A question for cat owners

[Skippy]

I don't know if anyone has any ideas but I thought I'd ask! Harry has afew bald patches - a large one on his belly (which seems to be growing back) and small patches on 3 of his legs.

They don't seem to be affecting him in any way - he doesn't lick or scratch them any more than the rest of his body, there is no rash and the rest of his coat is thick and soft. He's eating and drinking as normal, playing with his toys and sleeping as he usually does. He's also had his flea drops so it shouldn't be mites.

Does anyone have any ideas what could cause this or what I can do? I don't want to take him to the vet if I don't have to (obviously I would if he was suffering) but I don't have a clue what could be causing it!

[oscar]

hi Skippy it might be different in cats but all our labs have patches where they have their morning fight and nibble each other they are on their elbow areas and Hendrix even tried to give me one of these patches one day on my elbow he was so affectionate, what a shock! We use eumocream which is designed for humans but it helps stop the dryness and any irritation. Hugs
Oscar
x

[Skippy]

Thanks Oscar. Harry's patches are on the inside of each of his front legs (I want to call them arms!) and on the outside of his back leg and the one on his belly. I do wonder if he's somehow rubbed the fur away when he's out and about - he's not very good at climbing so tends to tunnel under the fence!

[footiemad]

Skippy - could it possibly be that his fur was a bit lumpy in those places and he has bitten them off. Reason for asking is that my cat does this - she has long hair and even though I often brush her, there are places I cannot get to and then they become clumps of fur which she eventually bites off. I do cut them sometimes when feeling brave. (this happens once a year) x

[Skippy]

I don't think so as he's a short hair (although my mum says he's a semi, whatever that is!) and I've never found any lumps or knots.

We've had a prod round his bald patches tonight and he wasn't bothered at all and nothing seemed to hurt so either he's self harming or he's got a case of alopecia! I don't want to put him through going to the vet if I can help it so fingers crossed it'll grow back!

Hope your cat's ok footiemad x

[kallis3]

Chances are that if you take him to the vet they will charge a fortune to do various tests which may not prove anything!!

I'd wait to see what happens.

[Skippy]

That's one of the reasons we're holding off at the moment! I don't want him being put through the tests unnecessarily, and I don't want to pay for it! Obviously I will if it get worse.

[Shining]

Ah bless him, hope it gets better, shall I mention it to my friend? x

[Skippy]

Would you mind Lesley? He's curled up asleep next to me bless him (not too close of course, I might think he likes me!) and I can't help thinking how handsome he is even with a few bald patches!

[kallis3]

Love him!!

[oscar]

Hope the lovely Harry is good today Skippy. Oscar must get really sick of me I'm always kissing and cuddling him his head smells of cinder toffee!
Oscar

[Skippy]

He's ok thanks Oscar - as handsome as ever and he knows it! Spoilt is not the word!

What sort of cat is Oscar?

[oscar]

He's a dog although he looks a bit like a cat when he's curled up on the tub chair on his faux fur throwover I don't know how he even gets in the chair but he can make himself so small for a labrador!
Oscar
x

[Skippy]

Ooops! Sorry - I hope I haven't offended Oscar!

[oscar]

ha ha quite the opposite he's sitting watching me wrap up halloween parcels for the kids when they knock and hoping there's a little dairy milk bar left at the end!
Oscar