Losing hair

[Pam Flachs]

I sure hope you can figure out what is causing his symptoms, Jacq. Treating for fleas sounds like a good place to start; he may have a flea allergy, but that wouldn't explain the weight gain.....

 

[Jacq]

Update on Razi: Well, my vet talked to an exotic animal dermatologist, and she said that zoo animals and other exotics sometimes suffer from SAD (seasonal affective disorder) in the wintertime, and the symptoms are hair loss and weight gain. When the days get longer with more sunshine, it goes away. Razi has been treated for fleas (which I don't believe he ever had), and continues to lose hair. He does look a little thinner though. Either way, they just don't know.

 

[SV Dad]

Ok, another thought. Forget about the weight gain. Has a topical fungal skin infection been ruled out?

 

[WitchyWoman]

Great question rascaldad! And if it is SAD, did the exotic experts say whether or not felines respond to light therapy?

 

[SV Dad]

Great question rascaldad! And if it is SAD, did the exotic experts say whether or not felines respond to light therapy?

I was kicking around the vitamin D deficiency aspect and it doesn't appear to be an issue with cats. Unless there is a unusual diet. I presume commercial cat food for Razi.

 

[Jacq]

They didn't say. My vet said if he doesn't start growing back hair in the next week or so, she will do a skin scraping.

 

[Jacq]

Razi is on a raw diet.

 

[Jacq]

It's the same raw diet he's been on since I got him at 4 months. Allison, his breeder, fed him raw as a kitten as well.

 

[SV Dad]

Another shot in the dark. I read this website. Not sure about credibility (as it is a supplier of supplements) but it does give some insight as to what I was sniffing around about. Not so much as photosynthesized Vitamin D, but the ratio of calcium to phosphorous in the diet has me scratching my head.
http://www.dsm.com/en_US/html/dnpna/anh_comp_vit_d_req.htm

 

[Pam Flachs]

Shoot, Jacq. I was hoping you'd find out what is bothering Razi. My sister's big boy (a BG/Abby cross) exhibited the same symptoms as Razi. After many tests, vet opinions and theories, it was determined to be a flea allergy, though she never saw any fleas. The symptoms went away when she stopped letting him out in the catio with it's grass floor. She lives in Florida, so fleas (and it could be just one) may be what is causing Razi's hair loss? It wouldn't explain the weight gain, though. Interesting about the SAD link in animals. I believe that is a good theory concerning Razi for you to consider.....