Feline Endocrine Alopecia Symptoms and Treatments

Feline endocrine alopecia is a rare skin condition of cats. The cause is unknown but it is hypothesized to be hormonal in origin. Several hormones have been considered to play a role in feline endocrine alopecia including thyroid hormone, estrogen and testosterone.

Alopecia is the name given to balding. Feline endocrine alopecia is a type of balding seen most often in neutered males and spayed middle-aged females. A hormone deficiency has long been suspected as the cause of the problem, but hormone assays usually are normal. Psychogenic alopecia occurs in the same age range. It is possible that many cases attributed to hormone deficiency actually are cases of compulsive self-grooming.

Loss of hair occurs in a symmetrical pattern on the lower part of the abdomen, perineum and genital areas and on the insides of the back legs. Only in severe cases is the remainder of the coat affected. Some cats grow back the hair only to lose it again later. Itching is not a problem here.

Recommended Treatment: This is mainly a cosmetic condition. Treatment with sex hormones is not recommended owing to serious side effects that include liver and bone marrow toxicity.

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