Allergies can cause unsightly problems that can be treated by veterinary professionals.
“It is not uncommon for cats to be diagnosed [with] psychological problems” when they lick their hair out, said Paul Bloom, DVM, a board-certified veterinary dermatologist in Michigan.
“We encourage people to come in because we can’t diagnose over the phone. They [clients] might think it’s allergies and the problem turns out to be a parasitic skin disease caused by microscopic mites. One client thought [her] dog had hives and concluded it was allergic, but it turned out the symptoms were more like small pimples from a primary bacterial infection.”
-Julie Patton, certified veterinary technician |
One cat he saw had been diagnosed with psychogenic alopecia (excessive grooming that is prompted by an emotional or psychological problem that can cause hair loss) but after conducting tests, Bloom discovered that the cat had ringworm, a fungal infection that was causing the problem. Once he treated the ringworm, the cat stopped itching and its hair grew back.
Julie Patton, a certified veterinary technician (CVT), says that clients frequently misdiagnose a pet’s problems, which is why clinic visits are so important.
“We encourage people to come in because we can’t diagnose over the phone,” Patton said. “They might think its allergies and the problem turns out to be a parasitic skin disease caused by microscopic mites. One client thought [her] dog had hives and concluded it was allergic, but it turned out the symptoms were more like small pimples from a primary bacterial infection,” Patton said.
It takes a trained eye to tell the difference, but the key to an accurate diagnosis is for pet owners to keep a close eye on their pets and report signs immediately to veterinary professionals.
This article originally appeared in PetsMatter Volume 2 Issue 2, published by the American Animal Hospital Association. Copyright © 2009 AAHA. Find out more.