The cat has a bald tail: why and what to do?

Sometimes the tail begins to bald in cats, which causes concern for its owners. It becomes thinner, dims or shines more than before. At first, it may seem that the reason is the habit of licking too much during shedding. But over time, the tail bald more and more, bald patches appear. The cat often begins to itch, becomes restless. Such signs indicate that certain disorders occur in the body of the pet.

Possible reasons

Why does a cat suddenly start to have a bald tail? The owners should be able to distinguish when the pet just starts molting, and when alopecia develops. Shedding is a completely normal process. But at the same time, in place of those hairs that fall out, new ones immediately begin to grow. But, if new hairs do not grow, bald patches form on the body of the animal, which increase more and more, then we can talk about alopecia.

The owners must respond in time to this violation, and take the animal to the veterinarian. Indeed, otherwise the tail will become less and less fluffy. As a result, he will completely lose his coat. Alopecia will pass from the tail to other parts of the body. This affects not only the appearance of the cat, but also on his well-being. Skin without wool coarsens, dries and becomes hot.

What causes a cat with this problem?

1. Lichen. In this case, the animal will not only peel off the tail, but also other parts of the body. At the same time, the pet will experience excruciating itching, combing the body to the blood. Lichen is determined by lighting the bald areas of the body with a special device (Wood lamp). If the animal has lichen, the hair under it will turn green. To determine the diagnosis for sure, you need to do an analysis.
2. Hormonal disorders. Cats on the tail in the upper part have iron, which produces lubricant. When washing, the cat spreads it throughout its body. If, due to hormonal imbalances, this secret is produced in too large quantities, then the tail begins to cling and stick together.
3. Ticks or fleas. If you do not let your pet out for a walk, this does not mean that parasites cannot start from him. They can enter the house through shoes when we go home from the street. It is over the tail or in the scruff of the neck that fleas like to dwell. If there are combs in this area, this indicates that the cat has got fleas.
4. Helminths. If you feed your pet meat or fish in raw form, parasites appear in the body.
5. Allergy. As a result of malnutrition, the use of drugs or because of poor-quality food, the cat may develop an allergy. It can also be a reaction to any smell. For example, tobacco smoke.
6. Infection. If the wounds on the pet's body are not treated, they can become inflamed and spread.
7. Stress. As a result of exposure to various factors, the pet may experience discomfort. For example, after childbirth, due to a change of place or as a result of ill-treatment.
8. The cat may have diabetes or liver disease and gastrointestinal tract.
9. Inflammation of the paraanal glands. With this violation, the tail begins to bald near the base. This leads to changes in behavior. The tail trembles during urination.
10. The reason may be the rather old age of the animal or a hereditary predisposition.
11. Lack of vitamins and minerals.

What needs to be done if you notice that a cat or a small kitten suddenly has a bald tail? How to stop the development of this phenomenon? These questions concern the owners of cats in which such changes are observed. It is necessary to determine the cause in order to eliminate it as soon as possible.

Diagnostics

As soon as you notice such a symptom, the pet should be shown to the veterinarian. He will examine the animal, prescribe the necessary tests, on the basis of which the cause will be determined, and the necessary treatment will be prescribed.

The specialist will interview the owner, study the medical history, prescribe an ultrasound if necessary.

Alopecia Treatment

If the pet lacks vitamins or the hair on the tail falls out due to age, he will be prescribed vitamins, as well as immunomodulators. In the pharmacy you can buy a sulfur drug, which will be quite useful to the pet.

If it turned out that the cause is an allergy, then the allergen must be removed from the environment of the animal. If food allergies, a special diet is prescribed. If you feed your pet with ready-made food, you will only need to buy a special one that does not cause allergies. Antihistamines are prescribed, as well as anti-inflammatory drugs.

If it turns out that your pet has lichen, do not panic. Of course, this disease is quite dangerous. If this is just the initial stage, vaccines can help. If the problem has acquired a complex form, immunostimulants and antibiotics are prescribed, as well as drugs against the fungus.

In case of inflammation of the paraanal gland, one should not delay to see a doctor, because this threatens the life of a cat. It will be necessary to give antibiotics prescribed by the veterinarian, and lubricate the affected area with ointment.

If the cause is an infection, it is necessary to treat the wound with chlorhexidine and peroxide. If the wound is large, it will need to be sewn up in the veterinarian. The doctor will prescribe antibiotics.

In the event that the cause of the disorder is stress, the pet will be prescribed sedatives. This will help stop hair loss.

Video: alopecia in dogs and cats