Balding moggy may have allergies

Dimitri Nixon

02 August 2008

I had Tiger about 2 months before getting Blackie. Though they fought at first, they have learned to put up with one another over the 5 years I had them. About last year, Blackie started to get bald spots. The bald spot moved to his belly area, and I have now spotted that his front legs have got 2 two bald spots. What might be wrong? Or do I just have a stressed cat?

Dear Mary : There are a couple things we must consider with hair loss. Stress or stress may cause alopecia, or hair loss. I feel safe in pronouncing the alopecia is doubtless due to something else, but stress and stress have to remain on my rule-out list and in the back of my mind. Pussies are terribly territorial and the other pussy may be stressing him out, causing hair loss or him to groom excessively. Other things to think about are allergies, funguses, rash, food allergies, bugs like mites and fleas, diabetes or thyroid issues. I might 1st inspect Blackie and identify if there's a pattern to the hair loss. Is it the same on one side of the body as it is on the other? Are there fleas, scabs or is the skin dry? I'd take a sample of hair and submit it for a fungal culture. A vet can scrape the skin and look at it under a microscope for mites. Have a complete blood

count and chemistries evaluated for diabetes and hypothyroidism. Pussies that have allergies will groom themselves a lot.

You may notice areas on their back, legs and belly where the coat is thin or bald. If not treated, it'll get worse over time. Treatment sometimes consists of an injection of methylprednisolone acetate every fortnight for some treatments. If there's a bacterial part, antibiotics should be implemented into the treatment. Things like fleas and a fungus will affect both pets, and there could be hair loss on the other pet. Dr Duane A Kimmey, D.V.M, is owner of North Metro Veterinary Hospice LLC, 20021 Greenfield Road, Detroit. Are slain Political confidant accused of attack Tigers let Rays walk off with win Pants : Florida DB commits to Michigan Howes : No straightforward, inexpensive fix for GM's issues Chrysler touts improved health GM loses $15.5B as industry sales dive Trading places : Midseason deals tricky for players and families ( updated hourly. The council voted 5-4 in Nov 2007 to award Synagro Technologies Inc - July eight, 2008.