Hello,
I am sorry your kitty is having trouble. As cats age it is not uncommon for them to experience changes in skin and hair coat. Some of these changes have no obvious cause, and some are related to illness. Cats are considered to be geriatric at 8 years old and can be prone to illness as they age. The 3 most common ailments known to afflict elderly cats are diabetes, kidney disease and hyperthyroidism. The symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea, increased water consumption, increased urination, dehydration, weakness, weight loss, muscle wasting, poor hair coat, changes in appetite, changes in behavior and increased vocalizations. The illness most commonly associated with changes in skin and hair coat would be hyperthyroidism, but a trip to the vet for an exam, blood and urine tests will be necessary to determine what is going on. Cats instinctively hide illness so having kitty seen at the earliest onset is a good way to ensure the easiest and least expensive treatment. Please have him seen as soon as you can and let me know if I can be of further assistance. If this has been helpful, please hit the green accept button. Good luck, I hope nothing too serious is going on.
Emergency Critical Care Nurse
16+ years of veterinary experience