Cat bald spot above eye & hacking: Is it stress, allergy, or ringworm?

I would recommend a vet visit. There is a possibility that this could be ringworm which is a contagious fungal infection. It may just be a scratch or abrasion but the vet can look at it and determine if further testing or treatment is needed.

If Cali is behaving normally otherwise, you can try using an e-collar (cone) on her to prevent scratching or rubbing. This may allow time for healing. Also, check her over for fleas or flea dirt. If she is sensitive, just one flea bite could make her very itchy. A pheromonal product, such as Feliway spray or diffuser, may decrease any stress or anxiety due to your new addition (Congratulations, by the way!). Keep the Ivy out of reach if possible. While not high on the toxicity scale, ingestion or chewing of a leaf or two may cause irritation in and around the mouth and/or GI upset. Monitor for worsening of symptoms, squinting of the eye(s) or discharge. See your veterinarian for a physical exam to address non healing or additional symptoms.

Thank you for submitting your question regarding Henry. Is he pawing at his eyes or having discharge from the eyes? If so or if the whites of his eyes look red, then I worry that he has a primary eye problem. He could have an eye infection or be experiencing allergies. If this does not seem to be the case, then the hair loss is likely related to skin disease. He could have ringworm especially if he losing hair elsewhere. Mites can also cause baldness. Occasionally stress can cause a cat to over groom resulting in hair loss. Either way, he will likely need to see his veterinarian for a diagnosis and if any treatment is necessary. I hope this information helps!

This area doesn't look terribly suspicious of ringworm. It could have just been a scab that was there that fell off and took the hair with it. If you are really concerned though it is best to have your vet take a closer look at the area. THe hair needs to be parted and then the skin palpated to confirm if this was just a scab or if there is evidence on the skin of a possible infection (bacterial or fungal). I hope that things work out well for your pet Cam moving forward. Take care.

Hi there! Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! There is a variety of reasons that can explain alopecia or hair loss. The causes can easily be differentiated by the clinical signs associated with it and the physical exam findings. If he is only showing some hair loss without scratching or overgrooming then it could conditions such as alopecia areata that can affect cats and usually resolves on its own. If there is evidence of scratching and you start noticing some redness or irritation associated with it, then other conditions such as allergies are possible. If you notice himovergrooming himself in that area then it could be something like psychogenic alopecia which is more of a behavioral issue. I think that since he is not having overt clinical signs and it is mostly hair loss, I think it is possibly transient and could resolve on its own. You can monitor this closely and if it does not resolve or it worsens then have him examined by your veterinarian. Good luck!

Ouch! Since that is so close to the eye, it should be seen by a vet in person just to make sure it doesn't become infected and spread to the eye itself, and to try and figure out what may have caused the initial injury. Your vet can also provide any pain or antibiotic medications as needed to help the spot heal. Until you can get to the vet, it is best to keep the spot clean and dry, and make sure that the eye isn't bothered. An Elizabethan (cone) collar is also a good idea to prevent scratching at it which can lead to infection or accidental scratching of the eye.

Thank you for submitting your question regarding your cat. She may be experiencing an allergic reaction to something in your new place or she may be developing an eye infection. She should see her veterinarian tomorrow to have her eyes addressed. You can ask about her hair loss as well. Stress can cause an increase in shedding which could have been brought on by your move. Allergies, mites or ringworm can all cause hairloss as well. I hope this information helps!