My cat has a bald patch with little black dots in it

Buseboo

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My ragdoll is an indoor cat. Dewormed and defled monthly. We have a subscription and its posted monthly so I never forget and always on time with them.
My house is cleaned daily. Vacuum and mopped (I have a toddler lol).
So I don’t think it’s fleas, but I read how fleas live in the environment and not exactly on the cat. So I’m not sure…
Moshi (cat) has not been spayed yet, she’s 10 months old, so this is her first heat. At first I thought the hairloss was because of this, maybe she’s been stressed as she’s constantly meowing, but the patch is getting bigger and I don’t have the money to go to the vets for the next 2 weeks until I get paid.
What do I do?! What is it? I’m getting paranoid it’s contagious, I feel horrible for her, she’s constantly grooming herself, itching, meowing. Something’s up I can tell, but can’t figure out what! Frustrating.
I will take her to the vets as soon as I can, but until I’m able, any tips and advise is welcome.
Thank youu x
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fionasmom

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The tiny spots look like flea dirt to me; however, I have never had the hair loss that you are seeing which makes me wonder if it is something else. If you wet it, what happens? Flea dirt will often turn reddish if you put a damp towel on it.
 
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Buseboo

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The tiny spots look like flea dirt to me; however, I have never had the hair loss that you are seeing which makes me wonder if it is something else. If you wet it, what happens? Flea dirt will often turn reddish if you put a damp towel on it.
I tried this, it doesn’t really turn red, but I did run at it and it came off.
Is it possible for her to have fleas even though she’s been treated monthly since I got her as a kitten
 
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Buseboo

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Hi. I honestly can't say - it doesn't seem to look like flea dirt, but I suppose it still could be that. Anything in this article ring a bell for what you are seeing?
Cat Skin Conditions: Dry Skin, Skin Allergies, Skin Cancer, Itchy Skin & More | PetMD
I’ve been reading near enough everything online, I’m not sure. She’s over-grooming, she’s in heat so can be stress especially since it’s her first, she’s constantly scratching, so I don’t know. It’s not round and doesn’t look like ringworm. I used a wet wipe and tried to wipe it off and most of it came off with a little scrubbing, but no redness to the wipe. Honestly it’s so confusing!
 

fionasmom

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It does not look like ringworm. We are not vets, but ringworm has a flaky look to the skin itself; you can look at some pics yourself and see if you think it is.

This is a little gross, but I mentioned seeing if it turned red as flea dirt will appear as little black specks which are actually the feces of the flea. He excretes these because he had ingested the blood of the host animal....hence, it turns red because you are seeing blood residue.

Fleas can be insidious, especially if the flea preparation you are using is not working. Some of us on TCS have had Advantage become less effective in certain regional areas. Don't reapply though if it is not time for a new treatment.

The meowing and grooming could be from the heat, but the excessive grooming could be from itching skin, too. Pulling out hair can go with that if she is licking or is uncomfortable enough. Sometimes pure camomile tea, not any blended tea, but only camomile will soothe the skin and won't cause any issues if it does not.
 
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Buseboo

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It does not look like ringworm. We are not vets, but ringworm has a flaky look to the skin itself; you can look at some pics yourself and see if you think it is.

This is a little gross, but I mentioned seeing if it turned red as flea dirt will appear as little black specks which are actually the feces of the flea. He excretes these because he had ingested the blood of the host animal....hence, it turns red because you are seeing blood residue.

Fleas can be insidious, especially if the flea preparation you are using is not working. Some of us on TCS have had Advantage become less effective in certain regional areas. Don't reapply though if it is not time for a new treatment.

The meowing and grooming could be from the heat, but the excessive grooming could be from itching skin, too. Pulling out hair can go with that if she is licking or is uncomfortable enough. Sometimes pure camomile tea, not any blended tea, but only camomile will soothe the skin and won't cause any issues if it does not.
ok thank you I’ll define try it! anything after this point, my poor baby is clearly uncomfortable and I don’t have the funds right now and feel sooo bad!
 

Catstorulethemall

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I hope the cat is doing better. I unfortunately do not know, but I was wondering if you've looked at virtual vet visits until you're able to go in-person to your vet, which may be more affordable in the meantime.
 

maggiedemi

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Could be caused by ear mites. Google ear mites and mange and see if you think that's it.
 

hopscotch

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One of my cats had what looks like that exact same issue. It happened to a small patch of skin on his belly shortly after he was shaved for an ultrasound. The doctor said it was a local pigmentation change due to trauma caused by the shaving/hair removal. If it’s the same thing, it is uncommon but can happen and is nothing to worry about.

There was a chance that the pigmentation would always be there but eventually it did go away. It took many months while the skin and hair regrew but was definitely gone in less than a year. The area is now totally back to normal and you’d never know it happened.

if it is something similar, then the question is what happened to cause it? Was there contact with something that could have irritated the skin, Iike a chemical, or is it a contact allergy?
 

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What cleaning supplies do you use? How does the cat get on w toddler? I only ask b/c my dog was so jealous when I was born it hid under the sofa for a week…mom made the mistake of using the same “baby voice“ on me as the dog. So that type of stress could be a factor. Agree tho mites could be a possible. Is your cat food grain free? …Please do let us know what your vet says!
 
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Alldara

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Could it be cat acne? That's not an easy place for a cat to clean, especially long haired. Dirt and oil can build up easily. Cat Acne: Causes, Treatment, Prevention, and FAQs | PetMD

Brushing the area with a damp (new) toothbrush is Amazing for cat acne.

Cat acne can also be caused by contact with cleaners that are not well rinsed afterwards.
 

Alldara

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I tried this, it doesn’t really turn red, but I did run at it and it came off.
Is it possible for her to have fleas even though she’s been treated monthly since I got her as a kitten
Just saw your response! Don't know how I missed it. Flea dirt will turn red. Cat acne won't. I would definitely use a damp paper towel to clean daily and consider grabbing a tooth brush just for her to use on her.

Nobel is almost 16 and got it on his tail...no hair loss. I thought fleas too at first. Gave him a bath and now I use the tooth brush method. Works great.
 
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