwork from the shelter if he/she was recently de-flead. Considering you are just taking kitty home, and the location (in between the shoulder blades), that is what I would bet on... It is good to know what they applied however, so you can apply something else next time.

If this was around the eyes, the ears, or tails, then I would be worried about ringworm.... on your case.... I don't think so.... Enjoy your kitty and congrats!!!! Oh, WE NEED PICTURES!!!

Our family cat Midori had that reaction to Revolution. I'd ask the shelter if she had a flea treatment applied there and what brand so you can choose another one if you need to use it in the future. Our Midori reacts to Revolution but is fine with Frontline or Advantage.

It's a fairly large-bore needle used to inject the microchip, and it almost always leaves a small scab. Sterling's was most noticeable of the three of them, and, of course, when it came off, it left a small spot where the scab came off, taking a little hair with it. Watch the spot and see if hair is growing back in.

You CAN get a topical treatment and put it on the spot, if you're really concerned. It won't hurt anything. Get a little tube of athlete's foot cream, probably with micanazole in it. Just rub a dab of it into the spot each day. The generic version of that little tube probably won't cost $2.

Originally Posted by mrblanche

It's a fairly large-bore needle used to inject the microchip, and it almost always leaves a small scab. Sterling's was most noticeable of the three of them, and, of course, when it came off, it left a small spot where the scab came off, taking a little hair with it. Watch the spot and see if hair is growing back in.

You CAN get a topical treatment and put it on the spot, if you're really concerned. It won't hurt anything. Get a little tube of athlete's foot cream, probably with micanazole in it. Just rub a dab of it into the spot each day. The generic version of that little tube probably won't cost $2.

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Ahh, this is reassuring to read. I have read that they use a pretty large bore needle to insert so it does seem logical that it could cause a scab. Maybe this happens in more cats but people just don't notice it? My other adopted kitty Hobee was neutered/had microchip implanted within a shorter time frame of me adopting him but his fur is a little long and he's a meatier boy. Maybe it just wasn't so obvious? This new little girl is very petite, he fur is very short....and it's white fur and it's just more obvious? 3 of the H.S. staff told me not to worry, that it's just from the microchip but I also got the impression they thought I was a pest for asking questions; I got the distinct impression they don't want you to question that cat's health...they just want you to adopt. I kind of had to make a big deal of making them test her for FIV and FeLV prior to adopting her. I explained to them that I have 4 other indoor cats who I've had for years and I wasn't about to potentially expose them to an FIV+ cat. I got the impression they thought I was a pain in the arse, but whatever.

I do have a little tube of miconazole, I could put some on it. Was going to put some Panalog on it but decided against it because the skin really doesn't look the least bit inflamed, it's very light pink is all. Of course I know that wouldn't do anything if it's ringworm.

The very very center of this little area has a tiny white dot in the middle. My own Vet thought that was maybe where the scab center was, where it fell off. However, my Vet is very passive and he minimizes everything which I've come to expect.....and in some cases it's okay to 'wait and see' but with 4 other cats, I gotta be as sure as I can.

And to the others, she definitely hasn't had anything for fleas. I have all of her notes which indicates all meds given to her from the time she came into the H.S. and there's nothing about this. Each entry also included notes from the Vet who examined her; they were pretty detailed and no mention of fleas at all.

My boys didn't have that problem when they were chipped, but Xander did get a quarter size bald spot from Revolution.

When I was working with the rescue, applications of Advantage, etc. were always given when they first came in but not always written on their records.

I would just watch her for a few days. I think Ringworm would be more scabby/scaly and would start spreading pretty quick. They can do a scraping at the vet, it takes some time to get results.

The needles that they use to microchip are fairly big, perhaps she scarred in the area where they inserted it, and hair doesn't grow on scars.

My friend's grey cat has a tiny bald spot between his shoulders where he was microchipped too, it's been there as long as I've known her and they never had a problem with ringworm.

Someone asked for a pic, here she is! (hope I do this right?)

http://s775.photobucket.com/albums/y...t=DSC02393.jpg

Something else to consider, though I don't see why they would do this, she could've been shaved a bit to do the microchipping. Both of my girls are chipped and they weren't shaved, but it could be a possibility.

She's a cutie, too!! Is she settling in well?

Originally Posted by stephanietx

Something else to consider, though I don't see why they would do this, she could've been shaved a bit to do the microchipping. Both of my girls are chipped and they weren't shaved, but it could be a possibility.

She's a cutie, too!! Is she settling in well?

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I was wondering about that, clipping....but it's such a small round area, maybe not even the size of a pea (that circumference or diameter), thinking a clipper would leave a different kind of hairless spot, not so small or round?

She's incredibly sweet. So friendly and cuddly, giving me tons of head-butts and nose rubs, loves me to scratch her chin such that she's sprawl out on her back and let me rub her belly. Purrs up a storm. eating very well. Using the litterbox well. Knows what to do with the scratching post big time LOL. I put her into the carrier and let her sit in the hallway for my other cats to sniff her; nobody hissed at all. I then let my friendliest one into "her" room and she growled like a grizzly, hair standing up on back...LOL...my older girl Cleo didn't give a dang, she was too busy rolling around with a catnip toy. then my rangy one Hobee (the youngest, he's almost 2 yrs) snuck into the room and then all he11 was about to break loose so i had to whisk her into the bathroom. Hobee didn't care about her; but she cared about him. She's been keeping guard at the door in her room almost constantly....he sticks his paw under, she sticks her paw under, it's hilarious. Going to lock my cats up and then let her wander around the house for a bit this afternoon.

Hi there, i see this is a rathe rold post but if anyone sees this thats good, my cat has a bald spot liek the size of a quarter where they injected the chip, this is very upsetting tome, i know who did the procedure and i wasnt told about the problem til li noticed it! i want to report this vets, how can i do this? can my cat grow back its hair? i want to remove this device either way how much will that cost?

This post is crazy old but my kitten got microchipped (I fostered him since 4 weeks) and he has a big bald spot on his shoulder blade its shiny too and he never had an injury. I adopted him when he was ready to be adopted and he currently is battling something unheard of in cats where platelets destroy each other via immune response