Vitiligo in cats is a rare disease that can affect our four-legged friends. Let’s see together what it is.
When you adopt a cat and decide to share your life with him, the first thought is to make him happy but above all to keep him healthy.
We may notice changes in the color of your cat’s skin or coat over time. It could be vitiligo. Let’s see together what it is and if we need to worry.
Vitiligo in cats: how it manifests itself and what are the causes
The vitiligo is a rare condition that can affect dogs, but also cats.
This disease mainly affects the animal’s skin, causing it to blotch, but white hairs on the cat’s coat may also be seen.
But why does this happen? It is important to know that the cat’s skin contains cells, melanocytes. The latter produce a very important pigment that gives color to the skin and hair of the animal, namely melanin.
When melanin is no longer produced, because cells are destroyed or die, there is the presence of vitiligo.
The latter, according to many scientists, is hereditary and can be classified into two types:
Focal: affects only one part of the cat’s body;
Generalized: there is the presence of more white spots on the cat’s body.
Although this disease is genetic, it is not visible at the birth of the cat, but the spots appear over time.
Vitiligo is easily noticeable in a black cat. However, this condition can affect cats with any colored coat. In addition, there is a specific cat breed that is more likely to inherit this condition, namely the Siamese cat .
Vitiligo in cats: diagnosis
In the event that your four-legged friend suddenly presents white spots on the body it is advisable to go to the vet.
The latter through a visit and a histological examination of the areas devoid of melanin, can diagnose vitiligo in cats.
However, this pathology is not serious, as it is painless for our four-legged friend. It is mostly an aesthetic problem of the cat.
So if your beloved feline has spots on his coat or skin, don’t worry.
