Cat Hair Loss

Hair shedding is considered a sign of health in the cat - sick cats don't shed. Although the excessive hair around the house can be a nuisance, consider it a sign of your cat's good health. To reduce the amount of hair shed on furniture and your household surroundings, comb your cat daily with an appropriate comb or brush. Your veterinarian can recommend one of the many types that is suitable for your cat.

Fungal infections of the skin of the cat are fairly common, especially in young cats and those with long hair. Most of the cases of ringworm (which is NOT a worm at all) is due to an organism called Microsporum canis (M canis). It can also cause cutaneous infection in other species including dogs and humans. Trichophyton mentagrophytes and Microsporum persicolor (acquired by contact with infected wild rodents) are the two other fungal species that commonly affect cats. Cats may become infected either by direct contact with an infected animal or by exposure to contaminated objects such as grooming tools, clippers or bedding. Fungal spores are hardy and can survive in the environment and cause infections for approximately two years. Some cats have severe skin disease while other cats have only very minor lesions or no lesions at all and look completely normal. That means that there can be feline carriers of cutaneous fungal infections that can act as a source of infection for other cats. Typical skin lesions are discrete, roughly circular, non-itchy, areas of hair loss, particularly on the head, ears or extremities of the paws. The hairs surrounding affected areas often appear broken. The affected skin is usually scaly and may look inflamed. However, ringworm can look very similar to many other feline skin diseases, such a flea allergic dermatitis, symmetrical alopecia and feline acne. On occasion the claws can become infected. Topical and ingested medications can help eliminate cutaneous fungal infections but must be used long enough to totally eliminate all fungal organisms.

The lack of proper levels of thyroid hormone generally will lead to increased weight, lethargy, cold intolerance, poor hair coat and a cat with little enthusiasm for life. A simple blood test can be useful in diagnosing Hypothyroidism. Treatment often transforms the cat's physical appearance and energy levels to a much more normal state. Read about hypothyroidism here.

Signs of local reactions to vaccinations include itching, swelling, pain, hair loss at the injection site, and cancer development at the injection site.

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