Speaking of cat scabies, this is a parasitic skin disease that causes serious headaches for scavengers.

The long treatment time, easy recurrence, and overall infection in a multi-cat household are all very frustrating for the cat owner. If treatment is not timely or treatment is delayed due to misdiagnosis, the lesions can easily spread throughout the body, which will seriously affect the cat's normal life, leading to loss of appetite, weight loss, and various complications.

What is cat scabies mite? What are the infection routes?

Cat scabies refers to a skin disease caused by the obligate parasite Dorsal anus felis.

It is highly contagious. If protective measures are not taken, people and other pets (cats, dogs, rabbits) are likely to be infected.

The infection rate is high during the three time periods of winter, late autumn, and early spring, because there is insufficient sunlight at these time points and the surface humidity of the cat's skin is high, which is most suitable for the development and reproduction of cat scabies mites.

Cat scabies mites have no breed or gender preference, and the infection rate is higher in long-haired cats and kittens.

　▲What are the routes of infection?

1. Contact infection is the most common route of infection. Infection can occur if healthy cats come into direct contact with infected animals (not just cats).

2. Infection may also occur if the cat comes into contact (eg, foster care) with catteries, kennels or other places contaminated by scabies mites.

　3. Sometimes, if we humans are not careful, clothes and hands may become vectors of infection between cats and other animals. At the same time, we may also develop itchy pimples.

Cat scabies mites are mostly found in cats living in the wild, or in breeding/rescue places with high density of cats, insufficient lighting time, and dampness. The infection rate in normal single-cat households or cat-raising places with good environmental hygiene is extremely low.

What are the symptoms of cats infected with scabies mites?

Cat dorsal anus mites mainly live on the surface of cats’ skin, causing cats to experience severe itching, dryness and scabs.

Most cat scabies mites first appear on the inside of the auricle, and then spread to the entire ear, face, head and neck. Because of the itching, the cat will scratch with its front and hind legs, causing the limbs to become the hardest hit parts of the infection, and then spread from the limbs to the abdomen, perineum and other parts.

　▲Symptoms: The infected area will have symptoms such as skin thickening, skin redness, lichenification (papules and erythema), thinning/baldness/hair loss, scabs or hardening. Peripheral lymph node enlargement is also a common symptom.

If not treated in time, systemic infection will occur, and the cat will also suffer from loss of appetite, weight loss, decreased immunity and resistance, and eventually a variety of complications, which can lead to death of the cat in severe cases.

How do veterinarians diagnose and treat cat scabies?

　▲Veterinarians can use microscopic observation to diagnose cat scabies mites.

Microscopic observation method: Collect and scrape the skin surface of sick cats, and observe under a microscope to find adult worms, larvae or eggs.

Differential diagnosis: Because the symptoms of cat scabies are similar to those of many external parasitic diseases, differential diagnosis is required to avoid misdiagnosis. The diseases identified include: Demodex, autoimmune skin diseases, dermatomycosis, ear scabies, and allergies. (fleas, food, ectopic bodies) etc.

　▲Treatment of cat scabies requires caution, patience and perseverance

Traditional therapy: Use anti-seborrheic shampoo medicated bath, and use 2%-3% lime sulfur mixture all over the body until the microscopic skin scraping examination is negative.

Ivermectin, doramectin, and moxidectin can all be used to treat cat scabies.

Note: The specific dosage, frequency, and method of medication need to be formulated based on the cat’s weight, condition, veterinarian’s orders, and drug specifications. Medication cannot be used without authorization. Improper combination of medication or excessive dosage can cause toxic reactions in cats.

Prognosis: Although the treatment process is relatively long, the prognosis for cat scabies is generally good. ​​​​​​

What should I pay attention to during treatment?

1. If a cat is found to have symptoms of scabies or suspected symptoms of scabies, isolation measures should be taken immediately, especially in households with multiple cats or pets. Optional cat carrier, separate bedroom/room for isolation.

2. If one cat is infected, all cats should be treated. Because scabies is a highly contagious disease, if two cats have been in contact or lived in the same space, they are likely to be carriers of scabies. Therefore, in order to avoid reinfection or secondary recurrence of one cat, both cats should be cured. treat.

3. During the treatment process, we humans should be careful to avoid direct contact with the sick parts of the sick cat (disposable gloves can be used). Although cat scabies mites in most cases cause transient papules in humans, they can also cause severe skin disease in humans.

Expansion: "Transient" refers to clinical symptoms or signs appearing once in a short period of time, often with obvious inducements. When the inducements disappear, the symptoms disappear without treatment.

4. Elizabethan rings. Because the treatment drugs are oral toxic, sick cats need to wear Elizabethan rings to prevent licking.

5. In order to avoid secondary infection of cat scabies mites and other animal/human infections caused by the environment, disinfection measures should be taken. I personally think that chlorine dioxide + ultraviolet disinfection can be used. (Previous articles have detailed science information, click on the blue font to view)

If you encounter cat scabies, timely treatment is the basis, isolation and disinfection are the keys!

Take preventive measures in advance. Don’t wait until your cat develops scabies and then regret it. You can refer to these five items:

1. Maintain environmental hygiene and conduct regular household disinfection. Maintain ventilation and avoid excessive ambient humidity.

2. Cats should be dewormed regularly. Internal deworming can be considered once every three months, and external deworming can be considered every six months.

3. Avoid indoor or outdoor or purely outdoor raising methods. This can not only prevent cat scabies, but also avoid many accidents (for example: falling from a high altitude, being attacked by other animals, being grabbed by bad guys, car accidents, Accidental ingestion of "poisonous sources", etc.).

4. Care must be taken in foster care, and the foster care environment should be inspected on-site. Don’t be greedy for cheap and stay in a place with a high density of cats and a humid and dark environment.

5. If you go to a rescue shelter or come into contact with cats with skin diseases. The first thing you should do when you get home is disinfect your hands and clothes to avoid becoming an "intermediate agent" of scabies mites!