Skin discoloration

[karmacat]

My five-year-old Bengal has just developed a light brown skin discoloration right in front of both ears;  these patches also have a small amount of hair loss.  This has appeared overnight.  The areas aren't itchy or sensitive to touch.  The only change in the environment has been that another cat was just put on Xanax and Prozac for anxiety, but the Bengal has not had any of this medication.  I can't think of any new environmental factors.  He is eating, drinking, and behaving normally.  Should I be concerned?

[mariseixas]

So, I see this post is very old, but my cat has the same problem.... what happened to your cat? What were the spots about??

[Savas]

Hmm...well, let me know how it goes. I hope it's just mites...that would be the easiest thing.

[karmacat]

The fur was brown/orange, and the discoloration is light brown, however, the discoloration has now spread into the skin of his inner ear and is showing up on his chin as freckling.  We'll be off to the vet this afternoon . . .  Thanks for your help.

[Savas]

It is a possible theory. Here's a question, what color was the fur there? Because the skin is the exact same color of the fur that was there. So if the fur was brownish...that's why it's got brownish skin underneath. :)

[karmacat]

Thanks, Savas.  No  . . I'm not sure the skin wasn't this color before and just now visible because of the hair loss.  The areas are relatively small and fairly symmetrical, which is odd.  Of course, that raises the question of why the hair loss.  (It's been a stressful few months for my guys--cross-country move.)  I'll probably take him in to a vet shortly, but I don't think I'll treat it as an emergency since he seems so normal and bouncy.  Thanks again for your opinion.

[Savas]

If you can...have it checked out on the off chance it's a skin cancer. Otherwise, if he's not uncomfortable...and nothing seems wrong...keep an eye on it. Sorry, not that helpful, but skin changes are tricky things. They tend to be parasites if it's not itchy/scabbing flaking or anything like that.

Also, are you sure the discoloration wasn't already there but until the fur loss happened you didn't know?

There's a number of things that can cause skin discolorations, some are recessive gene disorders, some signs of vitamin deficiencies... which is why it's hard to be specific on this one. Sorry :)