Parasitic Skin Disease in the Feline

Parasitic Skin Disease

A high percentage of skin diseases in the cat have a primary ectoparasitic (external parasite) source. In most countries vets will always look for evidence of parasites, especially fleas, whenever presented with a pruritic (itchy) cat.

Fleas and flea control

There are many types of fleas but in the cat, it is the cat flea that causes the problem. Fleas will not live or breed on humans, although they may take bite us. They are dark brown, vertically flattened, and very fast moving. They breed in your house in carpets and bedding, not outside. Every adult female flea has the potential of laying up to 200 flea eggs per week in your house. It doesn't take long for tens of thousands of fleas to develop. The flea egg falls to the floor and will lay in your carpet or between the floor boards. This will hatch and form an organic scavenging pupa which then forms a cocoon before emerging as the adult flea. The life cycle can take from 2 weeks to 6 months plus and the stories of houses infested with fleas, unfortunately, are all true!

The secret is not to get into a position to have fleas in the house in the first place. We do believe that the best anti-flea products are obtained directly from your vet, when your pet has an active flea problem. However, to prevent flea infestation the best advice, is prevention. Vetkem Cat Flea Collars will provide up to five months protection from fleas. It is important to provide constant flea control as a months break will allow fleas to start breeding, again, in your household.

Determining the presence of fleas

A very simple test for the presence of fleas is the 'comb out test' onto damp tissue paper. Place a layer of damp tissue paper twice the size of your cat on a table top. Put your cat on the tissue paper and comb all areas of the coat, especially the middle of the back, onto the tissue paper. Look for black/brown granules that absorb water and provide a russet brown ring around the granules. These are flea dirts and indicate an active flea presence.

Life Cycle of Fleas

Cat fleas are brought into your household on your pet and will lay their eggs on your pet an in their close proximity. These develop into organically scavenging pupae in your carpets and skirting boarding and, depending on climatic conditions will develop, via a cocoon phase, into adult fleas between two weeks and six months after deposition. Movement in a room triggers the hatching of the cocoon larvae into the adult flea. Vetkem Cat Flea Collars will control fleas for up to 5 months. Please, do remember, that fleas carry the act and dog tapeworm, Dipilydidium. We would advise 3 monthly worming with Droncit If you have a heavy infestation problem or an cat that hunts incessantly, you may need to use this anti-tapeworm treatment every month.

Other Parasitic Skin Conditions

Ticks

These are common parasites of cats that roam outside. They are capable of spreading of spreading the intracellular parasite, haemobartonella, and will cause conditions such as tick bite granuloma. Vetkem Cat Flea Collars are effective in reducing tick infestation in cats.

Cheyletiella

This is a mite that can live on the skin of cats. It particularly likes the dorsal surfaces and will cause intense irritation and heavy scurfing and dandruff in limited areas, especially on the dorsum (upper surfaces) of the back. Shampooing weekly for 3 weeks with a preparation called Seleen will usually eliminate the problem.

Lice

These external parasites are becoming increasingly rare and are species specific. They are usually 1-2 mm in length, a faun to plum, colour and will cause intense irritation on all body surfaces, especially over the body where areas of hair loss and skin inflammation may occur. Vetkem Cat Collars can help to prevent lice infestation.

Ear mites

Also known as Otodectes. Common parasites of the ear canal of the cat which may cause intense irritation, excessive wax production and irritation. They often cause secondary irritation round the ear flaps. Consult your veterinarian for advice and treatment.