| Feline Demodicosis: |
Two species of mites cause disease in cats. Demodex cati is thought to be a normal inhabitant of feline skin. It is a follicular  mite, similar to but narrower than the canine mite. The other species of Demodex (usually named D gatoi ) is shorter, with a broad abdomen, and is found only in the stratum corneum. Feline demodicosis is uncommon but possible. In localized demodicosis, there are one or several areas of focal alopecia on the head and neck. In generalized disease, hair loss, crusting, and secondary skin infection of the whole body are seen. The generalized form has also been associated with other diseases, especially diabetes mellitus or immunosuppresive diseases like feline leukemia. In some cases, an ear infection is the only clinical sign. Your cat may or may not be itchy. In for your vet to diagnose the problem he or she will need to do some deep skin scrapings and look at those scrapings under the microscope. Treatment may just be a localized cream or a systemic medication that your cat will have to take orally. Remember that demodex may be a normal mite found on the body of all mammals but in large numbers or in an animal with some other disease process going or stress going on that is when you will see the effects. | |