A bald spot

A shiny, clean coat is a key indicator of a pet's good health. The loss of some hair in cats and dogs is normal. The intensity of hair loss increases during seasonal moulting periods. The appearance of baldness (alopecia) should alert the owner. Such disorders may be due to natural causes or may be symptoms of serious diseases.

What is baldness?

Any attentive owner will be able to distinguish alopecia from seasonal moulting. In the first case, limited areas on the body of the pet are formed absolutely bald or covered with sparse hairs. They can be single or multiple. With some pathologies, individual foci merge into extensive affected areas.
The causes of baldness are many. Some of them are relatively safe, disappear after correcting the care of the cat.

The animal can begin to go bald because of:

improper nutrition. Constant consumption of economy-class fodder, inappropriate products provokes hair loss due to lack of vitamins, microelements;

age-related changes. Over time, the animal's body slows down metabolic processes. Including slower growth of hairs. Older pets more often thin the hair cover on the muzzle, ears. This is a natural process that does not require treatment. It is possible to prolong the youth of the dog by taking vitamin supplements on the recommendation of the veterinarian;

injections - at the injection site for vaccines, antibacterial drugs;

baldness can begin against the background of stress due to moving, the appearance of a new puppy or kitten in the house, other reasons;

in pregnant females, the hair around the nipples falls out to facilitate feeding the offspring. After completion of lactation, the condition normalises.

In any case, if such violations appeared, it is necessary to show the animal to the veterinarian.
Alopecia acts as a sign of:

various dermatological diseases;

endocrine disorders;

seborrhoea, which develops because the sebaceous glands are not working properly;
fungal lesions (e.g., shingles);

folliculitis - inflammation of the hair follicles;

flea or tick infestation;

malignant neoplasms;

Hypotrichosis - a genetic disorder in which the kitten's hair falls out in the first few months of life. Sometimes babies are born bald. They forever retain increased sensitivity to the effects of sunlight, temperature changes;

helminthiasis;

allergic reactions;

autoimmune diseases, when the body perceives follicles as foreign objects, destroys them;
solar dermatosis - ultraviolet intolerance. Animals with white, melanin-free colouring are more prone to this abnormality;

hyperthyroidism, a disease of the thyroid gland;

sebaceous gland adenitis in kittens.

Owners should carefully observe the pet, if bald areas are detected, immediately consult a doctor.

Symptoms and causes of baldness in pets

Differentiating the cause of baldness, the veterinarian can by the appearance of alopeciae. They are located symmetrically (for example, on both sides) or chaotically. More often bald patches appear on the muzzle, belly, ears, spine, tail, groin.

Depending on the disease that provoked alopecia, in addition to hair loss, there may be symptoms such as:

skin redness;

scratching;

unpleasant odour;

decreased appetite;

flaking;

sores, pustules;

severe itching;

pain;

dandruff;

apathy, irritability.

The exact cause of the animal's condition is determined by the veterinarian during the examination of the pet, based on the results of laboratory or hardware tests. Depending on the presumed diagnosis, will require:

blood tests;

Wood's lamp examination;


ULTRASOUND;

skin scraping;

examination of villi;

radiography.

After identifying the provoking factor, the doctor will choose a way to eliminate it.

Treatment of baldness in pets

If hair loss is the only unpleasant symptom, the pet is active, alert, has an excellent appetite, it is worth consulting with a veterinary nutritionist, select the right diet.

When the cause of baldness is pathological, the furry patient is prescribed surgical or conservative therapy. The latter, depending on the disease, may include drugs from several pharmaceutical groups:

antifungal;

antiseptic;

antiparasitic;

antibacterial;

multivitamins;

immunostimulants;

sedatives;

antihistamines.

In addition to taking pharmaceuticals, hygienic treatment of the body, the therapeutic scheme includes antiseborrheic shampoos to alleviate the condition of the animal.

Specialists recommend regularly washing the pet Shampoo with birch tar from the company Apicenna. Its balanced composition based on natural, plant ingredients quickly heals the coat, skin. The product has no irritating effect, does not contain aggressive, toxic substances. Procedures with it are well tolerated by cats and dogs of any age.