External parasites can cause significant health problems in your cat. Despite their legendary cleanliness, cats are paradoxically the main source of chips, both for themselves and for dogs and your domestic environment. But chips are not the only external parasites to monitor: mushrooms, mites and other pests may also affect the health of your feline.
Contents
Different types of external parasites
External parasites that can infest your cat fall into several categories:
- The mites : microscopic animals responsible for scabies (with the exception of tick which is a giant mite)
- Chips and lice : insects living in the skin, responsible for pulicosis and phtiriosis, respectively
- Dermatophytes : microscopic fungi that feed on keratin present in the hair and skin, responsible for the moth
ATTENTION : Some of these parasites can be transmitted to humans (zoonosis). Regular veterinary consultations are essential to rapidly diagnose these parasites.
Chips and their Life Cycle
The cat chip (Ctenocephalides felis) can feed on different mammals: cat, dog, man or rabbit. If some cats tolerate their presence, others develop a allergic dermatitis due to an intolerance to the saliva of fleas.
Symptoms include:
- Excessive scraping
- Self-mutilation (glosses)
- Intensive peeling
- Pelades and crusts
Hazards associated with chips
Chips are not only unpleasant, they can also transmit:
- The tenia (Dipylidium caninum)
- Cat's claw disease (Bartonella henselae)
Flea life cycle
The flea reproduction cycle is fast and complex :
- The adult chip (3 mm) lives in animal peeling
- She lays up to 50 eggs a day for several weeks
- Eggs fall to the ground where they expect favourable conditions to hatch
- Larvae feed on adult fleas
- Processing into cocoon and then into adult chip in about 10 days
- The cocoon can protect the chip for several months in the absence of host
How to fight fleas effectively?
To protect your cat, it is essential to treat both:
- Adult fleas on the animal
- Immature forms in the environment
Our team at the Veterinary Clinic Paris 17 prepare a complete diagnosis and propose a pest control adapted to your situation.
Moth: a contagious fungal infection
The cat is frequently infected with a fungus called Microsporum canis. This dermatophyte attacks the base of the hairs, making them fragile and brittle. The visible consequences are:
- Areas of generally circular depilation (nummular alopecia), mainly on the head
- Less supplied coat in long-haired cats
Strong contamination of the moth
The moth is extremely contagious :
- Infected hairs that break out spread infection
- The fungus spores are very resistant in the environment
- Contamination can be done by direct or indirect contact (cousins, carpets, brushes)
- This infection is transmissible to man, causing coin-shaped lesions (circulated herpes)
Moth treatment
Treatment includes administration of an antifungal agent:
- Oral use
- By local application
- Average duration of treatment: 6 weeks
Services veterinary dermatology can diagnose this condition and offer you a suitable solution.
mites: five main types
Ticks
Less common in cats than in dogs, ticks:
- Fixes mainly on the neck and ears
- Take their blood meal for 5 to 10 days
- May be particularly numerous in outdoor cats
Ticks do not transmit piroplasmosis to cats in France, but may inoculate bacteria Haemobartonella feliscauses fever and anaemia.
Thanks to our laboratory of analysis, we can effectively diagnose and treat this infection.
Trombiculosis
This condition is caused by larval Trombicula autumnalis (or Augustats):
- These microscopic mites s
- Forment of characteristic orange spots
- Cause intense itching
Cheyletiallosis
Caused by Cheyletiella blakei, this acariosis mainly affects kittens in breeding :
- Causes important pruritus
- With skin irritation and squamous skin, usually on the back
- May contaminate man (buttons and itching on arms and chest)
Attention : Adult cats that have had cheyletiellosis often become healthy carriers for life.
Ear scab (otacariosis)
The reason for this is Otodectes cynotis :
- Develops in the cat's auditory duct
- Is often transmitted by the mother
- Trains an intense pruritus that can lead to self-harm
Rapid diagnosis and local acaricide treatment can effectively treat this condition.
Head scab (notched scab)
Although rare in France, notoedric scab is characterized by:
- Hyperkeratosis
- Skin crusts
- Generalised injuries to the whole body
- A potential life danger if untreated
How to protect your cat from external parasites
The best protection against external pests is through:
- Regular screening in veterinary consultations
- Preventive application of pest control treatments adapted to your cat and his lifestyle
- Rapid and effective treatment infestation
- Increased vigilance when introducing a new cat into your home
Our team at the Clinique Vétérinaire Paris 17 is at your disposal to establish a pest prevention programme Personalized.
Need a review or treatment for your cat?
If you see signs of external parasites in your cat, Make an appointment With our team. Our veterinarians offer a diagnosis in dermatology and adapted care.
