Feline endocrine alopecia is skin condition that rarely occurs in cats. Fortunately, it isn’t much of a health concern. However, it may have a severe impact on your cat’s appearance. Your cat’s hair will start to thin out and may even fall out completely.

Cause

There is no known cause for this skin condition. Professionals suspect that it is primarily caused by hormonal problems. Hormones such as estrogen, testosterone, and the thyroid are thought to play a role.

Diagnosis

Feline endocrine alopecia is diagnosed by ruling out other illnesses that can cause hair loss. The veterinarian will have to perform a variety of diagnostic tests. Skin scrapings can be taken to rule out diseases caused by parasites. Also, a sample of your cat’s hair may be analyzed at the lab to test for feline ringworm. The veterinarian may also take a blood sample. This will be used to measure how the endocrine system is producing hormones.

Treatment

As mentioned earlier, the cause of feline endocrine alopecia is not known. Treatment of this condition consists of various forms of hormone therapy. Your cat will receive various treatments until a response is seen. Although treatment can cause the hair to grow back, it may also cause nasty side effects.