Alopecia in cats usually occurs against the background of some disease. In this case it is classified as an acquired form. There is also a congenital form of alopecia, which affects Siamese cats and Devon Rex and Sphynx cats. A kind of hereditary alopecia is called hypotrichosis. The essence of this pathology is the alternate loss and growth of hair in the animal from birth and throughout his life. In this case, the disease is not curable.
As for the seasonal shedding, it is considered normal, so you should not worry about it. This is how the cat’s body adapts to the next season.
The development of psychogenic alopecia is usually associated with stress or a move. In the new environment, the cat may change its behavior by starting to lick or pluck its own hair. This type of baldness is accompanied by dermatitis. The bald spots are on the belly, hips and inside of the legs.
For short-haired breeds, partial baldness affecting the area from the eyes to the ears is common. There is also no need to worry about this, as hair loss can be explained by the physiology of the breed in question.
If the fact of excessive hair loss is noticed after an injury to the pet or therapeutic injections, the problem does not need the intervention of a specialist. After some time, the new hair will grow back on its own.
Treatment of alopecia in cats
Treatment of any alopecia begins with determining its cause and making a diagnosis, if the hair loss was provoked by a disease. If the therapy will be carried out with drugs of local and general action, not able to eliminate the main factor, but only eliminate the external signs of the disease, it will bring the animal only temporary relief. After a while the problem will appear again, but the intensity and rate of hair loss will increase.
Acquired form of alopecia is difficult to treat and requires a lot of patience from the owner of the pet. But regardless of the form of alopecia, its therapy is based on 2 main principles:
- strengthening the cat’s body with auxiliary agents, the intake of which will have a positive effect on immunity and overall resistance;
- providing the cat with a nutritious food with an increased content of vitamins. At the same time the amount of minerals should not be abused - their dosage should be balanced according to the definite feline norms.
Forms of alopecia are treated by rubbing camphor rubbing alcohol, treating the body of the animal with an alkaline soap solution, applying thermal water compresses, physical therapy procedures. A course of general strengthening therapy is also prescribed.
Preventive measures to prevent alopecia in cats are vaccination against infectious diseases and antiparasitic treatment of animals.