Bald spots?

Since about a year ago one of my cats developed bald spots on it's back and at the beginning of the tail, It's getting worse with time but every now and then It shows some temporary improvements, seems a bit random to be honest. The vets already tried putting her on different fungal infection medications, antibiotics and did hormonal exams, those medications didn't work and the exams didn't accuse her of anything. I live in a apartment so my cats never go out, haven't seen excessive itching or scratching since this started, I don't think there was any ambient changes that would make an allergy be coherent.. Tried looking through this http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?c=1+2141&aid=195 and the only thing that seems to fit is feline acquired symmetrical alopecia as the only symptom seems to be the hair loss. Currently It looks like this:

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(those things look like black lesions on the skin but they're actually small patches of fur on the middle of the bald spot).

Basically, I'm in this tough spot right now, I don't want to leave this as It is but I'm still in college and really don't have much to spend, those medications and exams were very expensive and to make things worse my other cat just had to do a pyometra surgery. I've never tried asking for opinions about this on forums but the vets I've been going to seems to be quite clueless on what this. Anyone here already had to deal with something similar?

Hello and welcome to TCS. That is a tough one, I hope someone here has an idea. I have had to deal with baldness caused by ringworm and stress overgrooming, but the pattern doesn't correspond to either of those.

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I once switched the diet of a group of cats that had mange from dry food to cooked chicken and the hair grew back.  The ear mites also decreased.

The theory was that dry food doesn't contain much calcium or calcium in a usable form (calcium carbonate is not very usable).  The natural diet of a cat includes eating bones of prey, which have lots of calcium (calcium phosphate).  Also, cats usually drink from mudholes, which have minerals in the water.  For me, when I see a bald patch, I think nutrient deficiency.

Potbelly said:

 
I once switched the diet of a group of cats that had mange from dry food to cooked chicken and the hair grew back.  The ear mites also decreased.

The theory was that dry food doesn't contain much calcium or calcium in a usable form (calcium carbonate is not very usable).  The natural diet of a cat includes eating bones of prey, which have lots of calcium (calcium phosphate).  Also, cats usually drink from mudholes, which have minerals in the water.  For me, when I see a bald patch, I think nutrient deficiency.

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That's actually quite interesting, at no point I thought of that and no vets ever brought that up. While saving money to take my cat to the vet again I'll try experimenting with that.

Are you feeding a dry only diet containing grains? If so switch to wet and see if their is a difference.

bonepicker said:

Are you feeding a dry only diet containing grains? If so switch to wet and see if their is a difference.

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Combination of wet and dry on a daily basis.

My cat has the same thing but his belly is bald and his front and hind legs, the vet has not been helpful thus far and says it is anxiety and should get better with play time. Recently I saw this brown spot on his leg, could it be mange? I know it's rare in cats but what is causing this spot, it was on his belly in the middle and now on his leg. He is constantly licking himself, I feel so bad I can't help him!!

It is very frustrating not to be able to get a clear answer from your vet. Have you tried seeking a second opinion from a another vet, possibly one that specializes in dermatology? 

Anne I have not tried that and honestly didn't realize there were vets who specialized in areas like that! Thanks for the tip, I will try that!

dkd0005 said:

@Anne I have not tried that and honestly didn't realize there were vets who specialized in areas like that! Thanks for the tip, I will try that!

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to find a board-certified veterinary dermatologist:

http://www.acvd.org/tools/locator/locator.asp?id=16

Thank you everyone!! So helpful, it's awesome!

dkd0005 said:

Thank you everyone!! So helpful, it's awesome!

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I had the tummy baldness on one of mine and Zyrtec completely healed it. I must say I gave it to her on my own but maybe ask your vet about it as maybe it will comfort your furbaby until you get to the main cause...

If the cat is otherwise healthy I would just leave it well alone.