My cat has skin lesions and hair loss. What's the cause and cure?

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! This could be a benign or malignant growth. There is no way of knowing what it is just based on its appearance. This is often differentiated by a test called a fine needle aspirate (FNA) which is a pain free, inexpensive and easy procedure which in most cases will help reach a diagnosis. Sometimes a biopsy is needed for a definitive diagnosis. I recommend that you have him evaluated by your veterinarian for further assessment and treatment. I am really hoping for something benign. Good luck and have a good night!

This overgrooming behavior is often due to stress and/or allergies. You can try using Feliway a pheromone diffuser which often relaxes cats. I've also had success with the anti anxiety supplement Solliquin. Solliquin is a soft chew and most cats like it. If giving oral medication is making Jasper stressed out then I would go back to giving the steroid injection for a while. You can also have the medication compounded into a tuna flavored liquid you can mix in the food then you wouldn't have pill Jasper. This is a difficult problem and you've done well controlling it. I also often try a long acting antibiotic injection as this will stop any infection in the skin and that may reduce the chewing and biting. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to help you care for Jasper.

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! While it is hard to tell just in these pictures, I think cancer is less likely and something more benign like allergies and dermatitis is more likely. Ultimately, this requires further investigation to know for sure. This is possibly due to allergies. It really comes down to figuring out what is causing her allergies so that they can be treated or the specific allergen avoided. A secondary infection is likely and also needs to be addressed. There are many things that can cause allergies though in most cases they can be broken down into 3 big categories: flea, food and environmental allergies. Allergies are usually worked up in a stepwise fashion starting with flea allergies as this is the easiest and cheapest to take care of. If not on a flea preventative, then it would be a good idea to get started on one. If already on one then it would be a good idea to change to something else (there are many new products out in the market). If not improved in 1-3 months then it is time to move on and check for food allergies by switching to a novel diet (new protein and new carbohydrate). If that does not seem to be the issue then you are left out having to check for environmental allergies which require blood and/or skin tests. Allergies can be very frustrating to deal with at first but so rewarding at the end when we are able to treat them effectively!

It sounds like Fatsy may be overgrooming due to stress and causing hair loss and sores. He also could have an allergy causing the symptoms you are describing. This does not sound like cancer. Usually with cancer the tumor is under the skin, feels like a hard irregular mass and is often attached to the underlying tissue. The medication should reduce the skin itch and inflammation and help the raw area heal. Make sure there are no fleas, and using a Feliway diffuser sometime help cats relax, reduces stress and the overgrooming. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to help you care for Fatsy.

It sounds like there are a couple of things going on with Jax. Not eating can be due to systemic illness, infection, inflammation, or injury. The licking and hair loss can be due to fleas, mites, or allergies. Not eating will lead to weight loss. Have him seen by a vet for these problems today.

Poor guy. It sounds like Maxx either has allergic dermatitis (to something in the environment), skin mites, ringworm, or even an immune mediated skin disorder is possible. I would first have him examined by your vet for a few skin tests (Skin scrape to rule out mites, and consider a ringworm test if the lesions are circular and red). Then the vet can prescribe the appropriate treatment based on the findings of those tests. Typically as long as ringworm is not likely, cats respond well to steroids and antibiotics. I hope that Maxx's skin heals well soon! Best wishes and take care.

[Allergies](https://www.petcoach.co/cat/condition/feline-allergies/) are the most common cause of hair loss and [excessive grooming in cats](https://www.petcoach.co/article/excessive-grooming-in-cats-what-it-means-and-how-to-help), but there are several other medical causes as well - including [fleas](https://www.petcoach.co/article/5-tips-to-get-rid-of-fleas/), bacterial or fungal infections, or skin mites. I would definitely start your cat on a good monthly spot-on product such as [Advantage II](https://www.petco.com/shop/en/petcostore/product/cat/cat-flea-and-tick/cat-flea-and-tick-drops/advantage-ii-once-a-month-cat-and-kitten-topical-flea-treatment-over-9-lbs) to make sure fleas are not the problem - you can get this over the counter at many pet stores. If this doesn't resolve the problem, you will need to have your cat examined by a vet - he/she can do some testing if needed to diagnose the problem and get your kitty the appropriate prescription medications to treat it. Behavioral causes, such as stress or anxiety, can also lead to overgrooming. [Calming supplements](https://www.petco.com/shop/en/petcostore/category/cat/cat-training/cat-training-calming-aids/calming-cat-supplements) or [pheromone products](https://www.petco.com/shop/en/petcostore/brand/feliway) can be found at the lcocal Petco. If these do not improve the condition, your veterinarian may recommend prescription strength remedies.