Have you noticed some whitish or pinkish spots on the gum, face or eyes of your cats? That might be vitiligo. This is an interesting skin condition that could occur in some cat breeds, dogs and even humans, but it becomes surprising when it happens in cats who are always covered in fur. In this article, you will find out if cats could have vitiligo, the causes, symptoms and treatment.
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Can Cats Have Vitiligo
Based on a study, it has been concluded that cats whose breeds are genetically predisposed to vitiligo based on some factors are most likely to have them. This has been evident in cat breeds like the Burmese, Persian and Siamese cats especially in young adult cats.
This skin condition is not contagious and doesn’t spread from one cat to another, but does occur when the conditions are right. It presents as a patchy skin discoloration that can be detected with the Petcube camera. This camera can help notice patchy discoloured skin when placed strategically in the house like in the feeding area or resting area.
Vitiligo in Cats Causes and Symptoms
Vitiligo in cats is not very common but can occur following a pattern of hereditary in some cats. Cats who have vitiligo recorded in their family history have a high chance of having it. Apart from genetics, here are some of the other possible factors that could lead to Vitiligo:
Aside from these environmental factors, vitiligo in cats can be triggered by some underlying health conditions such as; cutaneous lupus, periocular leukotrichia, and even scar tissue from a wound could lead to vitiligo.
Symptoms of vitiligo are unique and simple to identify as patchy light pink/white discoloured parts of the skin coat and sometimes the fur. This can easily be identified in cats with short coats such as the Burmese cats. This discolouration could occur around the face, nose, eyes, footpads, gum and other parts of the body.
“My cat has been turning white in the past five years. When taken to the Vet, it was confirmed it has vitiligo”, - Reddit User
Cats with vitiligo may show symptoms other than skin discoloration, they may become cranky, fatigued and lose appetite especially when there is an accompanying health condition.
Vitiligo in Cats Treatment
Research shows that treatment of vitiligo in cats has not been widely available. This is because vitiligo is a harmless condition and almost natural in prone breeds and agent cats. Since the condition is painless, many cat owners might not have given it a thought to treat.
“There is no available vitiligo treatment option that could re-pigment your pet’s skin or fur”, - Dr. JoAnna Pendergrass
Vitiligo could be managed through some practices like exposure to the sun to allow cats to regain new melanocytes which might re-pigment the affected areas. Also, removing all triggers of environmental stress such as toxins or chemicals would go a long way to managing vitiligo.
I had a similar experience with my cat sometime, she would go out into the garden and play with flowers. She developed vitiligo due to contact with some plant chemicals. Her skin recovered much after I stopped her from going in there.
A diet change would have a great impact on the skin of your cat, especially a balanced diet containing Omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin C. This helps nourish the skin and fur, producing more healthy fur and a shiny coat.
When vitiligo is caused by an underlying health condition like an autoimmune disease, general immunosuppressants may be recommended by the Vet. Such treatment could cost a lot but would not if you opt-in for the Petcube Emergency Fund that offers $3000 coverage in vet fees. Join now by using the exclusive link to get a 27% discount.
Before considering treating vitiligo at home, it is advisable to seek a recommendation from a Veterinarian. A proper family history of the cat should be taken and a diagnosis done to determine if the vitiligo is linked to genetics, environmental factors or an underlying health condition.
Conclusion
Vitiligo in cats has a very good prognosis since it doesn’t affect the normal life of the cat. It is just a change of skin colour in some parts of the body which might be re-pigmented when managed properly. Cat parents should know their cat’s family history in order to plan ahead and be well prepared. With less stress and a trigger-free environment, vitiligo wouldn’t be that bad.
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