my cat, Tilly

Question
My cat, Tilly has been acting sick and just today I noticed a patch of fur missing right in front of he hind leg.  It doesn't look like a bite because the skin isn't broken but i'm not sure.  She has also been walking slowly and her front paw hits the ground twice before she actually goes on to a different leg to step. What do you think she has and how would she get better?

Answer
Hi Lena!  Many things could be causing Tilly to react like this.  Your best bet would be to take Tilly to your veterinarian.  Hairloss is a symptom of Feline Eosinophelic Granuloma Complex (a skin disorder caused by an auto-immune deficiancy that is treated with steroids), Allergies (which are treated with steroids), or Hyperthyroidism (which is treated with medication).  Take a look at her front paw and the paw pads. If there is swelling, redness and/or scabs/bleeding, this would most likely be feline eosinophelic gramulomas.  They will cause hair loss and swelling in certain areas making the areas tender. The most common places for this to show up would be the lips, belly, legs and paws/paw pads.  Your veterinarian will probably want to do a skin culture and some blood work to pin point exactly what is going on with Tilly.  Any cause of these symptoms should be successfully treated with medications, so I wouldn't be overly concerned with a major health problem.
Please let me know how it goes,
Hilary