How to treat a subcutaneous mite in a cat? - briefly
Administer a systemic acaricide such as ivermectin or selamectin at the veterinarian‑prescribed dose, and treat any secondary bacterial infection with appropriate antibiotics. Monitor the cat for skin lesions and perform follow‑up examinations to confirm parasite elimination.
How to treat a subcutaneous mite in a cat? - in detail
Subcutaneous mite infestations in felines require accurate diagnosis, targeted pharmacotherapy, and environmental control.
Clinical signs include alopecia, crusted lesions, pruritus, and occasional skin thickening. Diagnosis is confirmed by skin scrapings, deep biopsies, or PCR testing to identify the mite species, most commonly Notoedres cati or Demodex spp.
Therapeutic protocol:
- Systemic acaricides: Administer oral ivermectin (0.2 mg/kg once daily) or milbemycin oxime (0.5 mg/kg weekly) for a minimum of six weeks. Adjust dosage for hepatic or renal impairment.
- Topical treatments: Apply selamectin (6 mg/kg) or moxidectin (1 mg/kg) spot‑on formulation weekly for three applications. Ensure the product is labeled for feline use.
- Injectable options: Use doramectin (0.2 mg/kg) subcutaneously every two weeks for three doses when oral administration is contraindicated.
- Adjunctive therapy: Provide anti‑inflammatory medication such as prednisolone (0.5 mg/kg once daily) for severe pruritus, tapering after clinical improvement.
- Supportive care: Maintain skin hygiene with medicated shampoos containing chlorhexidine or benzoyl peroxide applied twice weekly.
Environmental measures:
- Wash bedding, blankets, and toys at ≥60 °C.
- Vacuum carpets and upholstery daily; discard vacuum bags after use.
- Treat all cohabiting animals with the same acaricidal regimen to prevent reinfestation.
Monitoring:
- Re‑evaluate lesions and perform repeat skin scrapings after three weeks of therapy.
- Continue treatment until two consecutive negative examinations are obtained.
- Record weight and hematological parameters monthly to detect potential drug toxicity.
Prevention focuses on regular parasite control, minimizing outdoor exposure, and routine veterinary examinations for early detection of mite infestations.