Cat with Bald Patch Around Mouth: What to Do?

Upon stepping out in the morning, everything seemed fine, but upon returning home at night, you were startled to find that your cat's mouth area had a patch of hair loss? What's going on here?

There are numerous reasons for hair loss around a cat's mouth, with the most common being skin conditions, allergies, or traumatic alopecia. Different situations call for different solutions to prevent any adverse effects on your cat's skin.

【Possible Causes】

• Allergies: Your kitten might be reacting to certain foods, environmental allergens (like pollen or dust mites), or household cleaning products, leading to localized hair loss, itching, and swelling.

• Parasite Infections: Fleas, mites, or other external parasites can cause itching, leading to excessive licking and hair loss.

• Skin Diseases: Fungal infections (like ringworm), bacterial infections, and seborrheic dermatitis can all lead to localized hair loss.

• Accidental Injuries: Your cat might have accidentally pulled out the hair around its mouth while playing or fighting with other cats.

【Preventive Measures】

1. Gently clean the affected area with physiological saline solution or a soft cloth to keep it dry and clean.

2. Monitor your cat's behavior closely. If you notice it frequently scratching the area, consider using an Elizabethan collar to prevent further damage.

3. Regularly clean and observe your cat. If the area of hair loss doesn't spread, there's usually no cause for concern. However, if the hair loss continues to spread or if you notice symptoms like redness, ulcers, papules, or dandruff, it's essential to seek veterinary care promptly for diagnosis and treatment.

【Treatment Suggestions】

1. Allergies: Identify and avoid the allergen, and administer Clorpheniramine Maleate Tablets to block the allergic reaction promptly.

2. Parasite Infections: Treat your cat with deworming medication containing Ivermectin or Selamectin, and apply Phthalocyanine Zinc Ointment to the affected area to promote skin healing.

3. Fungal Infections: Use iodine to clean the affected area, remove scales, dust, and crusts, then apply antifungal medications such as DaShiNing (Combiflazole Ointment) or PiPuTe (Tebuconazole Hydrochloride Spray). Note that these topical antifungal drugs should not be licked by the cat, so wait until the medication is mostly absorbed before allowing your pet to move freely.

4. Bacterial Infections: Clean the affected area with physiological saline or chlorhexidine solution, then apply zinc oxide ointment, erythromycin ointment, or mupirocin ointment. If the infection is severe, oral antibiotics such as Amoxicillin and Clavulanate Potassium or EsuDa (Cefahexime Hydrazide Tablets) may be necessary.

Remember: Overusing medication can lead to adverse reactions. It's safer to keep the area clean and monitor it closely without immediate treatment until the cause is determined. While this may not solve the problem completely, it can prevent the situation from worsening.