A Guide To Common Cat Illnesses
Feline hair loss refers to the problem that some cats face when they start losing their fur. A responsible pet owner should make sure they understand the causes of hair loss in cats to respond appropriately and immediately.
Causes of feline hair loss
There are several things that can cause hair loss in a cat. Among the most commonly seen triggers are the following:
Cat’s Diet – A cat that is not getting an adequately nutritious diet can have hair loss problems. Experts recommend that the diet for a cat should be high in protein and that the meat base should ideally be turkey or salmon as both these have more of the nutrients that cats need than say chicken or beef. The turkey and salmon contain protein that can be easily processed by a feline. You should talk to your Vet about your cat’s diet and introduce some supplements such as Vitamin B and Vitamin E if necessary.
Allergy – This is a common cause for hair loss in felines also. Whether the allergen is in the food or environment, it can prompt a loss of hair in the cat. The hardest part of hair loss caused by an allergic reaction is isolating the allergen. The process has to be methodical in that the owner will have to vary one thing at a time in the diet and the environment to see if there are any changes. While this part can seem laborious, the good news is that once the allergen is isolated, the cat will return to normalcy fairly soon. The hair loss will stop and there is likely to re-growth in the area as well.
Fleas and other parasites – If you have a cat that is allowed to go outdoors, it is possible that the cat acquires a flea or some other insect or parasite. These can lead to diseases and one of the early signs can be hair loss. The cat will be desperate to deal with the itch the affected skin and may even be trying to bite and pull out hair because of the flea infestation. Vaccinations and other formulas are a must for cats allowed to go outdoors to make sure they are protected from possible invasions. Mange caused by mites is one of the problems that can arise from a parasite on a cat’s body.
Hyperthyroidism - Hyperthyroidism, much like in humans, causes some noticeable problems in cats also. If you find that the feline hair loss is accompanied by weight loss and extreme hunger and thirst there is a very high likelihood of thyroid related problems. A doctor will be able to confirm the diagnosis and will be able to suggest medication or other forms of treatment such as iodine therapy for the problem.
Infections – There are bacterial and fungal infections that can affect a cat and prompt hair loss. Bacterial infection Pyoderma and fungal infection Ringworms are two of the many infections that can afflict a cat. In both these cases there are medications that can target the infection and eliminate the source of the problem as soon as a diagnosis is worked out. As the cat recovers, it is best to keep the animal isolated and bacterial and fungal infections can be contagious.
Cushing's disease – This is a disease in which hair loss in one of the early warning systems. Bilateral hair loss in that both sides of the body have symmetrical loss is indicative of Cushing’s disease which is also referred to as hyperadrenocorticism. Once again, treating the root problem will take care of the hair loss issue.
Preventing hair loss
Cat owners can avoid dealing with the issue if they set very high standards for the cat’s hygiene and nutrition. As has been apparent, it is gaps in these that usually leads to health related issues and by addressing these two basic needs, cat owners can save themselves a lot of time, worry and concern down the road.