Hello, we have 2 Maine Coons and we recently noticed a bald spot on the male's tummy. It's a pretty good size and there is no rash or scratch. He is otherwise in perfect health. Just wondering if this is normal (he's almost 8 yrs old) or perhaps we never noticed it before. But he gets lots of tummy rubs so I think this is a result of hair loss. Thanks very much for any help.

-- Anonymous, February 07, 2001

Answers

FWTW = I have a pair of 6 month old kittens, both spayed. The female is the Maine Coon and the male is a DSH tabby. The male washes the MC's ears so affectionately that the hairs and the back of her ears and the hair on top of her head between her ears and eyes are breaking off making her appear to be going bald! The vet said her health checked out as an A-plus, so she recommended that as long as the male didn't create an open wound with his "ministerings" to let it go and hope the behavior will fade with time and the fur should grow back.

>^..^< BJ

-- Anonymous, February 10, 2001

Some cats have very sensitive skin and will pull out their fur or lick their fur until they have a bald patch when exposed to something that makes their skin itch. It may be flea bites, chemicals and/or coloring dyes used in their food, a new type of laundry detergent used to clean your bedclothes, a different cleaning product used on your floors, etc. Also the air could be very dry in the house in the winter. Try a bath with a shampoo with oatmeal in it or one for dry skin and check for new products in your house.

-- Anonymous, February 14, 2001

You may want to have the cat checked for ring worm. My rescued MC had it when I adopted him. Basically, he just had a bald spot on his head. I believe the vet can test it using a black light. The area will glow a different irridescent color if infected with ring worm.

=^.^=

Good luck, K Sie

-- Anonymous, February 16, 2001