Subcutaneous mite in cats. Subcutaneous mite in cats: types, prevention and treatment

As a rule, its symptoms arise as a result of weakening of the body. And how can an owner help his pet?

What is a subcutaneous mite in cats?

Demodicosis affects the weak body of a cat

Ticks feed subcutaneous fat and do not pose a danger to a healthy animal. But if the cat has a metabolic disorder or weakening immune system, these microorganisms begin to multiply uncontrollably, releasing more and more toxic substances (results of vital activity). As a result, a skin disease occurs, which is called demodicosis.

In the affected areas of the animal's body, the epithelium is destroyed. Then small tubercles ranging in size from 2 to 10 mm are formed. They subsequently begin to release a reddish liquid. After some time, the hair falls out and the skin begins to peel off.

Important! The disease mainly affects dogs; among cats, it affects young and weakened individuals.

Video: demodex mite under a microscope

Classification of the disease

The disease can occur in mild and severe forms

Demodicosis can occur in two forms, each of which has its own characteristics:

The generalized form is characterized by extensive damage to the skin. A sick animal develops purulent rashes that emanate bad smell. Generalized demodicosis affects the cat's shoulder blades, paws, neck and sides. After opening the rash, wounds remain on the skin and become crusty.
The localized form results in a red rash that appears on the cat's face. A crust resembling scales forms on the affected areas. In attempts to clean their fur, cats often damage these formations, resulting in wounds appearing on the skin. It is through them that infection can enter the animal’s body.

Causes of demodicosis in cats

Ticks can affect pets of any gender and age. However, many veterinarians, based on experience medical practice, argue that predisposition factors are heredity and breed characteristics. Thus, cats of the Siamese and Burmese breeds are more prone to the appearance of demodicosis than others. But keep in mind that pets of all other varieties are also not immune to such an unpleasant disease.

A number of unfavorable factors contribute to the development of the disease. The main ones include the following:

The subcutaneous mite infects cats that have had stressful situations, infections, antibiotic treatment.
Young individuals under 2 years of age with fragile immunity are also susceptible to the disease.
The disease is typical for animals with chronic pathologies.
The reasons for the development of demodicosis include poor nutrition. If the cat doesn't get nutrients in sufficient quantities, the defenses of her body are reduced.

The disease carries infectious nature and is transmitted from a sick individual to a healthy animal. People should not be afraid of infection from pets; in humans, demodicosis is caused by ticks of another species.

Symptoms of the problem

The first signs are redness on the skin and weakness of the pet

The clinical picture can manifest itself in two forms: scaly and pustular (pustular-papular). The names are due various types diseases. In some animals, the tick causes redness and damage to the skin in the form of small scaly folds, and in others - in the form of pustules and papules (vesicles with purulent contents). Sometimes there are also cases of mixed pathology.

The scaly form is expressed in the following characteristics:

redness of certain parts of the body, formation of scales;
hair loss around the eyes, on the neck, head, ears, torso, paws, depending on the form of the disease;
slight itching.

The pustular form has the following symptoms:

the appearance of bumps and crusts measuring approximately 5 mm on the skin;
the appearance of pustules due to the penetration of bacterial microflora into the affected areas;
very severe itching;
loss of animal body weight as a result of intoxication.

Important! Symptoms of demodicosis may be similar to other diseases, for example, ringworm or dermatitis. For a reliable diagnosis, it is necessary to conduct a study.

Diagnosis of the disease

Demodex mites can cause serious illness

When making a diagnosis, your veterinarian considers several factors. One of them is the presence of symptoms that are characteristic of demodicosis. But if you focus only on external signs, this disease can be confused with allergic reaction, ringworm or dermatitis. To clarify the diagnosis, laboratory tests are carried out.

A skin scraping is taken from the cat. The affected area is squeezed with fingers on both sides to remove mites from the follicle, then the skin is scraped off. During the procedure, a few drops of blood may appear. Scraping is taken at least 4–5 times, because mites can also be found on healthy cat. Next, the collected material is sent for sowing. That is, they are placed in a special nutrient medium in which, after a certain time, colonies of microorganisms grow.

Treatment of the disease

Drug effects

The first stage of treatment is aimed at destroying ticks. To do this, the cat's skin is treated with a 1% chlorophos solution or a 5% soap emulsion. Further therapeutic measures depend on the severity of the disease:

In case of minor damage, when there are 2-3 lesions on the animal’s body, the hair is first cut off, then treated with acetone using a cotton swab. After this, Acrodex aerosol or 14% iodine tincture is applied to the skin. After 3 days, treat with Vishnevsky ointment to relieve inflammation. This set of events is carried out 2–4 times with breaks of 5–6 days.
At moderate severity diseases, when 3–5 lesions are formed, 1% coral emulsion or 2% chlorophos solution is rubbed into the skin. Treatment must be carried out 5 times with an interval of 5–6 days. At the same time, the cat is given a 1% chlorophos solution. The dosage is determined by the doctor.
If the disease takes a severe form and large lesions appear on the body, the skin is treated with a 2% chlorophos solution. This drug is also given to the animal orally, but a 1% concentration of the composition is used. The procedure is repeated every 5 days until the cat recovers. After treatment with chlorophos, the damaged areas are lubricated with Vishnevsky ointment with the addition of 2% dicresyl or Acrodex aerosol.

Good results are obtained with the use of the drug Ivomec. It is administered subcutaneously. But keep in mind that Ivomec should be used with caution. Some cats have hypersensitivity to this drug. To prevent anaphylactic shock, you should first make a test injection in the minimum dose, which is determined by the veterinarian based on the weight of the animal.

The drug can be used provided there is no reaction. In some cases, after repeated injection of Ivomec in cats, increased salivation, passivity, appearance of red spots on the skin. These manifestations do not require medical intervention; after 2–3 days they disappear on their own.

Drops are also used to combat subcutaneous mites:

The drug Frontline is applied to the withers.
Bars drops are applied to the skin between the shoulder blades. To treat the lesions, the cat needs to part the fur. The dosage of the drug is prescribed by a veterinarian, it depends on the weight of the animal. Treatment is carried out no more than once a month until the symptoms of the disease disappear.
Stronghold is applied between the animal's shoulder blades. Apply once a month. If necessary, after this period, repeated processing is carried out.

Photo gallery: drugs for treating pets

Drops Bars for cats

Stronghold for cats

Frontline

Application of traditional methods

Besides medicinal methods exist and traditional methods treatment of subcutaneous mites. But use them only after consulting a veterinarian.

Mix equal parts solid oil, unrefined olive oil and Birch tar. Apply the ointment to the skin once a day until the cat recovers completely.
Shredded birch leaves pour boiling water and leave for 20 minutes, then strain. Give the animal 1/4 teaspoon three times a day half an hour before meals.
Melt in a water bath cosmetic soap and pour in the oil walnuts. When the mass has cooled, add a little birch tar. Treat the affected areas with ointment once a day until symptoms disappear.

Photo gallery: folk remedies for subcutaneous mites in cats

Solid oil

Features of caring for a sick animal

Care consists of timely response and treatment of the disease. The affected areas should be regularly lubricated with the medicine and the formation of new lesions should be prevented. In order for the cat’s immune system to cope with the disease faster, the pet must be provided with adequate nutrition. During this period, the animal’s body needs proteins. If you are feeding a cat natural food, introduce more meat, fish and dairy products into your diet.

When using special mixtures, choose premium formulations. These foods are made from natural ingredients and will provide your cat with the necessary nutrients. These include brands such as Eukanuba, Hills, Purina, Lams, Pro Plan, Royal Canin, Acana. At natural feeding give your cat some restoratives vitamin complexes: Exel BREWERS YEAST, VITA-BON cat, Nutri-Vet.

Important! At the first signs of demodicosis, contact your veterinarian immediately.

Prevention measures

Preventive measures suggest proper care, that is, a balanced diet and proper living conditions.
It is also necessary to limit the cat’s contact with possible carriers of the infection.
Periodically treat with acaricidal preparations, because It is these agents that are active against demodectic and sarcoptoid mites. One of these drugs is IN-AP, which is applied to the withers area.

One of the reasons that creates favorable conditions for the development of demodicosis is stress. They can occur as a result of a cat staying alone for a long time in an apartment, poor quality nutrition, or a change of place of residence. For preventive purposes, it is necessary to minimize the risk of such stress-forming factors.

If you find signs of demodicosis in your cat, do not delay visiting the veterinarian. Only a specialist will be able to correctly diagnose and prescribe the necessary therapy. Treatment of subcutaneous mites is also allowed traditional methods. But before using them, discuss the effectiveness of these methods with your doctor.

Subcutaneous mites in cats occur as a result of infection from other representatives of the feline family, which, as a rule, occurs through direct contact with an infected animal.

Scabies mites quickly spread through the fur and lay eggs, creating numerous offspring that cause serious harm cat's health The disease can be localized or generalized. Today we will learn how to identify a scabies mite infestation at home and what measures need to be taken to save your pet.

Is the subcutaneous tick transmitted to humans?

However, according to others scientific research, it was established that scabies mites survive during external environment for quite a long time. If this information is correct, then there are still risks of infection for humans.

Unlike cats, which are covered with dense fur, this disease manifests itself quickly in humans. The first sign of infection is redness skin in the face and neck area.

Subsequently, this symptom turns into profuse acne. If you do not pay attention to these messengers of demodicosis, the mite will continue to spread throughout the epidermis, which will manifest itself as redness and peeling of the skin on other parts of the body.

The rash will create characteristic discomfort for a person, accompanied by severe itching and an unpleasant tingling feeling. For which category of citizens are scabies mites in cats especially dangerous (risk group):

people with weakened immune systems;
pregnant women;
experienced smokers;
allergy sufferers;
people who maintain an unhealthy diet and lifestyle;
citizens suffering chronic diseases endocrine in nature;
patients undergoing a course of treatment with medications of certain groups.

To avoid infection with demodicosis from domestic cat, it is necessary to limit close contacts with her, maintain personal hygiene and be sure to carry out medical therapy for the sick pet.

Types of ear mites

The ideal environment for the proliferation of scabies arthropod microorganisms is abundant heat and sufficient humidity, which is important for ears cats. That is why subcutaneous mite most often localized in the ears.

It is very important to determine the infection of a domestic cat with demodectic mange in the early stages, when the disease responds well to treatment and does not yet have complications.

A subcutaneous tick in a cat is identified by its characteristic features:

redness and peeling of the epidermis are observed in the affected area;
the condition of the coat deteriorates;
pustules and nodular rashes appear;
pigmentation of the epidermis is disrupted;
the cat is bothered by severe itching;
bleeding wounds appear;
hair loss, partial baldness on different areas(in the first stages this sign is visible in the eye area);
the appearance of hard, raised growths on the cat’s body.

On late stages are affected internal organs, the animal weakens, becomes apathetic, refuses food, etc. To prevent complications of demodicosis, it is necessary to show the cat to an experienced veterinarian when the first signs of infection are detected. To determine an accurate diagnosis, the doctor will conduct a series of diagnostic procedures, including skin scraping for laboratory testing.

Treatment of localized form

Before selecting treatment for demodicosis in cats, it is necessary to determine the form of the ongoing disease. When a specific area is affected, most often the head or neck, a localized scabies mite is identified. Treatment of this form of disease is based on the following rules:

Bathing your pet using special products.
Treatment of affected areas with medicinal compounds.
Cleaning your pet's skin from scabs.
Immunotherapy.

For bathing and cleaning the skin, you can use special shampoos with chlorhexidine. This component in the form of a solution is excellent for treating affected areas of the epidermis. You can also use regular peroxide. Using these products you can effectively cleanse the skin of scabs.

The localized form responds well to treatment and has a favorable prognosis.

Treatment of the generalized form

When subcutaneous mites infect different parts of the animal’s body, a generalized form of demodicosis is diagnosed, which has a more severe and painful course. With this disease, treatment can only be carried out under the supervision of an experienced veterinarian, taking into account individual characteristics body.

Generalized demodicosis in cats involves treatment at home according to the following plan:

The use of solutions, medicinal gels and various healing ointments to treat affected areas of the body, head and paws. You can use drugs recommended for the treatment of a localized form.
Antibacterial therapy is relevant in case of secondary infection.
Vitamin therapy.
Immunotherapy.
The use of medications aimed at eliminating the underlying disease that provoked a complication in the form of generalized demodicosis.
Be sure to disinfect all items in the house that an infected cat regularly comes into contact with.

The generalized form of the scabies mite is very insidious and difficult to treat therapeutic therapy. Full recovery may occur after several months or even a year. All this time, the owner will need to perform all the necessary medical procedures and proper care for the sick animal.

In the treatment of scabies mites in pets, methods can be used traditional medicine, allowing you to speed up the rate of recovery and eliminate painful symptoms.

But before you start therapy folk remedies, it is necessary to consult with an experienced veterinarian, since any self-medication can lead to the most unfavorable outcome.

Methods of treating demodicosis with folk remedies:

Two or three times a week you can bathe your cat in a bath with a decoction of sage or chamomile.
Calendula tincture with a good drying effect is perfect for spot treatment of the skin in the affected area.
Detergents based on birch tar can be used for medicinal baths.
A very effective, but slightly dangerous way to treat subcutaneous mites in domestic cats involves the use of kerosene. This liquid is used for targeted treatment of affected areas of the body with lost hair. After application, kerosene does not need to be washed off immediately. It is left for 2 days without treating the infected areas with other compounds.
Strongly brewed green tea and almond oil can be used to treat irritated areas in the face and ears.

Traditional methods of treatment are effective in eliminating the unadvanced form of the disease. If demodicosis has reached a progressive stage, use healing herbs and other components according to the recipe traditional healers inappropriate and pointless.

Preventive measures

To minimize or completely eliminate the risk of infecting a domestic cat with scabies mites, it is necessary to follow some measures to prevent demodicosis.

It is also important to regularly treat the wool. by special means from fleas and other microscopic individuals that contribute to the development of unpleasant skin diseases.

In the autumn-spring period, it is advisable to strengthen the cat’s immunity with vitamins and mineral complexes. These same drugs are especially relevant for weakened, often sick animals.

They are selected on an individual basis, so it is not recommended to prescribe vitamin therapy to your cat on your own. It is better to consult an experienced veterinarian and purchase effective means as intended.

Therapeutic preparations for treating the skin of infected animals: Butox 50, Citeal, Amitraz.

After treatment with solutions, healing ointments and creams are applied to the skin: “Aversectin”, “Demos”, “Amidel” gel, etc.

Areas with fallen hair should be treated with oil compositions: “Tsipam”, “Amit”, “Mikodemotsid”, etc.

Used to strengthen the immune system medicines as prescribed by the doctor. The drugs “Immunol”, “Gamavit”, “Maksidin”, etc. show quite effective results.

The main condition for a cat’s speedy recovery is timely consultation with a doctor. Do not self-medicate; when you detect the first signs of scabies mite infection, take your furry friend to an experienced specialist!

How to detect ticks on a cat at home?

To do this, you need to carefully examine the animal - the muzzle, neck, behind the ears, and stroke it, gently running your palms over the entire body against the fur. If the tick has not yet attached itself, you will see a dark brown insect moving quickly along the hairs.

Cat tick symptoms:

A cat has a tick, what should I do? Of course, you need to immediately get rid of the tick and destroy it. Indeed, over time, in the process of saturation, more and more enzymes are injected into the cat’s blood, increasing the level of risk of infection of the animal, so you cannot wait for the tick to get enough and fall off on its own. Incubation period tick-borne diseases is about two to three weeks. Throughout this period, you must carefully monitor your pet’s condition, and if there are any symptoms of illness, immediately contact a veterinarian.

How to remove a tick from a cat?

Treatment of ticks in cats at home. The first step is to assess how long it has been sitting on the cat and how deep it has penetrated the skin. If the tick has been attached for a long time, it has eaten away until large sizes and a swelling has already formed around it, it is better to consult a doctor, since by carelessly pulling the bloodsucker you can damage it, and the remaining tick fragments under the skin will increase the risk of the cat contracting one of the diseases.

The wound on the cat’s body will need to be treated with brilliant green and the condition of the skin around it will need to be observed to see if inflammation, redness, itching occurs - all this alarming symptoms, which will indicate to you that you definitely need to contact a veterinarian.

How to protect a cat from ticks?

It is almost impossible to completely protect a cat from tick bites, especially if it is walking outside. However, there are now several modern means which can significantly reduce risk. These means include:

Certain species parasitize cats. It is useful for owners to know the sources and symptoms of infection, diagnostic methods, and groups of drugs for treatment. Preventative measures will help protect your pet.

Kinds

The following types of ticks are most common in cats:

The photo below shows ear mite Otodectus.

Sources of infection and pathogenesis

Most types of ticks spread by contact: after contact with a sick animal, through objects - bedding, combs, bowls. Pathogens that can live for more than one day in environment, get into the house on the soles of shoes and clothes. These include Otodectes cynotis, Notoedrosis cati, Sarcoptes.

Demodicosis develops differently. Its pathogens become constant companions and part of normal microflora cats. In small quantities they do not make themselves felt, but under unfavorable conditions they become active and multiply. Demodicosis begins in cats with weak immunity, chronic diseases, after viral infections. Infection by contact cannot be ruled out.

Symptoms

Clinical signs of ticks different types have both similarities and differences:

With demodicosis, the cat does not feel itching because hair follicles no nerve endings. A cat itches if an allergy begins due to an increase in population. With otodectosis, the cat rubs its ears, inner surface covered brown coating. If an infection occurs, dark discharge with an unpleasant odor that clogs the ear canal.

Diagnostics

Ticks are difficult to identify external symptoms, because the signs of infection are similar to those of staphylococcal and fungal infections, dermatitis and other pathologies. The size of mites does not exceed half a millimeter, they cannot be seen without magnification, so the species can only be detected and identified in the laboratory.

At the same time, the animal’s health status is determined using clinical and biochemical analysis blood, feces, urine.

Treatment

From the first day the disease is detected, the cat is isolated from other animals and is not allowed outside. The pet is bathed with medicinal pet shampoo, this will help remove scabs, crusts, cleanse, and soften the skin. The treatment regimen depends on the type of pathogen and the severity of the disease.

Veterinarians use the following groups of drugs:

1. External acaricidal agents: ointments, gels, liniments, drops. Medicines are prescribed for focal forms of lesions that are not complicated by secondary infections. Before use, the skin is cleansed with a special lotion or disinfectant solution. Medicines rub into the affected areas, after application do not allow the medicine to be licked until it is absorbed, it is better to put a collar on your neck. The frequency and duration of use of the drugs differs, this is indicated in the instructions.

2. Subcutaneous and intramuscular injections are prescribed for a generalized form of the disease, when the affected areas grow. The names of the drugs are different, but they are based on the same active ingredient- ivermectin. The substance is toxic, so only a veterinarian can prescribe the medicine and determine the dosage.

3. Immunomodulators are used if the defenses are weak and the disease has reached a severe stage.

4.Antibiotics prescribed when signs of a bacterial infection appear.

Treatment regimen and specific drugs the doctor chooses; independent actions will harm the pet. During illness, it is recommended to wash the floor and wipe furniture with antimicrobial agents daily. A balanced diet will help strengthen your pet’s immunity and cope with illness.

Prevention

You can protect your cat from ticks if you follow the safety and hygiene rules:

protect from contact with sick animals;
do not let out for walks unattended;
support immunity with balanced nutrition and vitamins;
once a month treat the withers with acaricidal drops;
regularly examine the head and ears;
bring for preventive veterinary examinations;
detect and treat diseases in a timely manner;
keep the cat and care items clean.

On early stage It is not difficult to remove ticks; in their neglected form they lead to serious internal violations. At the first sign of infection, it is important to seek veterinary help and follow your doctor's recommendations.

Infection occurs through contact of a healthy animal with a sick one. Interestingly, if a cat has a strong immune system, he can be a carrier, but not suffer from unpleasant symptoms. There are even predisposition factors, including genetic ones.

With a disease such as subcutaneous mites in cats, the symptoms are as follows:

First, tubercles appear on the skin, from which ichor oozes;
The skin around the place where the tick has settled begins to turn red and thicken;
After some time, the hair on the affected area falls out;
The skin begins to peel, causing itching.

Several forms of the disease occur in cats. The simplest is scaly, or localized. It is the least dangerous, and often the course of the disease does not cause concern to the cat. There are frequent cases of self-healing.

More unpleasant consequences The animal experiences pustular and papular forms, and the most dangerous form is mixed.

In complex generalized demodicosis, mites clog the cat’s body so much with the products of their vital activity that it begins to become intoxicated. This leads to weakened immunity, weight loss, impaired protective functions skin. Foci of ulcers, folliculitis, and enlarged lymph nodes may appear.

Diagnosis of subcutaneous mites in cats

The most difficult moment is timely detection and differentiation. Very often, veterinarians confuse symptoms with lichen and prescribe incorrect treatment. Therefore, to make sure that we are talking about demodicosis, a skin sample is taken and sent for a biopsy. If traces of a mite are found in the samples, the doctor will be able to make a final diagnosis and prescribe a course of therapy.

Prevention of subcutaneous mites in cats

It is also necessary to use shampoos, sprays, or preventive drops, or specialized collars impregnated with an insecticide that penetrates the animal’s skin.

It is very important to monitor your diet. It must contain essential vitamins and minerals. You can add immune stimulating agents. Protect your cat from hypothermia. Any infection weakens the body's defenses.

How to treat subcutaneous mites in cats

Let's move on to the most important and responsible point of our article - how to treat subcutaneous mites in cats? Modern veterinary medicine has a rich toolkit for combating demodicosis. You shouldn’t wait for a miracle and hope for self-healing. Although light form and is not dangerous, you do not know whether the disease will develop further.

Treatment should be comprehensive, step-by-step. This is the only way you can not only eliminate the symptoms, but also their source. If ticks appear in cats, treatment at home is possible and quite effective.

First stage– wash the cat with a special shampoo containing anti-mite insecticidal substances. This will relieve itching and flaking caused by dermatitis.