Very confusing vet visit to diagnose bald spot on belly

Today I took Enzo (9 years old, neutered male) to the vet because he has a bald spot about 2.5" long and 1/2" wide down the center of his belly.

He doesn't itch or over groom. He does not have fleas.

The spot is smooth and pink with no scales or scabs or bumps.

It started out as a spot about the size of a dime but has now grown longer, over a period of months.

The vet has suggest ringworm (doesn't look anything like ringworm from photos of cats I have seen with it. It is not round or swirly). She also suggested mites which upon further research is quite rare in cats and does not fit the profile of what he has (location, symptoms). She said she doesn't think it's a tumor because there are no lumps. He appeared otherwise healthy, good weight, heart rate, temperature ect.

She took blood work and will check everything including thyroid. She also did a urinalysis. However, the visit has left me with endless possibilities and no real answers regarding the bald spot. She suggested different tests to rule things out (ringworm and mites which I don't believe it is) which involve things such as skin scrapings and biopsies. Not only do I not want to put him through unnecessary testing, these tests to rule things out aren't cheap.

His behavior, eating habits or bathroom habits have not changed. His does not come into contact with other cats or dogs so it is not likely somethzing that it is contagious. He is an indoor cat and there are no other animals in the household.

I have read hyperthyroid can cause hair loss however he is exhibiting no other signs of that.

If anyone can help me with suggestions as to what this might be I would greatly appreciate it! Thank you!

Can you post a picture?

CatPack said:

Can you post a picture?

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Yep here it is

Wow, that is unusual, and I agree that it doesn't look like a typical fungal infection.

Is there anything in the house he could be rubbing against?

It's so weird and it has me so worried. I never catch him rubbing on anything and I'm home with him all day so I'm sure I'd notice. He is in primarily three spots (not including my lap!) my husband's cloth (and very old) computer chair, his k&h heated kitty thermal pad, and his outdoor cat enclosure which is primarily wood with a carpet on the ground. I'm so confused by the fact that he isn't scratching, he isn't licking, it doesn't phase him when it's touched. It's so smooth and pink you would think I'd have just taken a razor and shaved it into his belly! Due to the appearance and lack of symptoms I'm just almost ruling out fungal infections entirely. I'm not sure what that leaves. The hyperthyroid, but like I had said he has no other symptoms, and the vet said hair loss isn't even overt common with hyperthyroid issues. He had his belly shaved about a year ago for an ultrasound (he has IBD) but the hair mostly grew back in except for a small dime sized area. But now it has gotten much larger and as you can see the rest of his fur grew in just fine. I'm at a total loss!

I should also add that since the dime sized area grew to a larger size (over a period of months) it has not grown for at least the last two months.

Here's a better picture

Ty3535 said:

It's so weird and it has me so worried. I never catch him rubbing on anything and I'm home with him all day so I'm sure I'd notice. He is in primarily three spots (not including my lap!) my husband's cloth (and very old) computer chair, his k&h heated kitty thermal pad, and his outdoor cat enclosure which is primarily wood with a carpet on the ground. I'm so confused by the fact that he isn't scratching, he isn't licking, it doesn't phase him when it's touched. It's so smooth and pink you would think I'd have just taken a razor and shaved it into his belly! Due to the appearance and lack of symptoms I'm just almost ruling out fungal infections entirely. I'm not sure what that leaves. The hyperthyroid, but like I had said he has no other symptoms, and the vet said hair loss isn't even overt common with hyperthyroid issues. He had his belly shaved about a year ago for an ultrasound (he has IBD) but the hair mostly grew back in except for a small dime sized area. But now it has gotten much larger and as you can see the rest of his fur grew in just fine. I'm at a total loss!

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ty3535

I'm not sure if this is the cause, but one of my cats had the same sort of issue, he was losing hair on his belly, but did not have mites or fungus. Turns out, it was actually his heating pad that was causing his fur to fall out. We put an extra blanket over the heating pad and that resolved the problem and his fur grew back.

He does spend a lot of time on his heating pad. I would love for it to be something simple! Thank you for sharing. All the suggestions I can get right now are lifesavers! I will try putting some extra padding on the heating pad.

Do you remember if his hair fell out all over or just in one spot like Enzo's? Also did it happen over a long period of time or all at once? Thank you so much!

ty3535

It was all in one spot on his belly, and it happened over a period of a few weeks.

CatPack said:

Wow, that is unusual, and I agree that it doesn't look like a typical fungal infection.

Is there anything in the house he could be rubbing against?

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Great news! Enzo's test results all came back great! No sign of any problems at all, diabetes, thyroid, kidneys, ect. And his urine was great, no crystals at all. BUT. We are still at a loss for the bald spot. The current working theory is the heating pad that Raina21 suggested. The vet just said to keep an eye on it in case there are any changes in appearance/size. I have placed extra padding on the heating pad. I'm still so curious as to what it could be if it's not the heating pad, but I am super relieved about his test results!

It is funny that they would even suggest an expensive test for ring worm anti fungal topicals cheap and with kids they just have you try the medicated ointment or cream or gentian violet or flucozinal less cheap and see... Hope it is the heating pad.

howmany said:

It is funny that they would even suggest an expensive test for ring worm anti fungal topicals cheap and with kids they just have you try the medicated ointment or cream or gentian violet or flucozinal less cheap and see... Hope it is the heating pad.

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Yep, she recommended the ringworm test which just involved pulling some hairs around the area and seeing if anything grew after a few days, and the test for demodex mites which involved a biopsy. I believe the ringworm test was $45 and the biopsy was much more expensive because it required sedation and stitches.

Just wanted to update-it was the heating pad!! I have switched out a pad to one where I can control the heat setting and his hair is starting to grow back. Thank you so much!

Yay to the good news!

Slufferk said:

Yay to the good news!

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Thank you so much! I'm so relieved! But I feel like a terrible cat mom for letting him lay on a heating pad that got warm enough to give him a bald spot :-/

That's just excellent news!!! I love hearing hen everything works out!!!

Thank you so much!!!