Missing patch of fur on Stout the cat

[cristinamc]

Hello everyone,

First time on the site; hoping this community can maybe help.

Two days ago I noticed that my cat had a small patch of missing fur. She's a calico cat who is very active and playful and she'll even jump on walls! Yesterday the missing patch got bigger but today it looks the same. The skin where the fur is missing is clean, a bit red but less so than yesterday. No bleeding. It doesn't look like there's a scab but from very close it looks like there may be a scar. I've had cats my whole life and never seen anything like this, even in the ones that went outdoors!

Stout is an indoor cat and she's our only pet. With the situation now, we've been home 99% of the time for now more than 30 days. We don't get many things delivered and we'll seldom go on walks. I don't see how we could've brought back a fungus such as ringworm. She's been sneezing every now and then but she goes through periods like this. Otherwise, she's as playful as ever, not lethargic. Her ears are a normal temperature, she drinks and eats normally.

We live in a 3 1/2 apartment and while Stout has her own nook with a little house she loves to sleep in, we're around the house more than ever. We have considered that her missing patch of fur could be caused by stress, but I'm wondering whether a visit to the vet is in order. Does anyone know if this is play, stress or something else?

The first photo is from two days ago, the second is from today.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Furballsmom]

Hi! Welcome!!
Do you have a vet you're a current client with? Can you see if they'll look at an email with these two photos attached, and find out what they think?

 

[cristinamc]

Hi Furballsmom! Thank you for the warm welcome.

Our vet does not take online consultations and is only open for emergencies. That said, If this could require medication or specific treatment, I would look for a different one. I just wonder if I'm overreacting and I should just let it be for a few days. I tend to be a hypochondriac myself!

 

[Furballsmom]

I have to say, I find it a bit concerning that it grew in diameter that much...
Mamanyt1953 would this be something where chamomile tea would be helpful at all?

 

[Kat.]

My cat had something very similar, just smaller in that same place! I just assumed that hair came out when my cats were playing because my younger one likes to bite. It just went away on itself. But I didn't notice it getting bigger so it might be something entirely different.

 

[stephanietx]

It actually looks like it could be a bug bite that she's scratched at. Does she have any other sores like this? Have you tried putting something like a little bit of Neosporin on it?

 

[Kieka]

I'd be inclined to agree it looks like a bug bite that she itched or reacted too. Link had a similar spot a few years ago (we think his was an ant bite because he apparently thinks ants are fun to lay on top of). It looked like that after the scab fell off since it took the surrounding fur with it. If it doesn't spread further and isn't an open visible wound I'd feel comfortable just keeping an eye on it.

 

[cristinamc]

Thank you, everyone, for taking the time to provide your input!

I haven't put anything on it. I guess I was afraid of making it worse. She doesn't have any spots like this but she does sometimes lose fur on her nose. Our vet said it wasn't anything to worry about but I now wonder whether it could be related. I'll keep an eye on it over the next few days and monitor the size of this one and whether any others pop up.

Thanks again, I sincerely appreciate it!

 

[Furballsmom]

 

[Ghani]

Hello everyone,

First time on the site; hoping this community can maybe help.

Two days ago I noticed that my cat had a small patch of missing fur. She's a calico cat who is very active and playful and she'll even jump on walls! Yesterday the missing patch got bigger but today it looks the same. The skin where the fur is missing is clean, a bit red but less so than yesterday. No bleeding. It doesn't look like there's a scab but from very close it looks like there may be a scar. I've had cats my whole life and never seen anything like this, even in the ones that went outdoors!

Stout is an indoor cat and she's our only pet. With the situation now, we've been home 99% of the time for now more than 30 days. We don't get many things delivered and we'll seldom go on walks. I don't see how we could've brought back a fungus such as ringworm. She's been sneezing every now and then but she goes through periods like this. Otherwise, she's as playful as ever, not lethargic. Her ears are a normal temperature, she drinks and eats normally.

We live in a 3 1/2 apartment and while Stout has her own nook with a little house she loves to sleep in, we're around the house more than ever. We have considered that her missing patch of fur could be caused by stress, but I'm wondering whether a visit to the vet is in order. Does anyone know if this is play, stress or something else?

The first photo is from two days ago, the second is from today.

Thanks in advance!

View attachment 329922View attachment 329923

We have a 13 yo tabby rescue. If his tongue can reach his fur he licks it off. We tried Prozac, xanax, lavender & the special scent from the wall dispenser. He is content. He eats approximately (usually less) than one can of the highest protein cat food and a smattering of dry each day. He is not overly hungry and walks away from food. He plays with toys during the night and goes outside and goes walk about several times a day; he also goes up and down our stairs.
We tried to conform him to a lower weight and stop him from licking off his fur. All that accomplished was stress. He sleeps in the bed and loves faces rubs. He sees the vet 2x a year to check his blood - always good. We had him scanned for tumours, none. He drinks with his paw. He clearly had issues as a young cat. We love him and accept him now as an unusual cat. Our yard is large and fenced with vertical iron from which he can watch the world. He likes catnip.
He weighs 25 lbs. He seems content. We have had many cats, one crossed over at 21 the other 7 lived past 15 yo. Nicky was an international moggy complete with a UK/EU passport (as was our dog).
Our pets are loved. Your cat will be ok; love the moggy

 

[gilmargl]

I don't see how we could've brought back a fungus such as ringworm.

I've been looking through my photos hoping to find a cat with a fungus infection, just to show you what it can look like. Maybe it will put your mind at rest.

We thought this poor little abandoned kitten had just got over the worst of her problems - dehydration, cat flu and nits - when this suddenly appeared on her face. The vet took a scrape and it was a fungus. The photo is not nice to look at but, rest assured, she survived, was socialised with another abandoned litter, and, together with one of her new girlfriends, found a lovely new home.

 

[stephanietx]

Has your routine changed? Anything new going on in your home? Wondering if it could be triggered by stress.