Notoedrosis in cats, symptoms, photos and treatment: what is it and is the disease transmitted to humans?

What is cat scabies?

Cat scabies is an animal skin disease caused by parasitic organisms. The disease is caused by these types of ticks:

1. Sarcoptes canis. The organisms cause pruritic scabies (sarcoptic mange). The locations of the lesions are different parts of the body. The disease most often affects dogs, but cases of infection in cats are also not uncommon.
2. Notoedres cati. Mites cause head scabies (notoedrosis). This cat disease is one of a number of common diseases.

Important! The disease also occurs due to ear mites. Scabies in this case is called otodectosis.

Scabies mites under a microscope

Ticks that live in your pet's skin cause discomfort, which forces the cat to scratch the lesions. Symptoms of the disease become apparent 2-3 weeks after infection.

Causes of pathology

The exact cause of the disease still remains unknown. There are several theories regarding factors that can provoke the development of the disease.

Factors causing the disease:

• genetics;
• infections;
• inflammation;
• medicines;
• influence of the external environment.

A genetic predisposition to the pathology has been proven, this is confirmed by a large percentage of cases among the patient’s relatives. During scientific research, it was found that the development of the disease is associated with a breakdown of the gene that is responsible for the production of special proteins. These proteins are found on the surface of some cells and are needed so that the immune system can distinguish its own biological structures from foreign agents. Breakdowns in the structure of the gene and specific proteins lead to various immune reactions that can lead to the activation of fibroblasts (cells that produce connective tissue).

Gene mutations can be congenital or acquired. They can occur under the influence of:

• radiation;
• solar radiation;
• critically low or high temperatures;
• toxic substances (pesticides, nitrates);
• chemical compounds;
• viruses.

Scleroderma itself is not a hereditary pathology, but the patient’s immediate relatives have a much higher chance of getting the disease.

Inflammation can also trigger the onset of the disease. The inflammatory reaction triggers the production of biologically active substances that activate fibroblasts, resulting in the development of a systemic form of the disease.

Fibroblasts are connective tissue cells, the activation of which leads to the proliferation of fibrin fibers and sclerosis.

The infection can provoke the onset of a sclerotic process by triggering autoimmune reactions. Studies have confirmed the ability of the cytomegaly virus to produce structures similar to proteins of an infected person, which is why immune cells attack both foreign agents and their own tissues. Many scientists argue that the trigger for scleroderma can be influenza, sore throat, pneumonia, and childhood infections.

Harmful environmental factors surrounding a person are another possible reason for the activation of the sclerosis process. These factors include:

• some chemicals: salts of heavy metals;
• solvents;
• mercury compounds;
• benzene;
• toluene;
• silicone;
• formaldehyde;

harmful food additives.

The influence of these harmful substances can initiate both limited and systemic scleroderma.

Ways of infection with notoedrosis in cats

Cat scabies is a contagious disease. Ticks can penetrate your pet's skin after these manipulations:

1. Contact with an infected animal. Harmful organisms are easily transferred from one pet to another. This often happens on the street, at exhibitions, in pet stores, veterinary offices and nurseries.
2. Contact with an infected person. Ticks easily move from cat to cat and from pet to person.

Important! An animal can also become infected through domestic means. For example, after using a hair brush that got ticks from a sick cat. Carpets, bedding and floor coverings are items that can also temporarily harbor parasites.

Cat affected by notoedrosis

The younger the animal is, the more susceptible it is to infection. The highest risk group includes young individuals.

Can a person get notoedrosis from a cat?

The tick can “move” from the pet to the owner, but will not be able to reproduce on the human body. Scabies in humans caused by cat mites goes away within about a month after the first symptoms if left untreated. The use of medications significantly speeds up the healing process.

A treatment regimen should be drawn up with a dermatologist. Typically, a specialist recommends topical medications that eliminate itching and have a detrimental effect on mites. In some cases, medications are prescribed for internal use.

A tick can “move” from a cat to a person

Attention! Despite the fact that notoedrosis goes away without treatment, you should not ignore a visit to the doctor. There is a high risk of mutation and negative consequences after the course of the disease.

Symptoms

A number of clinical signs are characteristic of feline scabies:

1. Itching . The animal itches, bites itself, rubs against objects. His behavior becomes restless.
2. Papules with a crust . These changes in the epidermis are a consequence of the presence of ticks in it.
3. Peeling . The scratched skin becomes covered with crusts. It becomes thicker, folds appear on it.
4. Baldness . The hair on the combed areas gradually falls out.

Itching in a cat is one of the signs of notoedrosis.

If left untreated, notoedrosis turns into sarcoptic mange, that is, not only the head, but also the entire body of the pet is affected. The following are possible serious complications:

1. Loss of appetite . The animal's body is exhausted. The pet may also refuse water.
2. Infection . A cat can acquire other serious diseases through the entry of pathogens through breaks in the epidermis.
3. Rotting of the skin and damage to other organs . The prognosis for treatment after these changes is rarely favorable.

Important! If you do not treat an animal that is actively developing notoedrosis, it will quickly die.

A cat with advanced stages of notohedrosis

Symptoms of the disease

Symptoms of notohedrosis in cats are the following:

• severe itching, especially at night;
• scratching, injury to the skin;
• folded skin;
• thick yellowish-gray crusts on the affected areas;
• nodular formations;
• peeling of the skin;
• baldness, especially behind the ears, on the back of the head, the top of the neck and the lower parts of the cat's paws;
• thickening, roughening of the skin in areas infected with mites.

Sometimes the disease spreads to other parts of the animal’s body, the front and back surfaces of the paws, which is associated with contact when scratching due to severe itching. Since cats like to lie curled up in a ball, the perineal area may be affected. To make an accurate diagnosis, you need to take a scraping from the cat’s body and conduct a microscopic examination. The scraping reveals a large accumulation of mites. A history of contact with affected animals is also taken into account. Scraping is recommended to differentiate from other parasitic skin diseases of cats.

Young sick cats may experience general weakening of the body, leukocytosis and eosinophilia in blood tests. Almost half of them experience weight loss, poor appetite, and fever.

Diagnostics

Diagnosis of scabies in cats involves a number of stages:

1. Initial home inspection . The owner needs to assess the pet’s condition and identify the presence of all symptoms of the disease.
2. Initial examination by a specialist. The veterinarian examines the pet without the use of special laboratory equipment.
3. Laboratory research . The veterinarian takes a scraping from the cat's skin to examine it under a microscope.

Attention! Trial treatment also refers to diagnostic methods. It is especially relevant at the beginning of the development of the disease. Its essence is monitoring the cat’s condition during its treatment with standard medications.

Examination of scrapings from the skin of a cat

In most cases, diagnosing notohedrosis is a quick process, as the parasites are very easy to detect. It is especially easy to make an accurate diagnosis during the progression of the disease.

Rabies

Rabies is the most dangerous infectious disease of wild and domestic animals. The viral agent enters the body through bites (saliva and blood) when eating infected rodents. Then it quickly penetrates the nervous system, and the cat develops inflammation of the brain and spinal cord with irreversible consequences.

Symptoms of rabies appear 1-6 weeks after infection and vary depending on the form of development:

1. The violent form of the disease is characterized by a sharp change in the animal’s behavior (excessive activity, aggression, anxiety, followed by a state of complete apathy and another attack of rage). There is increased licking of the wound, difficulty swallowing, perverted appetite (eating inedible objects). The duration of the development of the disease takes up to 11 days, ending in paralysis and death.
2. The silent form is described as follows: obsessive cat behavior followed by anxiety; indigestion, vomiting blood, cough, drooling, diarrhea. Death occurs on the 4th day from paralysis of the pharynx.
3. The atypical form has similar symptoms, but the disease is characterized by a protracted nature (up to several months) with a fatal outcome.

Rabies in cats has no cure and is always fatal from suffocation or cardiac arrest.

Therefore, the most important thing in this situation is to isolate the suspicious animal, ensure the protection of all family members (carry out the necessary tests and examinations for infection), and also report this to the nearest veterinary clinic

All the described infectious diseases of cats pose a danger to their lives and offspring. However, modern veterinary medicine can significantly reduce the incidence of disease if owners seek qualified help in a timely manner and do not neglect vaccinating their four-legged friends.

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Treatment methods

Treatment of notoedrosis in cats is a scheme of several stages. Each of them has its own characteristics, which have a beneficial effect on the pet’s condition and prevent the progression of the disease. Before using medications, you should consult your veterinarian.

Before treatment, be sure to consult a veterinarian

Preparatory stage

In order for medications to be as effective as possible, several preparatory procedures need to be carried out:

1. Washing a cat with anti-seborrhea shampoo. This action is necessary to remove dead skin particles and disinfect it. Shampoo must be purchased in special stores with goods for animals.

   

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2. A haircut . The manipulation prevents the formation of wounds when removing matted hair from animals. It also makes it easier to apply topical medications. The procedure is especially necessary for cats with long hair.
3. Removing crusts with tweezers . Large dead skin particles should be removed to prevent the animal from biting or scratching itself. You need to act as carefully as possible so that the cat does not injure itself on the tweezers or bite a person in self-defense.

Places under which there was a crust must be treated with disinfectant compounds (potassium permanganate solution, etc.).

Local therapy

Topical products eliminate itching, act directly on mites, disinfect and improve the condition of the epidermis. The table shows drugs suitable for the treatment of notoedrosis and methods of their use.

Attention! When applying the compositions, you should avoid the mucous membranes and the oral cavity. Getting the medicine into your eyes is especially dangerous. If the medication gets into the mouth or eyes, it is necessary to rinse these areas of the pet.

Systemic therapy

Systemic treatment products are used only after consultation with a veterinarian, since their improper use is dangerous to the cat’s health. Before prescribing them, the specialist assesses the pet’s condition and determines the presence of possible contraindications.

Ivermectin is a suitable drug. It is used as an injection. The duration of the course and dose are determined by the veterinarian.

Step-by-step instructions for treating notohedrosis in cats

Adjuvant therapy

When a pet gets sick, its immunity is significantly reduced. To increase the protective properties of the body, the cat needs to be given balanced healthy food, vitamin and mineral complexes and feed sulfur.

If your cat is restless and constantly itching, you can help her with sedatives. A suitable medicine is Prednisolone. Directions for use: half a milligram per day. Course – 3 days.

Disinfection of the habitat

It is better to replace cat rugs and bedding. You can also wash them in hot water with disinfectants. Until your pet recovers completely, you need to wash the floors daily with water and insecticides. It is advisable to remove carpets.

Video - Subcutaneous mites in cats

Drugs

Aversectin ointment is very popular for notoedrosis - a drug that effectively eliminates tick-borne lesions. You should treat the affected areas with ointment using a medical spatula, and then repeat this procedure a week later.

Many veterinarians recommend using Stronghold drops to treat your pet. The main advantage of this remedy is that before destroying the parasite, the components of the drug paralyze the pest. This minimizes the risk of damage to the nervous and immune systems. However, the described product should not be used on kittens under six months of age.

Prevention

To avoid the occurrence of diseases in a cat, its relapses and complications, it is necessary to carry out a number of preventive manipulations:

1. Limitation of outdoor areas for walking . Do not let your pet near stray animals. This applies not only to cats, but also to dogs.
2. Limiting your pet’s contact with animals at exhibitions, etc. Do not assume that well-groomed pets rarely have ticks.
3. Using flea and tick control products . These include shampoos, collars and sprays. It is recommended to bathe the animal after street walks, using products with a mild disinfectant effect.

Once a year, the cat must be taken to the veterinarian for preventive maintenance.

Timely visits to the veterinarian are also preventive measures. It is necessary to show the animal to a specialist not only after detecting symptoms of the disease, but also at least once a year to prevent the development of diseases.