Why is my kitten losing facial hair, whiskers, and has ear discharge?

I am sorry to hear about your kitten! From the photos you show, the thinned hair in the areas in front of the ears can be a normal variation. If you notice any redness/bumps/scabs on the area or the hair thins so much that there are bald spots then this would be concerning and we would worry about things such as external parasites, ringworm (a fungal infection), bacterial infection. We may also worry about infection inside the ears from bacteria, yeast, or mites, if the kitten is rubbing/scratching at the ears there thereby rubbing the area in front of the ears as a result causing damage to the skin. If there are other pets or small children in the house I would wonder if the longer whiskers were removed from play with them, or if the kitten goes outdoors. I would, however, recommend an examination if your kitten is acting lethargic. This is a very vague symptoms so there could be a multitude of causes and a physical exam may better help the vet determine the possible cause of lethargy.

Thank you for submitting your question regarding Crabcake. I recommend that he sees his veterinarian to ensure the hair loss is not problematic. Ringworm is unfortunately common in kittens. This could be spread to people and other pets in your home. Hopefully this is not the case, but you will want to know. I hope this information helps!

Hi, and thanks for your question. This could be due to an infection, likely to be cause by mites or a fungus. First of all I would recommend to ask the vet to perform a skin scrape - this might reveal an infection or a mite infestation. Once diagnosis has been established appropriate treatment may be needed. Hope this answer was helpful, but please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further. If this answer was helpful please let us know, this will be used to improve our service!

This could be due to a localized infection. One possibility (considering the recent illness) is a form of calicivirus that attacks the skin. This usually resolves on its own within 2-3 weeks, but may be complicated by secondary infections. This could also be due to a bacterial or fungal infection. It's best to take Miso to the vet (possibly the shelter vet), so they can try to identify the cause of this. For now, you can help by keeping the nose clean. You can do this by gently wiping with a cloth and warm water twice a day. You can then apply a triple antibiotic cream to the affected area after each wash. I hope that helps and Miso gets better soon.

This sign could be compatible with an upper respiratory tract inflammation/infection or possibly to a chronic conjunctivitis (likely viral with a secondary bacterial infection). A clinical examination at your local veterinarian is essential to confirm these clinical suspicions and treat appropriately. Antibiotics may be needed and will solve quickly the problem. Hope this answer was helpful, but please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further.

Yes. Especially with kittens, ringworm (which humans can get) and bacterial infections are common. It’s best to get a handle on this early. I hope this is helpful and please feel free to post any additional questions.

Some hair growth issues can be caused by ringworm, and I would recommend that Miho get checked out by a vet. Other causes of brittle hair or slow growth include improper nutrition, intestinal parasites, or other health issues. After examination and a medical history discussion, the vet can make recommendations for treatment or supplements to improve the condition of her fur.