How to tell if a cat has a hypodermic mite

Demodechosis begins with the head (firstly the ears, muzzle and neck of the animal are affected) With scabies the hair may fall out in wisps In the place of redness there may be wounds or small pustules To see the disturbed pigmentation on the body of the cat, you need to move the hair slightly If the symptoms of scabies appeared on the paws of the cat, then this is a sign of the generalized form of demodechosis

How to remove subcutaneous mites in a cat

Among the diseases that cats suffer from, a large proportion are those caused by various parasites. One of the most common diseases in this group is demodechosis. The causative agent of demodex in cats is the subcutaneous mite. This parasite can cause a lot of trouble and problems to your whiskered pet. About what it is, how the disease and how to remove this parasite, the team "Murkosha" tells in this article.

The causative agent of the disease is a subcutaneous mite – demodex. Actually, there are two species of subcutaneous mite (even three, but the third is currently poorly studied and not described): Demodex cati and Demodex gatoi. The first species (Demodex cati) always lives on the cat's body, in the hair follicles (places where hairs grow from), and usually does not cause any discomfort. This species is not contagious at all. But in some cases, such as illness, stress, reduced kitty immunity, this subcutaneous mite on the body multiplies excessively, respectively, causing a tooth and other inconveniences.

The second species (Demodex gatoi) refers to infectious parasites. This hypodermic mite is transmitted from a sick cat to another (but it is not dangerous to humans). It lives and multiplies in the stratum corneum (the superficial layer of skin consisting of keratinized cells). If this parasite gets on the cat's body, it can lead to illness. Although the body of healthy animals with a strong immune system in most cases can cope with a subcutaneous mite on its own. Demodechosis occurs if the immune system is weakened for some reason.

Risk groups

Theoretically, all cats that have been in contact with sick animals can become infected with hypodermic mites. But the following groups are most often susceptible to demodicosis:

– The offspring of cats with demodechosis;
– Animals with weakened immunity and autoimmune diseases;
– cats in the postoperative period;
– animals in the recovery period after infectious diseases;
– Kittens and adult cats with rickets;
– Animals emaciated after starvation;
– Pets which have been under severe stress;
– Certain breeds: Siamese, Burmese, Devon Rex.

Is it possible to catch it from a human?

The Demodex mite affects not only animals, but also people. However, these are completely different species of the parasite. As has already become clear, there is no danger of infection from an animal. But human-to-human transmission is possible.

According to statistics, 90-92% of the population are carriers of subcutaneous mites. But demodechosis manifests its symptoms only in certain cases: weakened immunity, frequent stress, pregnancy, metabolic disorders.

An exacerbation of the disease is often observed in the autumn season. The reason for this is the hot summer days, when the skin often sweats and becomes more oily. In addition, the summer heat, or rather ultraviolet light, can significantly weaken the immune system.

What does a hypodermic mite look like in cats

Demodex means "worm" in Latin, and for a reason. Demodex does externally resemble a microscopic worm, measuring 0,2-0,5 mm (with a grain of wheat). The body color of the parasite has a light gray shade. Moving on the skin, it can cause tickling.

An adult parasite is an adult, often with an elongated body. It has eight legs and a small head (sometimes the head is not visible at all). The body is completely covered by a sheath of chitin. When the mite bites a cat, it quickly grows in size, filling the abdomen with blood.

Causes of the disease

The hypodermic mite can live in a cat's body for many years. The natural defense system restrains its reproduction, the disease does not manifest itself in any way. The mite feeds on dead cells of the epithelial layer. When the cat's body is weakened, the immune system is reduced, microorganisms begin to multiply rapidly, there is demodechosis. Causes of this phenomenon can be:

Stress can also weaken the animal's natural defense system.

Ways of catching a hypodermic mite

• transmission of the parasite through direct contact with a carrier;
• indirect contact with the belongings of the infected individual, the skin mite can get on the cat from the bedding of the animal that has these diseases, or from the brush for combing the hair. A person can get these germs on their clothes if they have had contact with an infected animal.
• Intrauterine infection.

Owners of several cats, breeders need to treat all pets at the same time when the disease is detected.

Symptoms of skin mites in cats

Symptoms of hypodermic mite in a cat, of course, it is best to try to discern in the early stages. The sooner the owner sees the signs of the beginning of the disease, the sooner he will ask for help, the more effective and easier will be the treatment. Although, BioVet veterinarians certainly practice treatment of demodex in cats in its most advanced stages.

So, you should contact your veterinarian as soon as possible if you notice your cat exhibiting similar symptoms:

• The appearance of rashes, pustules, acne on the skin;
• itching;
• The cat is constantly itching;
• The condition of the hair in general deteriorates;
• The skin becomes red and pigmentation appears;
• hair loss around the eyes;
• The skin begins to peel locally;
• hair loss is also localized.
• Sometimes there may be a loss of appetite, lethargy, etc.

Signs of subcutaneous mite in a cat are quite specific, so you will not have much trouble to discern the beginnings of the disease in your pet.

Treatment of skin mites in cats

Treatment of subcutaneous mite in cats is prescribed after taking all the necessary tests, mainly a special scrape that determines the type of mite. The veterinarian usually prescribes sick cats vitamins, drugs aimed at strengthening and raising immunity, injections, drops. The cat will need to be washed with a special antibacterial shampoo, as well as ointments to be applied to the affected areas, which will also prescribe a doctor. Proper nutrition will be an additional stimulant to your cat's recovery.

Prices for appointments at our clinics

All of our Vet Clinics:

Care of a sick animal

The most unpleasant thing about caring for a cat is the fear of getting infected. Rumors that feline demodex is dangerous to humans are a myth. These diseases have different pathogens, so when treating a cat, you need to show all your love. The animal should feel cared for and not tortured, because all kinds of unpleasant procedures (injections, treatment of wounds, etc.) can cause the animal pain.

There have been many cases where cats with scabies were so tortured that they lost the will to live, and this should not be allowed. Your job is not only to remove the sores and treat the wounds, but also to raise the pet's immunity. If the cat feels comfortable, it will have the strength to heal.

It is important not to forget all the procedures prescribed by the veterinarian. Make a memo to yourself and hang it up in a prominent place. If you cannot stay at home for weeks or months and actively treat the cat, buy all the necessary medicine, syringes, cotton swabs, etc. e. Ask someone to help you. Some veterinary clinics have inpatient facilities for sick animals. It is not very expensive, but in such a "sanatorium" the cat will be professionally cared for.

And, of course, in the future you need to prevent outbreaks of tick-parasite activity. Prevention should be done even when the animal is already sick.

Video: about how to properly inject the withers

Preventive measures

The prevention of demodex lies in several basic measures:

• regular and timely vaccination against fleas and ticks (special preventive drops and collars are sold in every pet store);
• Choosing the right diet (you need a balanced diet full of protein);
• Providing the cat with all necessary vitamins and minerals (a veterinarian may prescribe additional vitamins);
• Providing a comfortable and safe environment for the cat (sanitary conditions, keeping the animal from stress, etc.).

A cat's immune system will not fail if it is kept according to the rules. It should eat well, live in a clean and dry house. A cat should not be left alone for long, because many animals suffer from loneliness, become depressed and end up getting sick. If your cat has company (another cat or dog), then the sick individual should be isolated. Let it be a separate room, and sometimes you can take healthy animals, for example, to relatives.

In order not to pass the tick to the pets with their own hands, you need to monitor your own hygiene as well. After each contact with a sick cat you have to wash your hands and treat them with an antibacterial solution. Clothes that you were wearing at the time of contact should be immediately sent to the wash. While your pet is sick, limit its access to the street. There have been cases where cats with the dreaded scabies "mask" on their muzzles have suffered at the hands of people. Cats that were taken to be very infectious were stoned and abused. So let your pet be cured first and get stronger.

Demodechosis (red scabies) is a rare disease caused by a subcutaneous mite. Individual, small areas of the body may be affected. If the scabies are left untreated, the affected areas merge into large gaps with wounds and pustules. Curing this infestation is difficult, but possible. To do this, veterinarians prescribe remedies for the sick skin, injections, vitamins, etc. It is important to follow all recommendations and prescriptions. The danger of this mite for people is exaggerated (a person can not get cat demodechosis).

Folk remedies

The cat should be bathed every day with a special therapeutic shampoo. After water procedures, the pet is treated with a decoction of herbs – sage, chamomile and celandine. One tablespoon each of these herbs is added to half a liter of boiling water, the mixture is boiled for 10 minutes.

It is also recommended to bathe the pet with tar soap and wipe it with calendula infusion. Once every two days, the affected areas of the pet are treated with kerosene. After this procedure, you can not bathe the cat for 48 hours.

Do not forget that some folk methods can cause harm to the animal, such as poisoning, which will further aggravate poor health. Before practicing them, you should ask your veterinarian for permission.

Preventing Infection

There is no vaccine against hypodermic mite in cats, so to prevent infection, it is important to follow certain preventive measures. They can minimize the risk of developing diseases from the hypodermic mite. The main preventive measures include:

• Exclusion of contact with wild or stray individuals, especially those who are suspected of ticks;
• Conducting a preventive examination of your pet;
• at the slightest suspicion – contact a specialist at the veterinary clinic, as it is much easier to get rid of parasites in the early stages of the disease;
• during the period of activity of ticks, use special products for protection against them (collars, sprays, drops);
• follow the cat's hygiene and sanitary norms;
• Observe the requirements of a balanced diet;

It is important to thoroughly disinfect the places where the cat sleeps, eats, goes to the litter box. Also treat all of its accessories, toys and utensils. Such measures are necessary to prevent reinfection after recovery.

What is a skin mite in cats

The hypodermic mite is a fairly common disease of pets. Moving through the coat of the animal, this parasite feeds on the skin fat and scabs of the animal, releasing toxic substances that irritate the skin. Residues that decompose after the mite's death also cause the cat to itch and burn. This phenomenon is called cat demodicosis.

There is an opinion that it can pass from cat to human, but this is not true. Today it is reliably established that the cat skin mites are very rarely transmitted to humans. The cat parasite is not dangerous to a healthy person.

What does the cat skin mite look like

It is almost impossible to see a skin mite on a cat's body with the naked eye. It is a microscopic organism of disgusting appearance, which cannot be called a mite in the general sense. In appearance, it is a worm that lives under the skin (for which it got its name) and in the ear canal of the animal.

Only specialists can accurately diagnose the type of hypodermic mite by conducting microbiological tests.

Types of hypodermic mites

The expression hypodermic mite refers to a range of parasites that live on the fur of cats. And each variety is characterized by its own specifics of animal disease. The most common are:

Demodex cati – it is the one that causes demodex. The parasite can live on the skin of a healthy animal for a long time without manifesting itself in any way, and begins to actively secrete toxic substances when the immune system is weakened. It is the most common but not the most dangerous parasite.

Cheyletiella lives mainly on the back of the animal and is transmitted by contact, causing cheyletiellosis, resulting in incessant itching, dandruff and alopecia in certain areas. The disease is sometimes confused with ringworm.

Causes and routes of infection

Skin mite in a cat can appear in many different ways. The disease can begin not only after contact with a sick animal. Even cats that never go outdoors can become infected with skin mites. Reasons for the appearance of parasites can be:

• A visit to the groomer,
• extreme stress,
• failure to follow vaccination rules,
• A cat's immune system is weakened and the cat is not cared for properly,
• The disease may be transmitted to kittens from a carrier mother,
• a mite that is not contagious to the owner who has touched the sick animal.

Sometimes when we take a kitten into the house, we may not suspect that he is already a hidden carrier of a hypodermic mite, some species of which may simply not manifest themselves for a long time.

Subcutaneous mites: species and what they affect

Affection by each of them causes specific symptoms in the animal.

Demodechosis

Most often Demodechosis (scabies) in cats is caused by the parasite Demodex, which is not a mite, it is more correct to use the name of glandular acne.

This microorganism normally lives in the hair follicles of humans and animals and feeds on skin fat, which, in general, has a positive effect on the health of the skin. But in certain metabolic disorders Demodex has a damaging effect on the skin. The negative impact of the parasite on the body is due to the result of its life activity – it begins to release harmful toxins and dies after 15-25 days than provokes the process of decomposition in the thickness of the skin. As a consequence – redness, irritation, itching and festering.

Demodex subcutaneous mite in cats is called conditionally pathogenic – failures in the body lead to skin disease

Demodex, or scabies, in humans, dogs and cats are caused by different types of microorganisms. In cats is Demodex gatoi and Demodex cati. In humans and dogs, it is Demodex folliculorum. However, cats that suffer from chronic pathologies or have suffered severe stress, as well as young individuals are susceptible to infection with "human" mites.

Video: Demodechosis in animals

Sarcoptosis

The symptoms are similar to demodechosis, but in comparison with it proceeds more aggressively: pustules appear, in the worst case – deep lesions of the epidermis, fistulas.

The chronic form has unpleasant consequences: the skin keratinizes in the affected areas, covered with pigmented spots and lumpy scars.

How is the infection

The tick is transmitted through saliva, wool, micro-injuries by contact between a sick animal and a healthy one.

Infection will occur only if the animal has a weakened immune system, impaired metabolism, i.e., it is at risk, which is:

Kittens can become infected from their mother. The mite can also be transmitted through common hygiene products with which the cat comes into contact.

With a strong immunity, the cat can become a carrier of the pathogen: it will not get sick, but it can transmit to other animals.

Preventive measures

Simple preventive measures will be enough to prevent the occurrence of demodex in your pet.

• Provide your pet with quality care;
• Take care to have a balanced diet;
• Include vitamins in the diet;
• wear a special anti-parasitic collar on the cat;
• Maintain a strong immune system;
• use anti-parasitic pills, drops or sprays regularly;
• Avoid contact with sick animals;
• Bathe your pet periodically with anti-parasitic shampoos;
• Try to protect the animal from stress;
• Vaccinate the animals promptly;
• Treat pets' bowls, bedding and litter box weekly with disinfectants.

The dangers of demodex in humans

Demodex is a disease that occurs in both cats and humans. And here the question arises whether a person can catch this disease from his pet. The correct answer is no, due to the fact that the causative agents of demodex are species-specific, that is, can live exclusively on one creature.

As noted above, the causative agents of demodex in cats are demodex parasites of the species D. Cati and D. Gatoi, which are not viable in human skin conditions.

Only subcutaneous mites of the Demodex brevis and Demodex folliculorum species can cause this dermatological disease in humans.

Such a rare disease as demodex can cause you and your pet a lot of problems and discomfort. Its causative agents are subcutaneous microscopic mites. In the skin of each animal there is a small amount of demodexes, which is the norm, but here their active multiplication does not bode well. Periods of aggravation of the disease are spring and winter, when sunlight is not enough to maintain immunity and skin tone at a high level.

It is important to remember that the cat's body is not capable of developing immunity to this disease, so the owner must be very careful to monitor the health of the animal and timely preventive measures and, if necessary, treatment.