Cats:秃毛非猫癣治疗用药推荐 translates to Cats: Hair Loss Not Ring

When a cat develops a patch of baldness, it can be quite concerning for pet owners. However, if a Wood's lamp examination does not reveal any green fluorescence, can we confidently rule out ringworm? If it's not ringworm, what kind of skin medication should be used? Don't worry, cat skin issues are actually not as daunting as they might seem. Below, we'll delve into the specific causes and proper treatment methods.

What Causes a Patch of Baldness in Cats?

Firstly, when a cat's skin shows such symptoms, it's often due to damaged hair follicles or a skin condition. It's advisable for pet owners to take their feline to a veterinary clinic for a skin scraping examination to pinpoint the exact cause.

There are several skin conditions that can lead to hair loss in cats, including fungal infections, bacterial dermatitis, allergies, and parasitic infestations. A diagnosis can be made through hair plucking tests or microscopic examination of skin scrapings. While most cases of ringworm caused by Microsporum canine show fluorescence under a Wood's lamp, there are some strains that do not. Additionally, other fungi like Trichophyton and Malassezia may not exhibit green fluorescence under the lamp, so it cannot be used to completely exclude fungal infections.

If you can't visit a vet immediately, you can make an initial assessment based on the symptoms:

A patch with red spots or bumps might indicate a bacterial infection;

A patch with black spots could suggest folliculitis, which is related to bacterial infection, or the spots might be flea feces, indicating a potential skin issue due to flea bites or an allergy to flea saliva;

A patch with scaly or crusty skin may point to a fungal infection, possibly combined with a bacterial infection;

A patch that is not itchy, swollen, red, or painful might not be a skin condition at all but a result of hormonal imbalances leading to hair loss;

A patch with skin that is red, broken, or thickened can be a complex situation, possibly involving a mixed infection of parasites, bacteria, and fungi, and may not be easily diagnosed.

What Medication Should Be Used for a Patch of Baldness in Cats?

Based on the examination results, you can consider the following treatments:

Fungal Infection: Terbinafine hydrochloride spray or Dasatin (ketоконазол ointment), applied 2 to 3 times daily;

Bacterial Infection: Iodine solution + Fusafungin (zinc oxide ointment) or erythromycin ointment, applied 2 to 3 times daily;

Allergic Dermatitis: Oral Clorpheniramine maleate tablets, once daily, along with a skin antiseptic spray and zinc oxide ointment, applied 2 to 3 times daily;

Scabies Infection: Use deworming medications containing ivermectin, pyrantel pamoate, or selamectin to deworm the cat, oral Cefadroxil tablets for prophylactic infection, skin disinfection with iodine, and treatment with a skin spray and sulfur ointment.

Since overuse of medication can worsen a cat's skin issues and delay treatment, it's generally not recommended to give your cat medication without a confirmed diagnosis.

If you're unable to visit a vet for a skin scraping examination right away, you can start with antibacterial sprays and antibiotic ointments for bacterial infections, while also ensuring regular deworming. Observe the cat for 5 days; if there's no improvement, combine the treatment with a ketoconazole ointment. If the condition improves significantly, continue the medication until the cat is completely recovered.

Can a Patch of Baldness on a Cat Grow Back?

Many skin issues in cats are also related to weakened immunity. It's recommended to supplement your cat's diet with nutrients beneficial for skin health, such as multivitamin B complex, fish oil, lecithin, and highquality cat food rich in omega3 and omega6 fatty acids.