Expert: Tomay - 6/4/2010

Question
I have a outdoor Siamese who is starting to lose his hair at an alarming rate. Every time you touch him you end up covered in clumps of  fur. I was wondering if it could be an allergic reaction to the new flea stuff we used. If it is, will a bath help or should we try something different?

Answer
Hello Amber,
Both of the reasons you cite could be possibilities.  Spring and early summer are heavy shed times for both cats and dogs.  So, excessive shedding could just be the normal reaction to season change.  Allergies could also play a part.  Some pets will, indeed, have bad reactions to different types of flea medications, but usually any hair loss because of it would be in the area of the topical treatment.  Bathing will help with releasing the coat, but be aware that if you do this in a sink or bathtub,  you will need to take precautions to be sure the drain does not get plugged with hair!  I am not a vet, but I do know that there are also medical reasons for excessive and sudden shedding.  So, a trip to the vet may be in order just to rule out any thyroid issues or disease of any kind.
Thank you for your inquiry and your interest in this site.
I wish you the best.
Tomay