Black cat turning grey, losing hair.

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canopeily@yahoo.com - 07 Jan 2007 20:39 GMT

Hello group!

I have a long haired black cat with a white bib who is about 5 years
old. She is an indoor cat and seems to not have any problems. Her hair
on the center of her back is turning grey and thinning quickly. She is
on the same diet and there have been no additions to the household to
cause anxiety. Any ideas where I can begin?

Most appreciative,

Thomas.

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amyt - 07 Jan 2007 21:52 GMT

Hi Thomas

As a cat owner for more than 20 years, I have seen cats develop
dull-coloured fur, white patches, grey patches, you name it. I would
be concerned that this is happening to a 5-year old cat, though. I've
only seen fur change colour in much older cats (10-15 years old),
towards the end of their lives.

Thinning fur is not a good sign, it could mean a skin infection
underneath the fur. Hair loss is often attributed to stress. Any
changes in the house? New baby? New animal? Renovation? Exposure to
more light can have the same effect (hair loss) as well as drastic
temperature changes. Has the cat been exposed to more light than
usual? Keep us posted and good luck!

> Hello group!
>
[quoted text clipped - 7 lines]
>
> Thomas.

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canopeily@yahoo.com - 08 Jan 2007 21:48 GMT

> Hi Thomas

Any changes in the house? New baby? New animal? Renovation?
Exposure to

> more light can have the same effect (hair loss) as well as drastic
> temperature changes. Has the cat been exposed to more light than
> usual? Keep us posted and good luck!
>
> :)

No changes of any type. No added stresses (other than my rising bills!)
of any kind.
The same lighting and furniture and the same old television shows. She
is not scratching or rubbing. I don't think she knows about it.

Strange, perhaps a vet in the near future.

Thanks again.

>> > Most appreciative,
> >
> > Thomas.

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KMP - 09 Jan 2007 02:22 GMT

Our kitten had one grey patch on her back when she was about three
months old. We changed her food from IAMS to Purina Pro and the grey
spot went away - I'm not saying it was her food, but her coat improved a
lot. It might be that she could use a change in food. Get a small bag of
another food and see if that helps...
Kathy

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Grunty Grogan - 09 Jan 2007 15:18 GMT

>Our kitten had one grey patch on her back when she was about three
>months old. We changed her food from IAMS to Purina Pro and the grey
>spot went away - I'm not saying it was her food, but her coat improved a
>lot. It might be that she could use a change in food. Get a small bag of
>another food and see if that helps...

Long haired black cats often have allergies to some food additives.
One of the worst offenders is wheat products. Some cats do not
tolerate the amino acid glutamine.
I had trouble with one of mine on an Iams food. She began losing fur,
and her skin broke out in a horrible rash.
My sister in law also had a similar problem with her black long-hair,
and switched to lamb abd rice foods.
Mine was on a Limited Diets food from the Vet for years..Duck and
green Pea. (No grain products used). However, $$$$$

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Ruth Russell - 13 Jan 2007 04:41 GMT

Thomas,

You really need to take the cat to the vet and have a complete blood workup.
It could be an allergy, it could also be kidney disease. I had two ferral
cats from the same very inbred colony. Both succumed to kidney failure.
One of them had thinning hair all down her spine, she was only 4 1/2 when
her kidneys totally failed.

Good luck.

Ruth

> Hello group!
>
[quoted text clipped - 7 lines]
>
> Thomas.

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