What are the reasons for baldness on both sides of a cat's ears?

Baldness on both sides of a cat's ears may be caused by various reasons such as gene expression, ear mites, ringworm, external parasite infection, scratches, and more. Due to the numerous potential causes, it is recommended that cat owners take their pets to a veterinary hospital promptly for hair removal, scraping for microscopic examination, and examination under a Wood's lamp to determine the exact reason behind the baldness. Treatment can then be administered accordingly. Additionally, cat owners should also regularly deworm their pets both internally and externally, clean their ears, disinfect their living environment, and enhance their resistance to diseases to prevent such issues.

Gene Expression

If a cat experiences baldness on both sides of its ears without any other abnormal symptoms, it may be due to genetic reasons. As the cat grows, the hair on both sides of its ears may thin or shorten, which is a normal genetic expression and nothing to worry about.

Ear Mites

Cats with ear mites often scratch their ears due to the itchiness, which can lead to hair loss and baldness on both sides of their ears. Additionally, black or brown dry earwax can be found in the cat's external ear canal. The main treatments include topical parasiteicides containing selenium sulfide or ivermectin drops in the ear, applied once every 1-2 weeks for 3-5 consecutive weeks. When there is a lot of earwax, it is better to clean the ear canal first before applying the medication.

Ringworm

When a cat has ringworm, the clinical symptoms mainly include skin itchiness, hair loss, fluid leakage, and crusting. The diagnosis primarily relies on Wood's lamp examination, direct hair examination, and fungal culture. Treatment involves using antifungal topical sprays, and oral fungal medications may be prescribed for severe cases.

External Parasite Infection

If a cat is infected with external parasites such as fleas or ticks, it may also experience itchiness and constant scratching, resulting in thinning hair on both sides of the ears. In this case, cat owners should promptly apply an Elizabethan collar to prevent the cat from scratching and deworm the cat externally.

Scratches

Cats' claws are very sharp, and if they get into fights with other cats or accidentally scratch their ears while playing, they may experience hair loss on both sides of their ears due to skin damage. In this scenario, promptly disinfect the wound with iodine solution, and monitor for improvement. If there is still bleeding, apply a topical spray to promote skin repair. Ensure the cat wears an Elizabethan collar to prevent continuous scratching and hinder the wound from healing.