Cat's Bald Spot on Nose: Possible Skin Disease
When engaging with cat owners online to address their concerns, we often encounter a wide array of cases. Among them, skin issues in cats are particularly common. Recently, we've been fielding queries from cat parents about hair loss on their pets' noses, with worries about potential skin infections. Today, let's delve into this topic and provide a detailed analysis for everyone.
A patch of hair loss on a cat's nose can be caused by a variety of factors, including but not limited to fungal infections, bacterial infections, allergic reactions, parasites, autoimmune diseases, and traumainduced irritation.
What Should Parents Do?
1. Check the Moisture Level of the Skin
Cats have short fur on their noses, and sometimes the hair might just appear to be missing due to moisture from drinking water. To determine if it's genuinely hair loss, gently touch the affected area. If it's damp, use a tissue to dry it and then observe if the hair loss persists when dry.
2. Observe the Skin Condition
If the hair loss is confirmed, inspect the skin at the site of the hair loss.
● If the skin is smooth with only minor scratches, it might be an accidental scratch or pull that caused the hair loss. You can monitor the area at home for a few days.
● If the skin shows redness, itching, bumps, increased dandruff, scabs, or blackheads, it's likely a sign of skin disease. It's essential to seek veterinary care for a skin scrape test to identify the cause and then use targeted medication.
3. Common Skin Diseases and Treatments
(1) Ringworm
Ringworm can affect any part of a cat's body, causing patchy hair loss in the form of circular or irregular spots, with flaking, redness, and scabs. When using a Wood's lamp to examine ringworm, a green fluorescence is typically observed in the affected areas (4070% of the time).
✔ Medications: DermaZinc (Ketoconazole Ointment), pipette (Terbinafine Hydrochloride Spray), Itraconazole
▲ Precautions: Ringworm can be transmitted to humans, so take precautions when handling the infected cat.
(2) Folliculitis
Cat folliculitis is primarily caused by bacterial infections, greasy diets, and endocrine imbalances. Using plastic bowls for feeding can also increase the risk of infection. Folliculitis can lead to small black spots on the skin, followed by hair loss, bumps, and skin swelling and pain.
✔ Medications: Saline, Efudix (Oxiconazole Nitrate Cream), Mupirocin Cream/Ointment, Phisohex (Zinc Oxide Ointment)
▲ Precautions: Adjust the diet and avoid using plastic bowls for feeding.
(3) Allergies
Cats can also have allergic reactions to certain ingredients in their food, environmental allergens like pollen or dust mites. Allergic dermatitis can cause itching and scratching, leading to local hair loss.
✔ Medications: Clorat (Chlorphenamine Maleate Tablets), Pipette Skin Spray
▲ Precautions: Identify and avoid allergens to prevent recurrence.
(4) Mites
Cats that are not regularly dewormed or live in a dirty environment are particularly susceptible to mite infections, such as demodex or scabies mites. Initially, these mites may appear on the cat's face, behind the ears, and neck, causing hair loss, itching, bumps, thickened scabs, and more.
✔ Medications: Selamectin/Ivermectin → Deworming, Erythromycin Hydrochloride Tablets → Prevent secondary infection, Sulphur Ointment
▲ Precautions: Clean the cat's bed regularly and expose it to sunlight.
In summary, there are many reasons why a cat might lose hair on its nose. If there are any obvious signs of skin abnormalities, it's crucial to seek veterinary attention promptly. Additionally, maintaining a clean living environment for your cat, providing a healthy diet, and paying attention to their mental wellbeing are all important steps in preventing skin diseases.
