Feline demodicosis: symptoms, treatment and prevention

What is demodicosis in cats?

Street cats most often become carriers of unwanted viruses and microorganisms. It is difficult to find a person who has never seen an animal covered with small scales, bald patches and wounds. Most often, these indicators indicate the presence of lichen. However, do not be afraid; for humans, with the right approach, the virus is not dangerous.

Demodicosis

Important! To save the animal from suffering and break the chain of infection, you need to contact an experienced specialist. In an advanced stage, long-term and high-quality care is required.

The causative agent of the disease and routes of infection

Feline demodicosis or, as it may also be called, red scabies appears due to the activity of a parasite. In simple words, this is a Demodex mite (Latin: Demodex cati or Demodex gatoi). The pathogen spreads not only through the fur, but also through the skin.

Risk group

All animals are at risk, regardless of age, breed or gender. It is also worth noting that you can bring a tick home even on shoes or clothing. Therefore, before approaching a sick animal, it is worth remembering that you have pets at home. Additionally, it can be noted that:

transmission can even occur through the womb. If the condition of a pregnant cat is extremely advanced, then the kittens are 80% likely to be born with the problem;
contact with a sick animal - even if the cat ran out into the street and there was minimal contact with the sick animal, it is necessary to prepare in advance for the consequences.

Fleas can also cause demodicosis. During treatment with antibiotics, immunity is noticeably reduced; the appearance of even simple fleas can cause damage to the skin.

How does demodicosis develop?

Many owners in the first stages may confuse the symptoms with poor diet or an allergic reaction. A small rash appears on the body, and a little later - purple spots. It progresses at different rates; in cats with stronger immunity it takes several years, and in cats with weakened immunity it takes several months.

Baldness is an already advanced stage that can only be corrected by a specialist. The affected area is most often the ears and mouth area. In rare cases, it develops from the side of the body or under the folds of the paws. Demodicosis mites and bald spots in cats can also indicate the presence of cancer.

Inspection

Pathogenesis and routes of infection

Parasites destroy the skin and hair follicles, as a result the hair falls out and stops growing. Waste products are released into the surrounding tissues, irritate nerve endings, and weaken the protective function of the skin. The cat develops dermatitis and a bacterial infection develops. The tick is able to move in internal organs through the lymphatic system.

Giardiasis

Dipylidiasis

Opisthorchiasis

The routes of spread of parasites have not been precisely established; doctors' opinions are divided. Some call sick animals the source of infection. Others consider Demodex mites to be permanent residents of mammals and humans that do not cause harm, but rather reproduce and disturb in unfavorable conditions.

These include:

weak immunity due to past infections, viruses, chronic diseases;
unbalanced diet: lack of fats, vitamins A, B, E;
helminthic infestation;
skin lesions;
fleas;
unsanitary conditions of detention;

Kittens inherit demodicosis from their mother.

A person cannot become infected; the immune system does not allow feline Demodex mites to pass through.

Inconveniences include minor inflammations when the parasite gets on the surface of the skin; they go away on their own without treatment.

Symptoms and signs of the disease

Rhinotracheitis in cats: symptoms and treatment at home

Symptoms of tick-borne infestation

Demodicosis is a pathology with a long course. With strong immunity, subcutaneous parasites may not manifest themselves for a long time.

As soon as the body's defenses fail, microscopic mites gradually destroy the epithelial cells of the skin. After some time, the following signs can be observed:

Bald spots appear on the head, which itch and cause discomfort to pets.
In balding areas, reddened and flaky skin is visible. Pigmentation is disrupted.
The skin acquires a lumpy structure, bubbles form, and when they are damaged, a cloudy white liquid mixed with blood flows out.
As the disease progresses, the skin thickens, folds and scabs appear. All this is accompanied by unbearable itching.
In the area of pathological foci, enlarged lymph nodes can be felt.
Purulent, fungal or mixed dermatitis gradually develops. The inflammatory process affects the hair follicles. The skin becomes sticky, begins to shine, and an unpleasant odor emanates from the cat.
The pet's head becomes large compared to the rest of the body, the size of the eyes narrows, and scabs and bare skin are also present around them.

The constant motor activity of the parasite on the skin and the spread of waste products provoke the appearance of such symptoms.

Feline demodicosis is not transmitted to humans; a similar disease in humans is caused by another type of tick.

Types of disease

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As mentioned earlier, there are several forms, knowledge of which will help provide timely assistance to the animal.

Localized demodicosis

A simple and obvious form of the disease that spreads only to one or several parts of the pet’s body. Under this condition, there is no infection of the paws. Treatment will take several weeks, the pet will recover quickly.

Generalized demodicosis

Running form of localized type. If left untreated, the disease will begin to affect all areas of the skin, starting from the paws, ending with the side and genital area. It occurs more often in street animals that have no one to look after them. It is extremely difficult to cure, since immunity decreases and against the background of one disease several more appear.

Preventive measures

Prevention of demodicosis consists of several basic measures:

regular and timely vaccination against fleas and ticks (special preventive drops and collars are sold in every pet pharmacy);
selection of the correct diet (you need a balanced diet rich in proteins);
providing the cat with all the necessary vitamins and minerals (additional vitamins can be prescribed by a veterinarian);
providing comfortable and safe conditions for the cat (compliance with sanitary standards, protecting the animal from stress, etc.).

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

To avoid passing ticks to your pets with your own hands, you need to take care of your hygiene. After each contact with a sick cat, you need to wash your hands and treat them with an antibacterial solution. The clothes you were wearing at the time of contact should be washed immediately. While your pet is sick, limit his access to the outdoors. There have been cases when cats with a frightening itchy “mask” on their faces suffered at the hands of people. Cats that were mistaken for being highly contagious were stoned and abused. Therefore, let your pet heal and get stronger first.

Demodectic mange (red scabies) is a rare disease caused by subcutaneous mites. In this case, individual, small areas of the body may be affected. If scabies is not treated, the affected areas merge into large bald spots with wounds and ulcers. It is difficult to cure this infection, but it is possible. To do this, veterinarians prescribe products to care for diseased skin, injections, vitamins, etc. It is important to follow all recommendations and prescriptions. The danger of this tick for humans is exaggerated (humans cannot become infected with feline demodicosis).

First aid for demodicosis

If, after a walk, your pet begins to actively try to scratch its ears or face, you should conduct an examination to identify a rash or redness. In the first stages, you can do without tablets, ointments and injections; you will need daily treatment with special drops, chlorhexidine.

Distemper in cats: symptoms and treatment at home

Since the lesion most often appears in the ear area, a specialist may recommend the use of an Elizabethan collar. Therefore, owners must understand that only timely analysis will help quickly get rid of the problem. Any self-medication is powerless if there is no certainty that it is demodicosis.

Important! The symptoms are very similar to a food allergy.

Symptoms: how does demodex gatoi manifest itself?

The insidiousness of this disease lies in the fact that it does not immediately manifest itself. For this reason, many cat owners miss the early stage of pathology by seeking veterinary help too late. The appearance of demodex can be determined by the following signs:

redness of the skin;
itching - the animal, experiencing constant discomfort, scratches the skin, as a result of which bleeding and weeping wounds appear on it;
swelling on the skin with ulcers;
deterioration of the condition of the coat - it becomes dull, disheveled, and a white coating appears on it;
scales on the skin that eventually turn into scabs;

Diagnosis of cat scabies

Diagnosis of the disease is carried out by a veterinarian; he needs to take a scraping from the damaged area of the cat’s skin. The scraping is usually taken not once, but several times, so that the information is as up-to-date as possible. Next, the scrapings are examined using a microscope, because this is the only way to see the parasite itself and understand what exactly is bothering the pet. Next, you need information from the owner - with whom the animal has been in contact, how long the symptoms have been appearing, whether there are any allergic reactions, etc. After this, you can begin treatment for the cats, which will help solve the problem.

Risk group among cats

Ticks do not show any preference for cats based on age, breed or gender. All pets can be susceptible to infection. But from practice over the years, some veterinarians have realized that Siamese and Burmese breeds are more prone to the disease.

The risk group for the development of demodicosis also includes animals that:

have had an infection;
underwent surgery;
are in a stressful situation;
poorly nourished, diet poor in vitamins and minerals;
were treated with antibacterial agents;
kept in unsanitary conditions;
have weak immunity;
old age.

Any poorly treated skin pathologies also contribute to the development of demodicosis, which progresses rapidly and with complications.

How to treat demodicosis in cats

Treatment depends on the level of advanced disease. Below is an overview that will answer the most popular questions.

Ears and tick

Demodicosis in cats, proper treatment, drugs: antibiotics and glucocorticoid drugs

It is used in the worst case, when more than 60% of the skin is affected. For illness, the following medications are used:

Amoxicillin;
Betamox.

The dosage is prescribed by a specialist.

Therapeutic measures

Treatment with Butox or Amitraz solutions will be no less effective. The wounds are treated with Demos and Amidel. These medications are also prescribed by your veterinarian.

Folk remedies against subcutaneous mites

As practice has shown, insects and dangerous viruses easily adapt to a complex habitat. It is impossible to completely remove demodicosis from a cat using tinctures and traditional medicine. Application can relieve only the symptom, but more often causes an allergic reaction.

Important! If your pet’s life is precious, then you shouldn’t skimp on going to a specialist who can give precise instructions.

You can often see pets being treated with kerosene; it is worth understanding that the method is not effective and can cause poisoning and damage to the skin. But chamomile tincture, when scratched vigorously, can relieve itching. When demodicosis appears in a cat, there are many correct remedies for how to treat it, but you can definitely know the current list of remedies only after consulting a doctor.

What does the pathogen look like?

Demodex is a very small subcutaneous mite that cannot be seen with the naked eye. Its length is only half a millimeter!

Demodex mite

Under a microscope, an elongated transparent body is observed with poorly defined boundaries between the cephalothorax and abdomen. There are short legs with hooks at the ends. The oral apparatus is armed with a gnawing type proboscis. Mites live in hair follicles and sebaceous glands. They tend to migrate through the lymphatic system to the internal organs, further aggravating the painful process.

Is it possible to get demodicosis from a cat?

Studies have shown that demodicosis is not dangerous for humans. It does not take root on the skin due to regular bathing, removal of dead skin, etc. When it enters the respiratory system, the tick lingers on the mucous membrane and then dies. However, it is better to work with an infected animal with gloves, and then treat your hands with alcohol or wash them thoroughly with laundry soap. It is forbidden to pick up a healthy cat.

The disease can be transmitted to the dog and other pets. Everything is simple here - the parasite is attracted to a weakened organism, due to which it can feed and develop. Against the background of his life, problems appear with the digestive system, problems with blood poisoning, since the wounds are open. If you cannot pass by a sick cat or kittens, you must take all precautions. Pets need to be treated regularly for parasites, even though they are indoors. The same fleas can be brought home on shoes or pants. This problem has become extremely popular lately.

Doctor and cat

Preventive actions

You can protect your animal from an unwanted parasite even at the stage of carrying out preventive measures. What veterinarians advise you to do:

If a pregnant cat is sick, you should not use antibiotic treatment. The kittens will be born weak and most will die within the first month. After birth they need to be separated;
if the cat leads a semi-stray lifestyle, which is quite normal for those who live in a private house, a minimum inspection should be done daily. Since the ears often suffer, the best way to protect against the development of diseases is to wipe the ears with chlorhexidine. Wounds received in battle should be treated with hydrogen peroxide and brilliant green;
Shampoos, sprays and flea collars are no less effective. To prevent the pet from being endangered, it is treated with Stronghold once every 2 months. This is the cheapest and most effective remedy, applied strictly to the withers and distributed along the spine;
treatment for worms;
pay attention to the general well-being of the animal. The first sign of illness is loss of appetite and impaired concentration. The cat becomes less active and apathetic, many begin to look for a place where they can hide.

Demodectic mange in cats is a fairly common phenomenon. However, there is no need to panic; the first thing experts recommend doing when a rash appears is to contact the nearest veterinary center. Home medicine is powerless in this case.

Treatment

The therapeutic process is always long and difficult. This is explained by the peculiarities of the development and spread of the tick throughout the body and the fact that skin lesions most often occur in association with bacteria and fungi. In addition, the difficulty of therapy lies in the fact that the larvae do not eat anything, and therefore do not consume medicinal substances introduced into the body. In the generalized form, when the affected area is large, it is sometimes recommended to euthanize the animal - the condition is considered practically incurable.

For treatment, drugs are used only in combinations. It will not be possible to get by with just one universal remedy, especially since it does not exist. The most important thing is not to use or use glucocorticoids very limitedly, because against the background of their use, demodicosis may begin to develop even more severely due to the effect of immunosuppression (immune suppression).

How to treat demodicosis in cats - a list of drugs and an algorithm ( the list of drugs is given for informational purposes only and is not a direct guide to action! ):

Self-medication is prohibited! All drugs and their combinations are selected only by a veterinarian, taking into account the individual characteristics of the cat’s body and the intensity of the damage. Treatment of demodicosis in cats at home can cost the pet's life.
Therapy always continues until 3 negative scrapings are obtained in a row with an interval of 2-3 weeks.
Before applying any topical medications, it is recommended to trim the hair in all affected areas. In some cases, a haircut with a clipper may be allowed so that there is absolutely free access to the skin.
It is mandatory to use anti-tick medications containing ivermectin, doramectin, aversectin or moxidentin as active ingredients. The veterinarian decides for himself which of the active ingredients is suitable in this particular case. The instructions for the drugs indicate intramuscular or subcutaneous administration, but in practice, subcutaneous administration gives better results.

Ivermectin (Ivermek, Baymecom, Novomek, Eprimek, Otodectin, Amirtrazine, Ivomek, etc.).	1 ml is per 10 kg of body weight. It is administered subcutaneously or intramuscularly, depending on what the manufacturer writes in the instructions for the drug. But the greatest effectiveness was observed with subcutaneous administration. The injection is done once a week, for min 2 weeks, then until recovery under the control of scrapings.
Doramectin (Meradoc, Dectomax)	Less toxic than ivermectin. Does not give obvious side effects in case of accidental overdose. Administered at the rate of 1 ml/10 kg body weight. But in practice, a dosage of 0.5 ml/cat of an average, normal size is quite acceptable without any side effects. Works well in combination with B vitamins in 1:1 proportions. Differs in duration of action. Injections can be repeated every ten days.
Aversectin (Aversect 0.2%)	Intramuscularly or subcutaneously in the area of the withers or knee fold in a dose of 0.1 ml once every 5-7 days. The course is long until recovery.
Moxidectin (Cydectin)	It is the least toxic of all acaricidal agents; it can be administered to pregnant women; it is administered only subcutaneously and with strict adherence to the dosage - usually 0.2 mg/kg. The injection can be repeated no earlier than after 7 days.

It is imperative to increase the overall resistance of the body through the introduction of various immunomodulators and anti-acaricidal stimulants:

Immunoparasitan	The only specific drug that increases the body's resistance specifically against demodex mites. In some places the drug is called tick vaccine. The regimen and frequency of administration must not be violated. Usually 4 to 6 injections are given every 4-5 days: 1: 0.1-0.4 ml From 2 to 6 injections, each subsequent one increases by 0.1-0.4 ml If the drug is used to prevent cat scabies, the course is repeated after 1 month.
Gamavit	If for treatment, then 0.3-0.5 ml/kg. Usually 2 ml of the drug per cat is used. Give 2-4 injections per week.
Gala Vet	A dose of 2-5 mg/kg is administered into the muscle twice a day at regular intervals. 5 days of admission is enough.
Maxidin	For cats up to 5 kg, 0.5 ml is given subcutaneously or into the muscle, over 5 kg - 1 ml. Typically administered twice daily for 5 days.
Glycopene	Cats are given 1/4-1/2 tablet/5 kg of weight. 10-14 days are allotted for the therapeutic effect. It is considered one of the most effective immunomodulators in the treatment of demodicosis.
Ribotan	Up to 2 ml into the muscle or subcutaneously per cat. Injections are repeated after 3-5 days each, depending on how severe the cat’s condition is. Course: 3 injections at intervals, but every 2-3 weeks.

It is important to use any hepatoprotectors - most acaricidal injection drugs have a toxic effect on the liver.

Covertal, hepatoject	On average, 0.5-2 ml of the drug is administered subcutaneously or into a muscle, or for a course of up to 14 days, or administered periodically throughout the entire course of treatment to support the liver.
Hepatovet	Orally 1 ml of suspension for every 3 kg of cat's weight 2-3 times a day throughout the entire treatment period.
Heptral	Into the muscle 0.5-1 ml every day when acaricidal drugs are administered or given throughout the entire course of treatment. Or a course of 5-10 days after the end of treatment.
Essentiale	It is ideal to administer intravenously several times, but tablets are mainly used.

It is necessary to introduce food sulfur into the diet, which affects eggs and larvae, accumulating in the hair follicles.

Food sulfur (powder)

Orally with food (just sprinkle) 0.05-0.1 g daily 1 time a day (a small pinch with your fingers or on the tip of a knife without a slide). Course - 1 month

Local treatment with acaricidal solutions (aqueous or oily), as well as ointments, creams or gels. Oil solutions are well suited for scabs to gently soften and remove them.

Scabs and crusts cannot be forcibly torn off - when the ichor appears, the mite immediately begins to multiply, laying eggs!

Pikhtoin	Use all ointments, gels and solutions in multiplicity according to the instructions. It is important to prepare the skin surfaces by clearing them of pus, crusts and blisters with liquid contents. Not only the affected surfaces are treated, but also up to 2 cm of healthy areas.
Demos
Ivermect-gel
Amidel-gel
Aversectin ointment
Amit, Amitan (amitraz preparations)
Ectodes
Butox	It is not advisable to use it in the generalized form, when the cat is weakened. Dilute 1 ml of the drug in 1 liter of water and treat the affected areas, including healthy ones. For 3 days you should not lick the treated areas, so it is not recommended to treat the head and you must wear a collar to prevent licking of the body. Frequency of treatments – 1 time per week until recovery.
Stomazan, neostomasan	Dilute 1 ml of the medicine in 200 ml of water at room temperature and treat all affected areas of the skin with a cotton-gauze swab. It is not advisable to treat the mouth areas. It is forbidden to let it be licked - toxic! After treatment, it is important to dry the cat very thoroughly - dry skin and fur are safe. Usually two treatments are carried out with an interval of 7 days.
Mycodemocid	Calculation of drug consumption is 0.4-0.7 ml/kg. The specified volume is rubbed onto previously cleansed skin from crusts and scabs, covering up to 2 cm of healthy skin. Be sure to wear a collar to prevent the substance from being licked off. Do not allow children to pet the cat for 24 hours.
Sea buckthorn oil	Apply a thin layer several times a day to the areas where scabs form to soften and remove them. Do not let it be licked off.

If necessary, antifungal drugs and antibiotics are added for complex treatment:

Sinulox 50 (amoxiclav)	On average, 1 tablet/5 kg or 12.5 mg of active ingredient per kg of body weight twice a day, min 5 days – max 14. If there is an urgent need, the course is repeated after a certain period of time.
Ciprofloxacin (Ciprovet 50)	1 tab. for every 3 kg of body weight 1 time/day. within 3-5 days. The maximum course can be extended to 10 days.
Cefazolin	Calculation of the daily dose: 30-60 mg/kg, divided into 2-4 doses per 24 hours (15-30 mg/kg is given once). Course: 5-10 days.
Kanamycin	It is better to use it by injection: 1 ml/10 kg of the cat’s weight 2-3 times a day, depending on the intensity of the lesion. Duration of treatment – up to 7 days.
Ketoconazole	Give orally 1 time/day. 5-10 mg/kg for 14-21 days. Monitor for side effects, because... The drug is not well tolerated by cats.
Griseofulfin	Give 25-40 mg/kg twice a day along with food. It is advisable to keep a break between doses of 12 hours. The course can last up to 5 weeks.

In some cases, acaricidal drops on the withers and/or sprays (Stronghold, Advocate, etc.) can provide a visible therapeutic effect.
To speed up skin regeneration, fat-soluble vitamins A and E are added (can be taken orally, or injected):

Trivitamin, Tetravit (oral forms)	Orally with food, 1-2 drops 1 time per day for 3-4 weeks.
AEvit	Subcutaneously once a week 0.5-1.5 ml throughout the entire course of treatment for demodicosis.

When the generalized form is advanced, tablets or oral solutions are added, the active substance of which will kill the tick from the inside. With a massive infection with demodicosis, tick larvae and eggs spread throughout the body through the lymphatic system - local treatments and injections alone will not work. The generalized form is very rarely treated in cats, so the range of acceptable oral medications is very small:

Sayfli	Orally 1 time per week, ¼ tablet/5 kg of pet's weight. Min should be taken for 1 month, then if necessary.
Ivermectin	Dosage 0.4-0.6 mcg/kg orally. Monitor for side effects and what to consider when changing the dosage or replacing the medication. It is advisable not to overdose and use in tablets. Injection solutions cannot be soldered.

During treatment, the cat must be surrounded by almost ideal conditions and balanced feeding. Try to exclude from your diet everything that can cause allergies or interfere with liver function.
It is not advisable to use folk remedies when treating cats for demodicosis. Cats are hypersensitive to many natural substances, the side effects of which may be more harmful than the underlying disease. In rare cases, you can slightly alleviate skin sensations with a decoction of wormwood and celandine, but with the availability of modern and more effective means, no one uses these methods anymore.
Under no circumstances should treatment be interrupted at the first signs of visual improvement! Each subsequent (undertreated) outbreak will be even stronger and more pronounced than the previous one, and more resistant to treatment.