Hairless Dry Patch on Kitten’s Left Ear

June 20, 2014

Hi Mary-Jane,
In a 12 week old kitten, with hair loss on the ear, my first suspicion is *ringworm*, which is caused by a fungus. Typical strains are Microsporum canis and Trichophyton mentagrophytes.

Since it IS contagious to humans, I advise that you take your kitten to a veterinarian to have her diagnosed and treated as soon as possible. Children and immuno-suppressed adults are the most susceptible. It is spread by *direct* contact and *indirect* contact. (Indirect contact means that anything she is in contact with, and then that object touches you, will spread the fungus to you.)

Stress from a recent vaccination, dry cat food, or toxins, such as a flea/tick prevention can be a trigger. A holistic veterinarian can diagnose and prescribe some more natural treatments, and more specific precautions you can take to stop the spread, if it is a fungus.

Another resource for vets knowledgeable in homeopathy is AVH.org.

Please keep us posted by coming back to this page and clicking the ‘click here to add your own comments’ link below.

Take care,
Dr. Carol Jean Tillman

DISCLAIMER: The above should never replace the advice of your local veterinarian, as they have the ability to evaluate your dog in person.