How to understand that a cat has scabies mites: features and types

How to understand that a cat has scabies mites
How to understand that a cat has scabies mites

Greetings! Do you often take your pets to the vet? You need to do this fairly regularly so as not to miss important symptoms. So we can say your cat is itching or is it ticks?

Recently, it was they who were discovered by a cat friend and, judging by the diagnosis, the animal suffered for at least six months ... In this regard, I will tell you how to understand that a cat has itch mites. All the details are below!

Scabies mite in cats

Feline sarcoptosis, also known as scabies, is a highly contagious parasitic disease caused by a mite called Sarcoptes scabiei that infects animals and humans.

These ticks penetrate the skin of healthy cats and kittens, parasitize there, which causes many different symptoms. People often become infected with this type of scabies from sick cats.

Important!
Cats of all ages can be affected, however sarcoptosis is more common in young animals. Cats living in close contact with sick dogs can also become infected. Ticks prefer to live on the surface of the skin and are not able to exist for a very long time without their master.

The main sign of the disease of cats and cats is intense itching, which does not respond to symptomatic treatment, while the cat is very itchy and nibbles its coat.

Also on the surface of the skin often develop papules (small red bumps) located on the edges of the ears, elbows, hocks (ankles), chest and abdomen. These injuries may be common in chronically ill cats.

Other symptoms may include focal hair loss and creping ulcers. Symptoms are thought to be the result of a severe allergic reaction to the tick.

Just a few types of these parasites can cause severe generalized itching, which sometimes persists after therapy due to the allergic component of this disease.

Attention!
The incubation period (the time until the clinical symptoms become obvious) can be delayed up to 3 weeks after the first hit of the tick on the coat of the animal.

If ticks are not treated in cats, chronic skin lesions develop in the vast majority of cases, including increased pigmentation of the skin, its thickening and wrinkling, and ulceration is also common.

Secondary bacterial infections are common due to self-injury in combing itchy areas.

Mite ticks cannot multiply on human skin, therefore, clinical lesions in humans regress spontaneously 12-14 days after the appearance of mild itching and red rash.

Diagnosis of sarcoptosis in cats

The diagnosis of feline sarcoptosis is based on three elements:

  • Suggestive clinical signs. The rapid onset of itching and the rapid progression of lesions suggest scabies.
  • Microscopic examination of skin scraping.Ticks are occasionally encountered with microscopic examination of skin scraping, but failure to find a tick does not exclude the diagnosis of sarcoptosis.
  • The response to treatment (diagnosis of therapeutic effect). Treatment of scabies with specific agents improves the condition of the animal.

Treatment for scabies mite in cats

Treatment should be carried out throughout the entire life cycle of the tick, which is 3 weeks. All animals within the apartment should be preventively examined to reduce the likelihood of reinfestation and re-infection. There are several ways to treat scabies.

  1. Weekly bathing of animals with the use of antiparasitic agents, most often - lime sulfur.
  2. An alternative treatment consists of administering antiparasitic drugs, for example, ivermectin once every 2 weeks for 3 treatments. Some breeds of cats, in particular Siamese, are extremely sensitive to the adverse effects of ivermectin.
  3. Revolution (Stronghold, Selamectin) drops or ointment - a topical remedy that is used monthly for flea control and heartworm prevention, is also a safe and effective treatment for sarcoptosis.
  4. Antibiotic treatment may be necessary if the cat received a secondary bacterial infection.
  5. Regular cleaning, vacuuming and washing are usually sufficient to rid a person of ticks.

External remedies such as drops at the withers are not effective for treating scabies in cats.

Home care

Most often, treatment of ticks in cats and cats takes place at home. Owners will have to bathe the animals weekly and use sulfur-based antiparasitic drugs prescribed by the veterinarian.

Such preparations for immersing animals are safe, but can lead to damage to some household items, in particular acrylic bathtubs and porcelain in the form of yellow spots due to their sulfur content. In addition, this element also gives a strong smell of “rotten eggs”. Gloves should be used without fail.

Advice!
Ideally, bathing should be applied outdoors and the animal should not be allowed to return to the house until it is completely dry.

This precaution will prevent yellowing of furniture and carpets. In order to avoid irritation of the conjunctival mucosa, drops in the eyes can be prescribed.

Ticks do not survive long in the environment. Regular cleaning, vacuuming and washing the laundry, as a rule, is enough to prevent further infection of this and other animals kept in the apartment.

It should be remembered that a cat tick can be transmitted to humans, so care must be taken when handling an infected cat.

Preventative care

Prevention of sarcoptosis in cats and cats is to prevent contact of the pet with the infected. Ticks do not survive long in the environment, but direct contact will necessarily become a source of the disease. All animals in the apartment must be regularly examined by a veterinarian if a cat was sick in the house.

Tick ​​Biology Basics

Sarcoptosis is a contagious parasitic skin disease in cats that causes Sarcoptes scabei. The parasite affects not only cats, but also humans, causing temporary symptoms of an itchy papular rash.

In humans, the symptoms develop within 24 hours after infection and disappear on their own in a period of 12 to 14 days, since the tick cannot reproduce on human skin.

Sarcoptes spend their entire life cycle on the host’s body, which takes from 17 to 21 days. Males live on the surface of the skin, while females burrow into the surface layers of the epidermis to lay eggs, which causes itching. Ticks are unable to survive without a host for longer than 48 hours under most conditions.

The incubation period of scabies ranges from 6 to 30 days, depending on the previous invasion.

If a cat has been exposed to a tick earlier, clinical signs are faster and more severe due to existing hypersensitivity. Very few ticks can cause serious clinical signs. This is most likely due to the development of increased sensitivity of the host.

Tick ​​feces are the most likely source of antigenic stimulation. Sarcoptosis cannot be ruled out due to the lack of clinical signs in other animals or people living in the same house due to the limited number of parasites present in the most affected animals.

Clinical Details

The primary lesion is manifested in the form of itchy erythematous papules, which are presented in the form of red tubercles of the skin.

Important!
Later, these papules turn into thick yellow-gray crusts, most of them on the ears. Sarcoptosis is prone to areas with sparse coat.

Lesions are typically present along the edges of the auricles, elbows, hocks, abdominal and rib cage. Secondary baldness, thickening of the skin (lichenization) and hyperpigmentation can occur as a result of self-injury. As already noted, excoriation and erythema often appear.

In addition to the classic presentation of scabies, there are two more rare syndromes:

  • The first of these is called “scabies incognito” and is seen in well-groomed cats. No skin lesions, but intense itching is present.
  • The second syndrome is called "Norwegian scabies" and often develops in young kittens, old animals or with weakened immunity. In these cases, itching manifests itself in the form of a mild degree or does not exist at all, however, severe crusts often develop against the background of a large number of ticks. This form of the disease is probably caused by the lack of a hypersensitivity reaction that inhibits the development of parasite populations.

How are veterinarians diagnosed

The diagnosis of sarcoptosis is made on the basis of an anamnesis, clinical signs compatible with the disease, microscopic studies of skin scraping and reaction to therapy. The response to therapy is sometimes used as a diagnostic test, as sarcoptotic ticks can be very difficult to find on skin scrapings.

The veterinarian will recommend the following:

  1. Superficial skin scrapings. Most skin scrapings are positive for sarcoptic mite in less than 50 percent of cases. Scraping should be superficial and cover the entire area of ​​skin lesion. The best areas for scraping are the auricles and elbows. Scrapes are never taken from areas of skin that have been combed by an animal. Areas with thick crusts are also suitable for obtaining diagnostic material.
  2. Fecal flotation. Ticks can be found during a microscopic examination of feces for the presence of parasites, since they are often swallowed by a cat while biting the wool.
  3. Digestion of hair, peels and flakes in potassium hydroxide. Soft organic elements dissolve in potassium hydroxide and after centrifugation in the mass you can find parts of the body of ticks and their eggs.
  4. Skin biopsy. Ticks can be seen from time to time by microscopic examination of skin biopsy samples, but this method is not particularly sensitive. Papules are the best indications for a biopsy.

What drugs are used

All emergencies with severe itching and typical clinical symptoms should be diagnosed and treated promptly. Cats with non-seasonal pruritus that are difficult to treat with cortisone-like drugs (glucocorticoids) should be considered sarcoptic in order to rule out this possibility.

Attention!
All animals in the household should be treated.Various therapies can be used to eliminate sarcoptotic tick infestation. They include the following drugs.

Lime sulfur (LymDip) 2-4% is applied as an aqueous solution once every 5-7 days, for a total of 6 treatments.

Sulfur is the drug of choice for kittens under 4 weeks of age and animals that cannot be treated with ivermectin. The coat must be trimmed to ensure good contact of the medicine with the skin.

Keratolytic or antibacterial shampoos may be required before treatment with sulfur preparations. In long-haired cats, six must be trimmed before bathing before treatment.

Advice!
Cleansing with keratolytic (against dandruff) or antibacterial shampoos will help to better penetrate sulfur into the skin, and the process will be protected from the development of second microflora.

Bathing should be used carefully, taking care not to miss any area of ​​the body.

It should be noted that bathing in sulfur can dry the skin excessively, which will cause irritation in some cats.

In order to reduce this undesirable effect, ordinary baby oil can be added to the mixture. Animals with white hair within a few days after treatment will become radically yellow due to the presence of sulfur.

Drugs of this series can irritate the eyes, so cats are often prescribed appropriate drops.

Ivermectin (Ivomec) is a medicine that is given twice at two-week intervals or four times at weekly intervals. In most cats, itching is reduced, at least precisely in 50% of sick animals within 7-10 days after the first treatment. But he is completely gone after four weeks.

Milbemycin (Interceptor) once a week for 4 weeks is also an effective treatment for sarcoptosis. Milbemycin should be used with caution in ivermectin in sensitive breeds because of the potential for similar side effects.

Amitraz (Mitaban) is also an effective treatment for sarcoptosis, but the drug is not approved for this. For the treatment of sarcoptosis with amitraz, the drug is used in the same concentration that is used to treat demodicosis in the form of 3-4 baths every two weeks.

Amitraz should not be used in dwarf cat breeds due to the increased risk of toxicity in them. Sedation is the most common side effect of this drug, so it is also not prescribed in old or sick animals, as well as those suffering from diabetes, since the drug can cause temporarily high blood sugar.

Selamectin (REVOLUTION) is an avermectin type of drug that can also be used as a treatment for sarcoptosis.

Selamectin is rapidly and completely absorbed through the skin and is safe for use in ivermectin-sensitive breeds. One procedure is enough to destroy the invasion. However, in severe cases, re-treatment may be necessary.

Important!
When treating ticks in cats at home, the litter in cats and cats should be changed daily or washed at high temperature. A vacuum cleaner with a disposable bag is recommended to eliminate possible re-infection.

Secondary bacterial skin infections are common and may require antibiotic therapy. Superficial bacterial infections are often treated with antibiotics for 4 weeks, while deep infections may require treatment for 8-10 weeks.

Symptoms of scabies mite in cats and its treatment

Pet owners often come across a parasite such as scabies. In cats, a dangerous insect appears much more often than in dogs, and the consequences of interacting with an animal are fatal.

To avoid the inevitable death of a pet, it is necessary to provide him with the correct treatment, as well as follow simple preventive measures.

What is the danger of infection?

The official name for the disease that is caused by the activity of the scabies tick in cats is sarcoptosis. It develops due to the appearance on the skin of an infectious parasitic creature called Sarcoptes scabiei.

The parasite penetrates deep into the skin of healthy animals and causes a paralytic state, which is accompanied by many symptoms. Unlike other types of ticks that do not pose a threat to humans, sarcoptosis can also attack humans. Often this happens when a person interacts with a sick pet.

Attention!
As for animals, they undergo a similar disease at almost any age, but, according to statistics, most infections occur in young individuals.

The cause of sarcoptosis may be the close contact of cats with sick dogs, which are also vulnerable to this pathology. A dangerous creature prefers to dwell on the surface layers of a pet's skin, while it cannot live long without its master.

The first and perhaps the key sign of pathology is severe itching, which does not disappear when using systematic methods of treatment. The animal begins to scratch intensively and nibble its coat. In addition, small red cones appear on its surface, which massively accumulate in the following areas:

  • The edges of the ears.
  • Elbows.
  • Ankles.
  • Chest.
  • Stomach.

Similar defects are becoming commonplace in cats that suffer from chronic sarcoptosis. Among the remaining symptoms, focal hair loss and creping ulcers are distinguished.

Such problems are associated with a severe allergic reaction of the cat's body to parasites. At the same time, certain types of ticks can cause severe generalized itching, which continues to bother the cat even after undergoing therapy.

Unfortunately, at the initial stage of the development of pathology, there is no expressed symptomatology, while the incubation period can last up to 3 weeks from the moment the tick appears on the coat of the pet.

If treatment is not started, chronic lesions will progress, causing pigmentation of the skin, its thickening, as well as various purulent manifestations.

Suffering from severe scabies, the pet begins to comb the affected area, which only exacerbates the problem and causes the development of secondary bacterial infections.

Diagnosis and diagnosis

To determine the presence of a tick in cats, it is necessary to evaluate the anamnesis, familiarize yourself with the clinical picture and carefully examine skin scraping.

In addition, you should evaluate the reaction of the pet to the therapeutic course. Often the response to therapy is an additional diagnostic test, since a sarcoptotic tick is not so easy to find on a scraping of the skin.

Advice!
When performing an examination in a veterinary clinic, it is necessary to take superficial skin scrapings. According to statistics, a significant part of scrapings is positive for the parasite in 50% of cases.

Scraping should be superficial and affect the entire affected area. To get the most accurate clinical picture, you should examine the edges of the ears and elbows.

You can not take scrapings from areas that have been combed by animals. Areas with thick skin crust are also suitable for diagnosis.

In addition, the veterinarian can take fecal flotations for analysis, which often contain parasites consumed by a cat when biting its coat.

Also, a microscopic examination of skin biopsy samples is used to make a diagnosis, although this method is not characterized by special sensitivity. The best option for analysis is papules.

To determine the presence of a tick on the coat of a cat, several possible diagnostic options should be considered.In this case, the diagnosis should be based on several elements:

  1. External examination of the pet and the allocation of basic suggestive clinical signs. If the pet suffers from severe itching, and the lesions begin to progress strongly, it is possible that the activity of the tick led to this.
  2. Microscopic examination of skin scraping. The method of microscopic examination of scraping is the least effective, therefore it is rarely used for the diagnosis of sarcoptosis.
  3. The answer to the treatment. If you use effective methods of treatment, the condition of the animal will improve significantly.

Symptoms of infection

Primary lesions appear in the form of itchy papules in the form of red skin tubercles. Over time, these papules become yellow-gray thick crusts.

A significant part of such defects is localized in the region of the ears. In addition, sarcoptosis intensively affects areas with a rare coat.

Important!
The effects of tick activity are present along the edges of the auricles, elbows, abdominal and chest. Secondary signs in the form of alopecia and thickening of the skin occur with self-injury due to the desire to scratch the itchy area.

In addition to the classic form of scabies, there are rare varieties accompanied by specific symptoms. The first is called “scabies incognito” and appears in cats, which provide abundant care.

The second variety is called "Norwegian scabies" and appears in young individuals or old animals. In addition, pets with an underdeveloped immune system are at risk.

In this case, itching is minor or absent. Nevertheless, as the disease progresses, thick crusts appear on the skin, which do not pass with traditional therapy. This form of the disease is explained by the lack of hypersensitivity and stops the development of the scabies mite population in cats.

Home treatment

For effective fight against ticks, it is necessary to understand that treatment should be comprehensive and take at least three weeks.

At the same time, each pet that is in the apartment must undergo examination and appropriate prophylaxis. It is necessary to reduce the likelihood of reinfestation and re-infection. As for the treatment methods, they include such methods:

  • Daily bathing of a pet with the use of antiparasitic drugs, usually calcareous sulfur.
  • Alternative treatment. It implies the use of Ivermermectin once every 14 days for three procedures. Some species of cats, usually Siamese, react negatively to active substances from Ivermectin, so often such treatment does not give good results.
  • Revolution The medicine is supplied in the form of drops or ointments and is an effective tool for monthly pet care in order to prevent heartworm, fleas and other parasites. In addition, the drug can fight the scabies mite, eliminating the effects of chronic sarcoptosis.
  • Antibiotic treatment. Such drugs are effective in the development of secondary bacterial infection and aggravation of symptoms.
  • Regular cleaning, which involves cleaning with a vacuum cleaner and washing clothes. This action is preventive, as it helps to prevent the appearance of scabies mites in the house, protecting residents and pets from these annoying parasites.

As for external preparations, including drops at the withers, they are practically useless, since they do not give visible results. Therefore, when choosing treatment methods, it is better to give preference to more effective options.

In most cases, the fight against scabies mites is carried out at home.In this case, the pet owner is forced to wash the cat weekly, applying antiparasitic preparations containing sulfur to the coat.

However, self-medication without prior consultation with a trained specialist from a veterinary clinic is not recommended. This approach can only aggravate the condition of the pet and lead to fatal consequences.

As for sulfur-containing products, they are completely harmless, although they pose a threat to household items and can damage acrylic surfaces and porcelain.

Similar objects quickly turn yellow and begin to deform. In addition, sulfur is a mineral element with a specific odor that resembles the smell of “rotten eggs”. Therefore, when performing processing operations, gloves must be worn.

Attention!
It is better to conduct bathing procedures in the open air, not allowing the animal to return to the room until it finally dries out. Such a measure will protect furniture and carpet surfaces from staining in yellow. And to avoid damage to the conjunctival mucosa, you may need to use eye drops.

It is known that ticks are not able to live long in the environment. Therefore, regular cleaning of textiles and soft surfaces, vacuuming and washing clothes - this is the best prevention of such a dangerous problem.

At the same time, one should not forget that the scabies mite is a threat to people, therefore, when caring for an infected cat, you need to remember about personal safety.

As for the prevention of sarcoptosis, it means preventing the interaction of healthy pets with infected ones.

And although the life span of the parasite in the environment is very short, in contact with another favorable creature it will certainly lead to the development of the disease. Faced with sarcoptosis, it is necessary to carefully examine all pets in a veterinary clinic.

The best drugs for treatment

There are many factors that explain the appearance of the scabies mite in a cat. How to treat such a disease is a difficult question, since the answer depends on a mass of factors and features.

Advice!
With home treatment, it is important to take appropriate measures in time and not to postpone the examination in the clinic for the distant future. Cats with non-seasonal pruritus that are poorly treated should use cortisone-like drugs that inhibit the reproduction of parasites and destroy their eggs.

To eliminate sarcoptotic tick infestation, calcareous sulfur can be used. It is a highly effective aqueous solution that can be used for 5-7 days in total - for 6 procedures.

Sulfur is a gentle composition, so it can be given to young individuals under 4 weeks of age, and pets that are not amenable to treatment with Ivermectin.

When using calcareous sulfur, it is necessary to carefully cut the hair, which is necessary to ensure good contact of the product with the skin.

Using keratolytic or antibacterial shampoos, you also need to trim the hair. If the pet belongs to long-haired breeds, the coat must be treated before the procedure.

Cleaning with keratolytic and antibacterial shampoos allows sulfur to fully penetrate the skin, and also protects the process from the development of second microflora.

Having dealt with the causes of the appearance of scabies in cats, the symptoms of the disease and treatment methods, it remains to correctly use the information received and begin treatment.

In no case should it be postponed for the distant future, as this can lead to serious damage to the coat of the pet and make its existence unbearable.

Treatment methods for scabies mite in cats

Cats as pets are as popular today as dogs. They are more independent, but they need care.After all, cats, like dogs, are prone to many diseases.

Very often, cats suffer from scabies, which is caused by a small parasite. This article will talk about how to treat scabies mites in cats.

Signs and symptoms of scabies mite

The reason for the development of scabies in a pet is the presence of a parasite - an itch mite. This is a small arthropod that, when it enters an animal, penetrates the inner layer of the skin. Most often, the tick parasitizes on the head and in the neck.

Important!
As a result of the presence of itching under the skin, damage to the subcutis (the inner layer of the epidermis) occurs. The parasite feeds on lymph and subcutis particles. Under the skin, the female actively lays eggs, which leads to even greater infection.

The first signs of infection with this parasite are the appearance of red tubercles on the skin surface. They are called erythematous papules. These tubercles are very itchy.

Over time, the following symptoms of malaise develop:

  1. papules transform into thick crusts that have a gray-yellow color. The changes are most noticeable in the area of ​​the ears, where there is a rare hairline;
  2. after some time, the affected areas of the skin appear on the chest, abdomen and elbows;
  3. lichenization or secondary thickening of the skin;
  4. secondary baldness;
  5. the animal combs the damaged areas of the skin to blood;
  6. the development of secondary infections introduced through wounds;
  7. hyperpegmintation. It arises due to the fact that the animal itself is injured in places where parasites accumulate.

These are the classic signs of parasitism on a scabies tick cat. Sometimes the symptoms have a less pronounced clinical picture.

Attention!
For example, “scabies incognito”, which is characterized by the absence of skin lesions and itching. It develops in well-groomed pets.

There is also a syndrome called "Norwegian scabies." Kittens, old cats and those individuals who have weak immunity suffer from it. Itching in this case is either mild or absent.

But at the same time, the formation of heavy crusts, which are the result of a large parasite dominance, is characteristic. It is believed that the development of this form of the disease occurs due to the absence of a hypersensitivity reaction, which under normal conditions inhibits the number of insects.

Features and types of scabies

The itch mite, depending on the species, in a cat can provoke the development of various forms of the disease. This arthropod is the causative agent of such an ailment as itchy scabies and other skin diseases that are possible in warm-blooded mammals. This parasite can be transmitted from animal to human.

The degree of danger and contagiousness of the disease directly depends on the type of itching that provoked it. To date, the following types of diseases are distinguished:

  • sarcoptosis. The ailment is caused by Sarcoptes scabiei. Cats rarely develop. It is transmitted to dogs and humans. The first signs of the disease are baldness in areas where short hair grows;
  • scabies. It is provoked by Notoedres cati, which reproduces very quickly. Signs of scabies are a strong trial. The animal combs itself to the blood;
  • notoedrosis or itchy scabies. This disease develops due to parasitism of subcutaneous ticks of the species Notoedres cati;
  • demodicosis. The causative agent is the tick Demodex folliculorum or Demodex brevis. It is an infectious form of scabies. It is not transmitted to humans. It is believed that only dogs are sick;
  • ear scabies or otodectosis. The disease causes Otodectes cynotis. Ticks accumulate exclusively in ear campaigns. Symptoms characteristic of scabies develop only in the ear area.

This is not a complete list of parasites that can cause scabies in pets, including cats. Many of the arthropods are constantly on the body of the animal, without causing any health problems.Improper nutrition, decreased immunity, or severe stress can provoke the development of the disease.

Is the disease transmitted to humans?

As noted above, some types of scabies mites found in cats are transmitted to humans. The most contagious type of disease is sarcoptosis.

In humans, when infected with the causative agent of this disease, temporary symptoms develop in the form of a papular and itchy rash. Such a rash forms a day after infection.

Advice!
Independently, without any treatment, it takes place for two weeks. This is due to the fact that the parasite has approximately the same lifespan. Self-healing is due to the fact that arthropods of this species are not able to reproduce on human skin.

Notothedrosis is also dangerous for humans. This is a contact disease that is easily transmitted to people from infected animals. The itch lives on a person’s legs, arms, stomach and chest. The disease can be easily cured when the victim contacts a dermatologist.

Diagnosis of the disease

If the cat shows the first signs of parasites, you should contact your veterinarian for help. The doctor makes a diagnosis based on:

  1. clinical signs. They allow you to narrow the diagnosis to several diseases and prescribe additional examinations;
  2. microscopic studies.

The specialist, to determine which scabies the animal is sick with, prescribes the following studies:

  • superficial scrapings of the skin. Itching can be seen by microscopic examination of a fragment of the skin of a cat. Scraping for information should cover the entire area of ​​the affected area of ​​the skin. Therefore, skin for scraping is taken on the ears and elbows;
  • fecal flotation. The presence of scabies mites in an animal can be confirmed by a microscopic analysis of feces. A cat is able to swallow an insect while biting an itchy patch of skin;
  • analysis of soft elements using potassium hydroxide. When this substance is added to the wool, skin flakes, and peels, followed by centrifugation, fragments of arthropod bodies can be determined. This method makes it possible to identify eggs of parasites, which the female has already managed to lay in the skin;
  • skin biopsy. It is considered not the most informative method, as it has a low sensitivity. Therefore, it is better to use not a skin fragment, but a papule.

Disease treatment

After the veterinarian has done all the necessary research, he is determined with a diagnosis and prescribes treatment. What a scabies tick in cats, this will be the treatment. Also, the degree of damage to the animal by parasites affects the treatment regimen.

Treatment of scabies provoked by microscopic arthropods should be carried out throughout the life of the itch. Therefore, the duration of treatment is about three weeks.

Today, there are several ways to treat scabies in cats:

  1. bathing animals using special antiparasitic agents. The most commonly used is lime sulfur. Such bathing should be performed every week;
  2. the introduction of antiparasitic drugs inside. This is an alternative treatment. The drug (e.g., ivermectin) should be administered once every 14 days for three procedures. It is worth noting that some cat breeds (for example, Siamese cats) have an increased sensitivity to ivermectin. Therefore, it is not recommended to use such a medical treatment option in this case;
  3. applying ointments and drops to the affected skin. Such drugs act not only as medicines, but also as effective prevention. They are a safe treatment for all breeds of animals.

In some cases, when a concomitant bacterial infection has developed, the veterinarian prescribes antibiotics.

Prevention

To protect the cat from scabies, it is necessary to prevent the development of this ailment. It consists in the following actions:

  • periodic examinations at the veterinarian;
  • regular cleaning of home premises;
  • the use of external protective equipment (for example, drops) when walking in the fresh air;
  • Avoid contact with infected animals.

The scabies tick for cats is a dangerous parasite that can cause serious disorders and associated diseases. Therefore, the cat needs to be looked after and, at the slightest suspicion, seek the advice of a specialist.

How to treat scabies in cats and understand what it is

Parasitic infections in animals are quite common, but there are exceptions. For example, scabies mites are often found in dogs, but photos of the symptoms and first signs of scabies in cats are much more difficult to find.

At the same time, if a pet has acquired these types of parasites, then the disease is difficult for both the animal and its owners, who are trying to find a suitable cure for parasites.

At the same time, cats not only themselves suffer from pests, but also are their carriers. They can infect their brothers, with whom they walk in the yard, as well as their owners.

This is very dangerous, because with improper treatment or with its complete absence, serious skin or systemic diseases can develop.

The essence of the disease

Scabies is a parasitic infection that affects both humans and animals. It develops due to contact with the skin of the smallest scabies mites. They settle in the deep layers of the epidermis, gnawing there a kind of “tunnels”.

Due to the fact that such a pest actively eats and multiplies, the sick animal experiences severe itching, which is especially pronounced in the dark.

Important!
Scabies mites are small in size: from 0.14 to 0.45 mm. His body is round in shape, with a gray color. The tips of the paws of the insect are pointed so that it can easily build a dwelling in the deep layers of the epidermis.

The life cycle and survival conditions of different types of ticks varies from 2 to 3 weeks. During this time, the female lays several dozen eggs. Adults feed on blood, particles of skin and sulfur from the ears of cats.

It is believed that the itchy scabies that cats suffer from is not dangerous to humans. However, in nature there are several types of scabies mites, and some of them, indeed, are able to live and breed only on cats and other pets, while others do not mind moving to their owners. This is of particular concern, especially if the family has small children.

The complexity of treating this infection in cats is that it is very difficult to detect the pathogen on its own. This is due to its size and the fact that individuals prefer not to go to the surface of the skin, spending most of their life in its deeper layers.

Nevertheless, the timely detection of symptoms of scabies in a cat will help to avoid complications and infection of households.

Key features

Tick ​​infection usually occurs from one animal to another in the process of their "communication" or through the hands of the owner. Within a few days, the loving owner can compare the symptoms and the first signs of scabies in a cat from a photo and changes in its behavior. Depending on the severity of the duration of the disease, its various manifestations may be noted.

Attention!
The main one is severe itching, due to which at the initial stages the animal simply scratches more often than usual, but eventually begins to tear its skin integuments with claws and teeth.

Itching begins with the head and neck, where pests inhabit and lay their eggs in the first place. If untreated, they extend to the stomach, chest, and other parts of the cat's body. This is the first sign of illness that needs attention.

Discomfort on the skin can become the basis for the development of complications and additional symptoms, among which the following pathologies:

  1. Hair loss, the appearance of bald spots.
  2. The appearance on the pet's body of wounds and sores.This symptom is not only unpleasant, but also dangerous, since it threatens with the addition of secondary infections: fungi, bacterial or viral skin diseases.
  3. Loss of appetite, in which the animal can only drink water for several days.
  4. Lethargy or aggression in behavior, which is a protective reaction of a sick body to prolonged stress.

Such signs of the disease cannot be overlooked, however, they are inherent in both scabies and other parasitic infections from which the cat may suffer.

In this regard, to identify the true cause of anxiety and discomfort of a pet, you should consult a veterinarian. Only a doctor can draw the appropriate conclusions, which are based on the results of the examination.

Advice!
Diagnosis does not carry any pain: scraping is taken from the surface of the skin of the animal, which allows you to identify the causative agents of the disease.

After diagnosis, the doctor will be able to prescribe a comprehensive treatment for the cat. The basis of therapy is external agents, which must be used several times a day to destroy the entire population of pests, including larvae and eggs.

However, ointments and sprays are not enough, since an important prerequisite for scabies is a decrease in immunity. In this regard, it is important to give the animal vitamin complexes and immunomodulators. When the doctor's instructions are followed, the symptoms of scabies and domestic cats disappear after 5-7 days.

Finally

Symptoms of scabies of the ears are not common, which, of course, pleases their owners. Nevertheless, if the pet is not lucky, and he became a victim of this disease, it is necessary to take the necessary measures to cure him.

The key to a fun and healthy life of a furry pet is to strengthen immunity and the prevention of parasitic infections, which is carried out using modern and safe drugs.

In modern medicine, both imported and domestic means are used to protect the cat from uninvited guests.

It is advisable to use the medicines prescribed by the doctor in order not to “heal” the animal, based only on its ideas about the diagnosis.

At the same time, it is better to refuse unconventional means, since they are ineffective, and their long-term use will only aggravate the situation.

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