Causes of alopecia in cats and the most important treatment methods

Alopecia in cats is one of the diseases that may occur to many types of cats, and it is considered harmful to cats and puts them in an unhealthy psychological state, especially when neglecting to provide appropriate treatment and knowing the main reason that led to the appearance of this disease in the cat. We will learn about the causes of alopecia as well as the special symptoms and treatment methods. Which can be followed in this article.
Causes of alopecia in cats
Alopecia in cats is a condition that affects cats and is represented by the loss of hair in certain areas of their body. This disease may occur to many types of cats, because there are many reasons that lead to its occurrence. It can also affect cats of all ages, whether they are young or old. Easy, and the most important reasons why cats suffer from alopecia are as follows:
The presence of food allergies: Some cats may be sensitive to some food ingredients or nutritional supplements, and eating this type of food may lead to cases of alopecia.
Skin diseases: Some skin diseases that affect cats, such as fungi or skin infections, can cause hair loss and the appearance of alopecia.
Environmental allergies: Some cats may be sensitive to environmental factors such as dust, cleaning materials, or moisture, and exposure to these factors can lead to skin problems.
Parasites: The presence of parasites such as lice or ticks can cause skin irritation and hair loss.
Interaction with chemicals: Cats may be exposed to interactions with chemicals where they live, whether in the air or materials used in the home, which leads to skin problems.
Chronic diseases: Some chronic diseases, such as thyroid disorders, may affect the health of hair and skin.
If you have a cat suffering from alopecia, it is preferable to visit a veterinarian to determine the exact cause and obtain appropriate treatment, especially since delaying treatment will lead to more damage to the cat.
Symptoms of alopecia in cats
You can know that your cat has alopecia in cats when its symptoms appear, especially since it usually appears in cats in the form of hair loss in specific areas of the body. The following are some symptoms that may indicate the presence of alopecia areata in cats:
Hair loss: The main symptom of alopecia is hair loss in specific areas, and this loss can be heavy or sparse depending on the severity of the cat’s disease.
Skin color change: Cats' skin color may change in areas affected by this disease, and the skin may appear in different colors such as red or pink.
Itching and irritation: The cat may suffer from severe itching in the affected areas, leading to itching and irritation of the skin.
Skin swelling: In some advanced cases of this disease, swelling may appear in the areas affected by alopecia.
Formation of crusts or ulcers: Small crusts or ulcers may be observed on the skin in areas suffering from hair loss.
Changes in cat behavior: In some cases, cat owners may notice changes in cat behavior, such as increased self-cleaning that cats do for themselves, or aggression due to the discomfort they feel that is caused by itching.
If you notice any of these symptoms in your cat, it is important to take it to the veterinarian to evaluate the condition and determine the exact cause of alopecia, and thus develop an appropriate treatment plan. It is not preferable to provide any treatment without consulting a doctor in the first place, to limit any damage that may befall cats in the cat. In case the treatment was inappropriate.
Treatment of alopecia in cats
Treating alopecia in cats is very important, as this is to reduce any other health problems affecting cats. This treatment must be done after examining the cats carefully by the specialist doctor. This is because the treatment depends on the exact cause of the condition, so it is always preferable not to follow any home treatment without Consult a veterinarian. Here are some operations that a veterinarian may perform to treat alopecia:
Examination of the condition: The veterinarian examines the cat to identify areas of hair loss and check for other symptoms. A physical examination and medical history can be helpful in determining the possible cause.
Sample analysis: The doctor may request analysis of hair or skin samples to determine fungal or bacterial diseases that may be the cause of alopecia.
Pharmaceutical treatment: Pharmaceutical treatment may include the use of cat-specific ointments or shampoos to treat skin infections. The doctor may also prescribe antifungal medications if they are the cause.
Getting rid of parasites: If alopecia areata is caused by the presence of parasites such as lice or ticks, in this case the treatment can be to get rid of these parasites.
Changing the diet: In cases of food allergies, the doctor may suggest following a special diet to exclude foods that cause the allergy.
Reducing exposure to factors that cause skin irritation: Controlling the cat's environment, such as using gentle cleansers and avoiding strong chemicals, can be part of the treatment.
The doctor may follow all of these methods to treat cats from alopecia, or follow only one method, so the ideal method of treatment can only be determined by the doctor after careful examination and various analysis procedures.
Does feline alopecia infect humans?
Many people who raise cats at home worry that alopecia in cats may be transmitted to them or cause any harm to them. Therefore, it should be known that alopecia in cats is usually not transmitted to humans, as alopecia is considered a skin disease specific to animals and is related to skin and hair problems in cats.
The main causes of alopecia are related to factors such as food allergies, skin irritations, fungal diseases, parasites, and others, as we explained before, so it has nothing to do with humans, and alopecia may occur in humans as a result of exposure to some damage and factors that help in its appearance in them.
Therefore, alopecia cannot be transmitted from cats to humans, but it always must