What does a xylophagous mite look like on a cat? - briefly
The mite is a minute, translucent, oval‑shaped creature, typically 0.2–0.5 mm long, resembling a speck of dust on the cat’s fur. It may be seen crawling slowly across the coat, especially in areas where wood fragments or nesting material are present.
What does a xylophagous mite look like on a cat? - in detail
The organism that feeds on wood and may be found on felines is a microscopic arachnid, typically measuring 0.2–0.5 mm in length. Its body consists of two main sections: the gnathosoma, which houses the mouthparts, and the idiosoma, which contains the legs and sensory structures. The gnathosoma appears as a small, rounded projection near the anterior edge of the idiosoma, often indistinguishable without magnification.
The idiosoma is oval to slightly elongated, covered by a smooth, translucent cuticle that may acquire a faint brownish tint when engorged with digested wood particles. Four pairs of short legs emerge from the ventral side, each ending in tiny claws that enable the mite to grasp individual hairs. Leg segments are clearly demarcated, with the first pair slightly longer than the others, facilitating locomotion through dense fur.
Visible signs on a cat include:
- Small, moving specks that resemble dust particles, most often observed on the neck, back, and tail regions where fur is dense.
- Tiny, pale or yellowish spots where the mite aggregates, sometimes forming a faint line along the hair shaft.
- Localized irritation manifested as mild scratching or a fine, dry crust if the mite’s excrement accumulates.
Under a stereomicroscope, the following characteristics aid identification:
- Rounded gnathosoma positioned at the front of the idiosoma.
- Four pairs of legs with distinct segments and terminal claws.
- Transparent cuticle with occasional internal pigment when fed.
- Absence of eyes; sensory organs are located on the dorsal surface as small setae.
The mite’s movement is slow, characterized by a crawling gait rather than jumping, which distinguishes it from flea larvae. Its presence does not typically cause severe dermatological issues, but heavy infestations may lead to secondary bacterial infection due to continuous irritation. Proper diagnosis requires microscopic examination of plucked hair samples or skin scrapings.