Demodicosis in cats: symptoms and treatment

Demodicosis is a disease that can cause significant suffering in pets, affecting not only their appearance but also their well-being. To begin treatment promptly, it's essential to understand the symptoms of this disease, as only the owner can recognize their pet's need for help and provide all necessary measures to alleviate their condition and ensure their recovery.

Content

1 Reasons
2 At-risk groups
3 Symptoms
4 Diagnostics
5 Treatment

Reasons

This disease is caused by the Demodex mite, which can infect hair follicles and the upper layers of a cat's skin. The parasite is widespread in the environment, but it is not always able to become active in a pet's body. For demodicosis to develop, the body's defenses must be weakened due to the following factors:

unbalanced diet;
decline in immunity after severe pathologies;
presence of parasitic infections;
tendency to allergic reactions;
recovery period after surgery;
damage to the skin.

Once infected, the parasite begins to rapidly multiply, feeding on the cells of hair follicles and sebaceous glands. In severe demodicosis, the mite enters the lymph and spreads throughout the body, further aggravating the disease.

At-risk groups

Demodicosis most often develops in cats with a weakened immune system: in kittens under one year old and in older cats. Veterinarians note that there is a breed predisposition to this condition, particularly in Burmese and Siamese cats.

Pets that interact with stray animals are more likely to become infected. This is because mites can be transmitted even from a cat that shows no signs of demodicosis.

Demodex does not parasitize human skin, so the owner should not worry about infection from the pet.

Symptoms

The main symptoms depend on the form the pathology takes. There are two distinct clinical patterns:

LocalizedThe affected areas are not extensive; there are no more than five of them in total.
GeneralizedIn this form, the lesions are large, with more than six of them. Often, the entire body can be affected.

If left untreated, the localized form of demodicosis often develops into a generalized form over time.

Symptoms develop gradually, and the rate at which they appear depends on the cat's individual characteristics and immune system. Initially, mites multiply in the epidermis around the eyes, on and around the ears, on the forehead, and around the mouth. Initially, pink patches appear in these areas, where small bumps protrude from the skin. These bumps appear at the sites where the demodex mites destroy epithelial cells. These bumps are 3-5 mm in size. Over time, they enlarge, become harder, and when pressed, they release a bloody or greenish fluid. After several weeks or months, bald spots appear in the hair coat, which slowly enlarge. Their surface may become scaly and flaky.

These symptoms are caused by a specific behavior in the cat: it constantly licks the affected areas, swallowing large amounts of hair, which causes digestive problems and vomiting. Due to constant licking, the reddened areas become sore, which can lead to fungal or bacterial infections.

In the final stages, the animal rapidly loses hair, the coat becomes sparse, and normal shedding fails. Symptoms worsen with an allergic reaction to the mite.

Diagnostics

While owners may suspect demodicosis in their pet, only a qualified veterinarian can confirm it. Therefore, it's essential to take your pet to a veterinary clinic. The veterinarian will assess all symptoms and prescribe tests to ensure appropriate treatment.

Diagnosis of demodicosis involves the following tests:

Scrapings for microscopy. Since Demodex mites are very small (about 0.3 mm in length), they can only be seen under a microscope. Scrapings are taken from areas where mites are most likely to congregate—near the ears. Sometimes this analysis is repeated several times, spaced a few days apart, as the pathogen is not always detected the first time.
Fecal analysis. Demodex can be detected in the feces of animals that actively lick painful areas.
Skin biopsy.
Trichogram of wool.

If the symptoms of demodicosis are severe, a more extensive examination is prescribed, including the following additional tests:

complete blood count;
determination of leukemia viruses;
detection of the human immunodeficiency virus etc.

If there are other cats in the house that are asymptomatic, they should also be tested.

Treatment

Treatment of demodicosis is carried out in two main directions:

elimination of the pathogen and elimination of symptoms;
restoration of immunity and protective forces of the animal's body.

Treating your pet at home without consulting a veterinarian is life-threatening, as medications designed to combat ticks are highly toxic, and their unintentional use, without taking into account the pet's specific needs, can not only further undermine its health but also lead to its death.

The most common systemic medications used to combat demodicosis are those based on amirtraza, ivermectin, and averectin. These are sometimes administered to cats as tablets, and sometimes by intramuscular injection. Topical treatments, such as ointments or emulsions containing synthetic insecticides, are often added to systemic medications to quickly reduce symptoms and effectively treat them.

In addition to medications aimed at eliminating demodicosis, a whole range of measures is prescribed:

taking hepatoprotectors that ensure the safe removal of toxins contained in insecticides;
daily cleaning of pet's living areas;
disinfection of dishes and the animal’s sleeping area;
periodic bathing with antifungal or antibacterial shampoo;
lubrication of affected areas with sea buckthorn oil or fir;
prescription of immunostimulants and vitamin-mineral preparations;
In complicated cases, treatment is carried out using antibiotics.

During treatment, special attention should be paid to nutrition: the diet should consist of easily digestible, protein-rich foods. Many veterinarians recommend switching to a high-quality hypoallergenic food during this period.

Treatment for demodicosis lasts at least four weeks, but sometimes lasts much longer. The absence of symptoms is not a reliable indicator, as the eggs remain alive after the adult mites die. If treatment is stopped prematurely, a second wave of the disease will soon appear, making it even more difficult to control.

A veterinarian monitors the treatment process. They prescribe repeat microscopic examination of skin samples once a month. Once three tests show the absence of the pathogen, treatment can be considered complete. Failure to perform follow-up tests can lead to multiple relapses of demodicosis.

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