Dealing with a Cat That's Balding Its Neck

Oh no! If you've noticed your feline friend has started to pull out fur from its neck, it's time to take action. This could be a sign of a skin condition, parasites, allergies, or other issues that need immediate attention to prevent the problem from worsening.

What Could Be Causing the Neck Hair Loss in Cats?

There are several potential reasons why your cat might be losing fur around its neck:

1. Fungal Infection

Common fungi like Microsporum canis, Trichophyton mentagrophytes, and Trichophyton verrucosum can attack your cat's skin and hair, leading to itching, bald spots, and scabs. These spots may be circular or elliptical and could be accompanied by dandruff and redness.

2. Bacterial Infection

Bacterial dermatitis can cause itching and may present with bumps, blisters, skin ulcers, and hair loss. This condition might be due to unclean skin or injuries from fights.

3. Allergies

Some cats may be allergic to certain food ingredients or environmental allergens like pollen and dust mites, leading to itching, redness, and hair loss.

4. Collar Issues

Illfitting or tight collars can irritate a cat's neck, prompting scratching and, ultimately, hair loss.

5. Parasite Infection

Cats can be infested with fleas or lice, which bite the skin and cause itching. Frequent scratching can lead to patchy baldness.

6. Vaccination Reactions

A small number of cats may experience allergic reactions to vaccinations, such as redness or hair loss at the injection site, which usually resolves on its own. There's no need to worry too much in these cases.

Solutions to the Problem

1. If you've recently put a collar on your cat, remove it immediately to prevent further irritation.

2. Take your cat to a veterinarian for a proper examination to identify the cause and receive targeted treatment.

3. Enhance your cat's skin resistance by feeding it egg yolks, salmon, fish oil, or a supplement like Supervet (a vitamin B complex solution).

In the meantime, if you can't visit the vet, use a Wood's lamp to check for ringworm, which is often caused by Microsporum canis. Ringworm will glow green under the lamp.

Once confirmed, trim the fur around the affected area, clean it with iodine, and apply Dermax (ketоконазол cream) or Pipette (terbinafine hydrochloride spray) twice or thrice a day. For severe cases, oral itraconazole may be prescribed.

If it's not ringworm, start by cleaning the area with iodine and applying an antibiotic ointment such as erythromycin, Phisohex (zinc oxide ointment), or mupirocin. Observe the area for 5 to 7 days to see if there's any improvement.

During treatment, ensure your cat's claws are trimmed, and cover its neck with a mask or gauze to prevent further scratching.