TheCatSite.com › Forums › Our Feline Companions › Cat Health › Hair loss?
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:

Hair loss?

post #1 of 8
3/8/10 at 5:54pm
Thread Starter 
I noticed that my 8 year old DLH has some hair loss and thinning hair. She has a baldish spot on her neck, thinning hair near her tail and on her neck, and an almost bald spot in the corner of her eye. I'll call tomorrow to make and appointment, but my next day off isn't until Thursday so I won't be able to go til then. Any ideas what can cause hair loss? She isn't over grooming, and the skin below the hair loss is not red or irritated at all.
Reply
post #2 of 8
3/8/10 at 6:27pm
A couple questions (and the vet will ask you these questions too)

Question number 1: Is she indoors only, outdoor only, or indoor/outdoor?
Question number 2: Is she itchy? If yes, a lot or a little?
Question number 3: Is she on flea prevention? If no, you want to put her on flea prevention, preferably something with a heartworm prevention, too. These products, like Revolution or Advantage Multi, also protect against intestinal parasites, so they are worth every penny.
Question number 4: Has she been sneezing? If yes, is it frequently or occasionally, and is it after exposure to certain things?

Cats and dogs alike can ironically enough be allergic to fleas; it can cause skin irriation from the allergic reaction, called flea allergy dermatitis (FAD), which is usually characterized by hair loss above tail and sometimes around the neck. A vet visit is warranted, along with flea prevention, as the skin could be infected and can grow to a major problem if left untreated.
I'm not saying that this is what your kitty has, and I definitely still recommend a vet visit.....

Hope your vet visit goes well!

Okie
Reply
post #3 of 8
3/8/10 at 6:49pm
Time to see the vet and The above questions will be asked by most vets is some areas of the country...

Has she had a Senior blood panel with thyroid done in the last 6 months ? If not please ask the vet to do this if he/she does not first suggest it to you... That is a classic sign of many "senior" cat issues..

Have you changed her diet ? type of food ? brand ? even flavor
Reply
post #4 of 8
3/8/10 at 7:04pm
Thread Starter 
Question number 1: Is she indoors only, outdoor only, or indoor/outdoor? Indoor only, has not set foot outside in the 8 years she's been here
Question number 2: Is she itchy? If yes, a lot or a little? Not itchy that I can tell at all
Question number 3: Is she on flea prevention? If no, you want to put her on flea prevention, preferably something with a heartworm prevention, too. These products, like Revolution or Advantage Multi, also protect against intestinal parasites, so they are worth every penny. She has been on flea prevention of some sort her entire life. Have not recently changed to anything new. Usually use Advantage or Advantage Multi. I have 10 cats, I cannot afford a flea infestation, and have never had one
Question number 4: Has she been sneezing? If yes, is it frequently or occasionally, and is it after exposure to certain things? No sneezing whatsoever


Sharky, she has not had a senior blood panel done. She was just at the vet for her rabies shot in December and they didn't suggest it. Didn't think cats were seniors at 8, thought that was just dogs. I will have them do that.
Reply
post #5 of 8
3/8/10 at 7:05pm
Thread Starter 
And no, theres been no diet change recently, but I have changed several times over her lifetime and theres never been a reaction. Right now they are all on TOTW and have been for about 2 years.
Reply
post #6 of 8
3/9/10 at 4:37am
Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm......................
Reply
post #7 of 8
3/9/10 at 7:40am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Okie89 View Post
Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm......................
My thoughts exactly...she has an appointment at 4:10 on Thursday. Luckily, she is also insured, so they can do whatever they need to do to figure it out and it's covered!! Yay!
Reply
post #8 of 8
3/11/10 at 11:36pm
Make sure they do a thyroid test too, that can be a symptom of it. I hope everything comes back ok!
Reply
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:
  Return Home
  Back to Forum: Cat Health
TheCatSite.com › Forums › Our Feline Companions › Cat Health › Hair loss?