Cat is loosing her fir HELP

Hi All

My Friend has a cat that has completely lost all of her fir.  She is one of the ferals we took to her house.  My question is... Is there any other reason a cat would loose fir other than flea?  We are fighting fleas but i have never seen a cat completely loose all of their fir like this one has.  Can't really aford to take her to the vet.  Need advise please...

A fungal skin infection or even mites can cause them to lose all their fur (scabies/mange mites), but it could alsobe a flea ALLERGY.  Not all cats are allergic to fleas but some are and theyir body overreacts and the skin gts inflamed and the hair falls out.    There are treatments for both of these conditions involving shampoos and in some case internal medications.  Some of the currently available flea medications will also treat mange mites, and REVOLUTION is one of them.  It can be ordered online, and I think you may need a prescription for it in the U.S. but not in Australia.  You may want to try this since you are fighting fleas also. 

If fungus is the problem, there is a good antifungal shampoo called Ketachlor, which is  a combination of ketoconazole and chlorhexadine.  The combination does a good job wiping out even the most persistent ringworm and probably any other fungus the cat might have. 

Ok so fungal infections can that be contagious?   We noticed that another cat is starting to loose her fur on her back side by her tail.  The other cat her fur started coming out on her side and like went up to the back and tail. The top of her head and face still has fur.  They are both still eating and drinking. 

Rena Alvarez said:

 
Ok so fungal infections can that be contagious?   We noticed that another cat is starting to loose her fur on her back side by her tail.  The other cat her fur started coming out on her side and like went up to the back and tail. The top of her head and face still has fur.  They are both still eating and drinking. 

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ringworm is very contagious IF that's what it is. 

OK thanks. I don't think it is ringworm.  There are 7 cats at her house and only one other is starting to loose her fur. I noticed the last time I was over there that the fur has become real course.  Would mites or scabies or mange make their feel course.  Scabies people can get that also right.  No person is itching. It almost looks like the fur is breaking off.  She isn't completely fur less its just real short like its breaking off.  Its very strange.

any other signs/symptoms? scratching? redness? flaking skin?

Ringworm can cause either a non-pruritic or pruritic alopecia by damaging the hair shaft. The hair then breaks off and is shed into the animal's environment where it can contact other animals and transmit the disease.

well they are all scratching.  there are fleas.  but no redness no flaking skin, just the hair.  I have heard of  no see ums.  What is that?

If there are fleas then why not treat for fleas, and see how things progress? But I highly recommend this cat be seen by a vet!

you do need to treat for fleas. you can get Advantage II or Frontline Plus over-the-counter. maybe get some Capstar for immediate relief. 

Ok thanks.  We have been treating for fleas.  But with 7of them it is very hard to get them all doused with the fleas stuff.  I bought on line some of that diatomaceous earth stuff for the rest of her place.  How well does that work?  At this point stuff really needs to work good.  We put advantage II on them last month.  We also bought some spray stuff called Zodiac carpet and upholstery pump spray flea killer.  I hate fleas so when I think I have them, I go overboard buying stuff to kill them.  The other problem is my friend isn't the neatest person.  Don't get me wrong she keeps up on the litter boxes and that stuff but overall house cleaning she not the greatest.  I know fighting fleas you have to clean the heck out stuff.

Rena Alvarez said:

 
Ok thanks.  We have been treating for fleas.  But with 7of them it is very hard to get them all doused with the fleas stuff.  I bought on line some of that diatomaceous earth stuff for the rest of her place.  How well does that work?  At this point stuff really needs to work good.  We put advantage II on them last month.  We also bought some spray stuff called Zodiac carpet and upholstery pump spray flea killer.  I hate fleas so when I think I have them, I go overboard buying stuff to kill them.  The other problem is my friend isn't the neatest person.  Don't get me wrong she keeps up on the litter boxes and that stuff but overall house cleaning she not the greatest.  I know fighting fleas you have to clean the heck out stuff.

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most important thing is to vacuum a lot. 

Start by vacuuming thoroughly, especially below drapes, under furniture edges, and where your pet sleeps. It is estimated that vacuuming can remove up to 50% of flea eggs. Vacuum daily in high traffic areas, weekly in others. Each time, seal your vacuum bag in a plastic bag and discard it immediately.

The flea stuff for the house has to have an insect growth regulator. You will also need to treat the yards and cellar as well. (Watch you don't use a flammable spray around pilot lights.) Not sure what you could use outside, but Precor 2000 is a good one for indoors.

But seriously, it might not just be fleas.