Cat scratching and losing hair? Everyone always thinks only about fleas. But what if we told you that it could be Demodicosis? When we talk about Demodicosis, we always think of red mange of the dog. Yet it also exists Feline demodicosis. It is talked about less because it is the least common mite disease in cats, but it must also be said that it is usually rarely looked for and perhaps it is under diagnosed. But what symptoms does it cause in cats? And how is it treated?
Cat demodicosis: causes
Without prejudice to the controversy between those who think that cat demodicosis is the least common form of feline mite disease and those who maintain that in reality it is the least frequently diagnosed form, feline demodicosis is supported both by Demodex cati than from another Demodex whose name is not yet known.
It’s about mites specific species (they have six legs in the larval form and eight in that of nymphs and adults), so usually the dog ones only affect dogs and the cat ones only cats. They also do not have direct transmission, but are transmitted from mother to puppies.
As a life cycle, it follows that of Demodex canis. Mites live in hair follicles of hair.
Can cat demodicosis be transmitted to humans?
No, there Feline demodicosis is not transmitted to humans. However the Notoedric mange in cats yes (some even call it cat scabies). Although we usually do not develop the crusty lesions typical of cats since we are not the preferential hosts, but only dermatitis with severe itching.
Symptoms of demodicosis in cats
THE Typical skin symptoms of demodicosis in cats they occur in cats of any age and breed. Although it seems that the Siamese is particularly susceptible to this infestation. These symptoms, however, vary somewhat depending on the species affecting the cat.
The unnamed Demodex tends to live on the stratum corneum of the skin and causes symptoms such as:
Typically the lesions are located on the head, neck, groin and paws.
There differential diagnosis happens with several others cat skin diseases:
However, as regards Demodex cati, here is what it causes:
It rarely generalizes causing lesions all over the body. Usually these generalized forms are linked to the simultaneous presence of other diseases such as FIV, FeLV, diabetes, Cushing’s syndrome or even immune-mediated diseases.
Treatment of demodicosis in cats
There therapy for demodicosis in cats it has a more limited therapeutic range than the dog. The basic proposal is to use pesticides based on ivermectin. The alternative is to make some bathrooms with specific productsbut be careful: giving your cat a bath is not always easy and there is always the risk that the cat accidentally ingests the water with the aforementioned products dissolved in it, risking becoming intoxicated.
Any other concomitant diseases should also be treated.
Cat scratching? There are many causes
And here are some causes why the cat scratches. Which explains why making a diagnosis is not easy. Cat scratching is not the same as “this disease”but it is a symptom of several diseases:
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