[SOLVED ] Q. I just adopted a kitten from a Rescue. He has some hair loss and a couple of pimply raised areas there. What could this be?

Experienced and professional animal trainer provide their insights in answering this question :

A. I would have him checked by your vet, I think the raised areas are nothing to be worried about but the hair loss areas could be ringworm and require medical treatment.

How to Identify Common Pet Problems ?

Our sources include academic articles, blog posts, and personal essays from experienced pet care professionals :

By far the most common cause of a bald patch on your cat`s fur is fleas or other external parasites. This is especially common on your cat`s lower back and tail. Hair loss usually occurs when your cat has an allergic reaction to the fleas saliva causing them to overgroom.

Most of the time, it is nothing to be concerned about, but it is still recommended to take your feline friend to a vet for a general health checkup. Reasons your cat may be losing hair could be a poor diet, allergies, fleas and ticks, stress, or even hypothyroidism.

Bumps on cat skin fall into four categories — traumatic, parasitic, inflammatory and cancerous: Traumatic lumps: These can form if your cat gets a puncture wound. Parasitic lumps: Parasites, like burrowed fleas and ticks, can also create bumps on cat skin.

Patchy hair loss, especially around the ears and face, that can extend to other parts of the body. Swelling or bumps in affected areas. Scaling in affected areas of skin.

You may find small, medium, or large bald patches on your cat. The bald patches may be circular and reveal round sores on the skin. Your cat may also show symptoms of hair damage; their once healthy, shiny coat may have patches of weakened or broken hair. Their hair may appear stubbly or discolored.

Bald spots on cats typically grow back after the underlying cause is addressed. For shorthaired cats, hair may grow back in a matter of weeks, but it may take several months for other cats.

Sometime between the age of 6 and 12 months, as the kitten reaches adolescence, he will begin to shed his baby fur and the lovely coat he will wear for his adult years develops. Before this time, cat owners will have noticed very little shedding.

* Excessive shedding: Cats in stressful situations will often have a normal physiologic response of excessive shedding. A cats muscles tense during times of stress and the follicles of some hairs, referred to as telogen hairs, are released.

Mange is a skin problem that affects many animals, including cats, but it`s not an illness. Mange is caused by tiny parasites called mites that bite your pet`s skin and cause itching, flaking, hair loss, and inflammation.

Feline dermatitis commonly appears as clusters of small red bumps or as a rash. As your cat scratches the irritated areas, this can lead to scabs, lesions, and bald patches.

Fleas, mites, and lice are by far the most common cause of scabs on your cat. Regardless of whether your cat is allergic to bug bites, fleas and other blood-sucking pests can lead to scabbing and bleeding after they bite your pet. If you notice scabs on your cat, immediately check your cat for any type of parasite.

Just like humans, cats can suffer acne breakouts for several different reasons, such as poor grooming or stress. While these pimples are most commonly found on the chin or near the mouth, cats can develop acne anywhere on their body.

In mange, the hairs typically break off at the base, whereas in ringworm, they often break off part way down the shaft of the hair. Mange is most common in autumn (often brought on by the stress caused when moving animals indoors for the winter).

These mites cause in inflammation of the skin, and signs include a salt-and-pepper appearance of the hair coat, hair loss, and itching.

The hairs surrounding affected areas may be broken. The affected skin is often scaly and may look inflamed. However, ringworm can look very similar to many other feline skin diseases, including some of the clinical manifestations of flea allergy dermatitis, and may present as symmetrical alopecia or even feline acne.

Yes, ringworm is contagious to people and is caught through touching an infected cat. You cannot catch ringworm if your skin is unbroken, but if you have a scratch, graze, wound or suffer from a skin condition such as eczema, you may catch the infection but it`s usually easily treatable.

It`s even possible for indoor cats to get ringworm if they: Have contact with infected cats, dogs, people, or other animals. Visit a grooming or boarding care facility where ringworm spores are present. Touch furniture, carpet, or other surfaces containing ringworm spores.

Ear mites, scientifically known as Otodectes cynotes, can cause severe itching which leads to a loss of hair on the ears and head. These mites easily spread amongst cats, and will occasionally transfer onto people although they cannot survive on humans. Signs of an infestation include: Head rubbing.

`. You`d be right – kittens don`t shed much fur until they start to move in adulthood, at around 6 to 12 months. At this age, their kitten coat, which is normally a bit shorter and fluffier than their adult one, starts to fall away so the adult one can grow in.

A Patchy or Scraggly Coat—A Possible Sign of Malnutrition

Especially common among feral cats, a poor coat often resolves when the animal receives a healthy diet, rich in proteins and omega-3 fatty acids (fish oils).

Bathing a cat can also help to reduce shedding, which is great news if you`re the owner of a long-haired feline. Showering rinses away dead hair but you can always achieve a similar result with brushing alone.

Twenty Two Days Old Kitten

Notice that their ears are fully extended and they are holding themselves up well. They are sturdy! Their fur is beginning to fill out and you may be able to tell who will have short, medium or long fur.

Expect the shedding to last anywhere from a few weeks to a couple of months. If your cat sheds year-round or in spurts, it`s likely a sign their circadian rhythm is off and they`re not getting enough natural sunlight. If they don`t shed at all, it might be worth a trip to the vet.

The most common signs of overgrooming are hair loss and irritation of the skin. The areas usually affected are the abdomen, legs, flank, and chest, as these are the most easily reached areas. You may also notice: Grooming when it`s no longer functional or when it interrupts your cat`s other activities.

Relevant Questions and Answers :

the most relevant questions and answers related to your specific issue

Q. I just adopted a kitten from a Rescue. He has some hair loss and a couple of pimply raised areas there. What could this be?

ANSWER : A. I would have him checked by your vet, I think the raised areas are nothing to be worried about but the hair loss areas could be ringworm and require medical treatment.

Read Full Q/A … : Raising Orphaned Kittens • Kitten Rescue

Q. Dachshund has symetrical hair loss since aged 6 mth now 1 treated for mange had testicle removed from abdo still no better what’s next best step ?

ANSWER : A. Has hormonal disease like hypothyroidism been ruled out? That is a hormonal disease that is common causes of symmetrical hair loss, and it can be genetic, so you would see it in a dog that’s very young like yours. I agree that treating for mange was also a good idea, since that can cause hair loss as well and sometimes we can’ actually find the mites on a skin scraping.

Was a biopsy performed on the testicle? Because intra-abdominal testicles frequently turn into Sertoli cell tumors, which also cause symmetrical hair loss. If a biopsy was performed you should know for sure whether that was the cause of the hair loss or not. If the testicle wasn’t cancerous and removing it did not resolve the hair loss then the next step is a skin biopsy, unfortunately. Sounds frustrating – good luck.

Read Full Q/A … : My dog's skin is turning black. This started on the tip of …

Q. Russian blue mix cat – usually velvet soft coat but hair on back hind qtrs. is thinning, remaining hair seems less velvety than normal

ANSWER : A. Changes in coat appearance can be caused by a number of things. In older cats, hair loss or changes in coat and skin confirmation may indicate a metabolic issue such as thyroid problems. Cats can begin to lose hair and may also show other changes such as weight changes or appetite changes. Blood work is usually done to check for this, and most pets do very well with a daily medication treatment.

Hair loss can also be caused by mites on the skin, external parasites or even skin and fungal infections. These may cause red bumps or sores to appear on the skin in addition to the hair loss and coat changes. Your vet can take a skin scraping of the area to check for mites and infections, and a preventive flea treatment can remove any external parasites. If an infection or mites are present, your vet can also prescribe an antibiotic or topical cream to treat.

After any treatment it may take a month or two for completely bald patches to grow back in. This is normal as the skin and follicles need some time to heal prior to beginning the hair growth cycle again.

Read Full Q/A … : Black's Veterinary Dictionary – pt.scribd.com

Q. My pet shows weight loss and has a hard time walking, like he has lost strength in his legs and has no control to maintain balance. What’s wrong?

ANSWER : A. Loss of balance or inability to control the limbs can be caused by a wide range of problems and is usually cause for concern. Damage to the nerves or muscles can cause loss of balance, as well as neurological disease or some illnesses. Having your vet perform a complete examination is needed to determine the exact cause.

Weight loss can refer to the actual loss of fat and weight on your dog, or may also be due to the loss of muscle tone in the body. If there is a problem with one of the limbs, it may be that the weight loss you are seeing is actually loss of muscle in that area. Weight loss can again be caused by a wide range of problems from neurologic disease, illness, parasites or disease. Making an appointment with your vet is best.

Read Full Q/A … : 21 Symptoms You Should Never Ignore in Your Dog – The Web's …

Q. Fleas? First noticed scabs & small lumps under chin & neck. Used hydrocotizone spray, flea collar, spray, baths…Is licking, has hair loss & swelling

ANSWER : A. If you are currently treating for fleas with a flea prevention treatment, several things could be happening. It could be that your pet is experiencing a flea-bite allergy, even if the fleas themselves are gone, which is very common. This causes small, red, itchy bumps to appear on the body where fleas have previously bitten the area. If your pet is allowed to scratch or chew at these spots, it could lead to a bacterial infection under the skin which can become red, painful, hot to the touch or even cause the hair to be lost in the affected area. Making an appointment with your vet can determine if this is the case and treatment usually involves allergy medications and any antibiotics or anti-fungals needed to clear up a secondary infection.

Another cause of skin changes, swelling and hair loss are hormonal imbalances. Thyroid problems, adrenal gland problems and other hormone produces in the body can cause changes to appear on the coat and skin in affected animals. You may also notice other signs such as changes in appetite, thirst, urination or even in your pet’s weight. A set of blood tests from your vet can determine if this is the case. Most of these conditions are treated successfully with the addition of a daily medication to balance the hormones.

Read Full Q/A … : Saw a lot of flea dirt under collar but found no fleas on him …

Q. We brought 2 new kittens home. One of them is sneezing. We have a Sr cat and an adult who is now coughing. What to do?

ANSWER : A. Commonly respiratory infections (viral -Herpesvirus and Calicivirus- and possibly bacterial) can cause sneezing episodes in kitten especially if not vaccinated yet. If your kitten is affected by respiratory infection could develop or have more signs such as discharge from eyes, more discharge from nose, coughing, being lethargic, depressed and inappetent.

The coughing episodes of the adult cat could be completely unrelated to the cause of sneezing of your new kitten, especially if your adult cat is already vaccinated.

The cause of cough in adult cats are not necessarily related to respiratory problems, heart problems could cause that as well.

Keep the nose and the eyes of your kitten free from discharge, keep your kitten warm and take both of them to your veterinarian as soon as possible to identify the cause and the relationship of the two problems and treat appropriately.

Read Full Q/A … : 3 Ways to Handle a Stray Cat – wikiHow

Q. My cat is lossing a lot of hair she is 13 yrs old and been to the vet twice and had antibiotic and the next time steroid and advantage plus . I’m at

ANSWER : A. There are many possible causes of hair losss as I’m sure your veterinarian has explained to you. At 13 years old, your cat is in the right age-range for diseases of the thyroid gland to develop. Itchiness and hair loss can sometimes be a symptom of thyroid disorders. It may be necessary to have a full senior blood work up to check the thyroid levels and overall health of your senior cat. Other causes of hair loss include allergies to fleas and contact dermatitis (allergic to some chemical in the enviroment such as scented cat litter, air freshners, laundry products, floor cleaners, etc). Hair loss is a symptom of a larger problem and can be frustrating to treat. Try to get to the underlying cause.

Read Full Q/A … : My dog's skin is turning black. This started on the tip of …

Q. My dog likes to walk around trees and bushes. I noticed today a rash on his back in a straight line and his hair is gone in the area. Help?

ANSWER : A. If you live in a brushy or wooded area it is possible that your dog may have come into contact with an irritant such as poison oak or poison ivy. These can spread to people, so care should be taken when handling the area by using gloves and washing hands. You should also prevent your dog from licking or scratching at the area to prevent the spread of irritation. Topical ointments for pets can be used to treat oak/ivy infections.

Other causes such as allergies, cuts and scrapes, or even external parasites can cause redness as well. Ticks and fleas are common in wooded and brushy areas, so making sure your pet is on a preventative for these is important.

If the rash appears to have any cuts, scrapes, open sores, hair loss or spreads, then making an appointment with your vet is best. Your vet can take a sample of the area to look for any more serious infections causing the redness.

Read Full Q/A … : QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT SQUIRRELS – scary squirrel world