How to Detect Presence of Scabies in Cats

Scabies is a common skin infection prevalent in domesticated animals and in humans. Notoedres cati is the mite responsible for the presence of scabies in cats. These mites are so small that it cannot be seen by the naked eye. They thrive in warm and moist areas and burrow beneath the surface of the skin. Female mites lay their eggs in the burrows which will eventually hatch and continue the infection.

Scabies are highly contagious and may be transferred from one cat to another or may come from other animals. There are a number of factors that increase the risks of infection one of these is having a close contact or living in the same cage with the infected cat. Kittens are more vulnerable to mites than adult cats.

Scabies are usually mistaken as rashes and are usually not taken seriously and not treated immediately. Untreated scabies lead to secondary infections that result to more serious health problems. Here below are some symptoms of the presence of scabies in your cats.

Severe Itching

Presence of scabies can cause extreme discomfort and irritability to the cat. Scabies thrive beneath the skins surface and cause irritation. The cat would frequently scratch of the infected part. Persistent scratching would result to open wounds that would trigger secondary infection.

Hair Loss

This symptom is first seen around the ears and face. It eventually affects the neck and feet and will be more evident in the lower abdomen.

Presence of Crusts

In the later stages of scabies, the cat's skin thickens and forms into grayish and yellowish scabs. When scratched, these scabs turn into blisters that crust and ooze. These crusts are reopened and become fresh wounds when the cat scratches. Infection is also triggered during grooming where the cat licks the infected part.

Red Marks

These are burrow marks where the mites have crawled under the skin.

Treatment of scabies includes topical application of creams and lotion. These are applied on both the infected and uninfected parts of the skin and should be left unwashed overnight. This treatment is repeated for seven to ten days or as prescribed by the veterinarian. The rashes will begin to disappear in a few days but the itching may last for weeks.

Secondary infections may be treated with antibiotics and anti-fungal creams. It is important that the cat owner follows the dosage prescribed by the veterinarian to prevent bacteria from developing resistance to the drugs.

SOURCE:

http://www.ehow.com/tag/scabies/

http://www.buzzle.com/articles/scabies/