Russian Blue Losing Hair

Hello,

Okay so I have a Russian Blue boy, he's about 4 months old and neutered, I got him a little over a month ago.

A few weeks ago I left him with my friend and her cat for 3 days (while I was gone for X-Mas) and when I got him back I noticed a scratch on the front of his neck. I assumed my friend's cat did that to him, but I didn't think much of it until he started losing the hair around the scratch as well as around his neck. Now the hair all around his neck is thin and there are patches of bald.

I asked my friend whether her cat had any illness/showed any signs of similar hair loss and she said no.

I took him to the vet and the vet said that it could be a number of things:

1. trauma from the scratch (which has healed),
2. allergies,
3. anxiety,
4. or some sort of parasite (although he has no signs of irritation). To do a skin scraping would've have cost me a lot so I decided to think about it before I did it and get a second opinion (hence asking you!).

What I've Noticed:

I have noticed he has been licking and biting himself insistently lately and he is a lot more skittish lately as well. He has always been a cry baby, but his crying seems different and now he seems to cry a lot when I pick him up or hold him, whereas before he wouldn't do that - before he cried for me to hold him. He also seems to almost wheeze sometimes? I don't know if that's the accurate word for it, but it's the best description I got. It sounds like he sneezes sometimes as well. He eats and drinks normally, but I found for the past few days he wants to drink out of the toilet...

I have changed the litter recently (changed it after I got him back from my friend, but before I noticed any weird signs) and I'm wondering if that could be an issue? I use the same food the breeder I got him from used, so I doubt that's the issue.

I really don't know where to start... Skin scraping? Changing litter? Or could it be anxiety/stress from when he was with the other cat or stress from constantly changing houses and it's just starting to show?

I just don't want it to get worse. :(

I've attached a photo, the hair loss started in the front, but as I said, it has come full circle to around the back of his neck and head under his ears as well.

Thanks in advance.

MG

Reply
Hi
Really does sound like either an allergy or a parasite issue to me. His crying is an indication that the area is causing him some discomfort and stress.

My previous cat had a similar thing which turned out to be an allergic reaction to flea bites. Even though she was treated for fleas and did not have them, it only took one to jump on her and bite her to set off a reaction.

Your best option is to get a skin scraping to make sure that there are no parasites involved first. The if that is all clear you can start to talk to your vet about cat allergies etc.
https://www.our-happy-cat.com/cat-allergy.html
I hope you can get this sorted out soon, it’s never nice to see your cat in distress.

Best wishes kate

Comments

Issue Solved
by: MG

Hi Everyone,

I know it's been a LONG time since I posted my original question, but I thought I should return with the cause of this issue, just in case anyone else out there has the same problem.

It ended up being a very rare parasite called Demodex Gatoi - which seems to be more common (although still rare) on the Russian Blue breed.

The only current solution for this mite is a Lyme Sulfur Dip, which is very stinky and difficult to apply safely, but works wonders.

Had to bathe him in it a few times and our house smelt like rotten eggs for weeks, but he did recover and has not had a problem since. :)

Comment from Kate
Thank you so much for letting us know the outcome.

Poor baby
by: Anonymous

I have a Russian Blue/tabby mix. He is my baby. I've had him since he was a few weeks old. Russian Blues bond very closely with their owner. My cat basically has OCD with cleaning himself. I know he goes a little overboard when he is away from me or nervous/anxious. With that, he loses fur and has scabs. This could be your issue. From him being away from you a few days, could have freak him out and went into cleaning overdrive. The crying when picked up could be a resentment type thing. When I left mine for a few days he'd be pissed at me.

Best bet is he stressed out being away from you. Give him a bath (in case it is fleas) and love up on him a lot to make up.
He is so pretty
by: Muddy

I am sorry for his hard times and missing fur. He is a beautiful cat.

---