Notoedrosis

Notoedrosis is also known as feline scabies. The disease is provoked by mites, which penetrate into the deep layers of the animal's skin by gnawing their way through the epidermis. This is due to the main symptom of the pathology - severe itching. The area of lesion of the dermis directly depends on the degree of neglect of the situation, the size of the mite colony.

What is notoedrosis, causes of the disease in dogs, cats

Notoedrosis refers to a group of parasitic diseases. It is provoked by mites of the Notoedres cati type. Microorganisms fall on the animal's coat, then penetrate the skin. The life cycle of the parasite is from 6 to 8 weeks in the body of the cat. During this period, the female lays up to 50 eggs, which mature into adults in about 18 days.

The mite belongs to the category of species-specific, that is, it reproduces only on cats, but dogs, rodents, as well as humans can be infected. In this case, the parasite provokes the so-called "pseudo-scabies". The parasite is characterised by high contagiousness, i.e. infection of contact individuals occurs very quickly.

The main route of transmission of Notoedres cati is contact. It is an obligate parasite and does not live long outside the host. However, infection from the environment is possible, if a sick animal has recently been in the area, as well as care items (combs, feeders, litter trays, etc.). The mite spreads especially quickly in crowded conditions (e.g. in cat shelters or catteries).

Symptoms and diagnostic methods

The very first symptom of the lesion is severe itching, then at the site of combing appear foci of alopecia (bald spots), vesicular rashes (papules), crusts on the skin. The disease begins with the dermis of the head, then passes to the neck, forelimbs, in rare cases - on the hind legs.
Without treatment, notoedrosis provokes in cats such complications as:

purulent conjunctivitis;

swelling of the eyelids;

narrowing of the nostrils, with subsequent respiratory distress;

thickening, drying, cracking of the skin;

accession of secondary infection (viral, fungal, bacterial).

Since the mite reproduces only on cats, in dogs and humans it provokes a local reaction to the parasite saliva in the form of itching, hyperaemia (redness) at the bite site. All symptoms in dogs, as a rule, pass independently, within 30 days. During this time, they are carriers of the mite, dangerous to others (especially cats).

Notoedres cati is a microscopic life form, so it is impossible to detect the parasite on your own. This can only be done by a veterinarian based on:

anamnesis (information about symptoms, possible contacts with affected animals);

microscopy (examination of superficial scrapings from the skin surface);

dermatohistopathology (examination of the epidermis for the presence of mite fragments).

Differentiate notoedrosis with:

ear parasite infestation;

dermatophytosis;

demodecosis.

Also, the doctor must exclude the possibility of autoimmune dermatological pathologies, allergic reaction to insect bites, food, other provoking factors.

Treatment of the disease in pets

When the cat is diagnosed with notoedrosis, the animal is prescribed optimal treatment. The pet should be isolated from healthy animals, as well as family members. It is desirable that the care of the cat is carried out by someone alone, observing all hygienic precautions.

Depending on the course of the disease in complex therapy can be used:

injections of acaricidal preparations are used only if it is impossible to use external means;

external agents (Dana Ultra, Prazicid Complex);

corticosteroids to reduce itching (Stop Itch);

antibiotics in case of secondary infection.

Note: The names of the medicines are for information purposes. Any medication should only be given to the cat if prescribed by a veterinarian.

Once a week it is desirable to bathe the cat with antiseborrheic shampoo to soften crusts with further treatment with external solutions. The drug Dekta-forte from the company Apcenna has proved itself well. It reliably destroys the parasite deep in the skin, instantly relieves itching, thanks to the presence of lidocaine, acts as a local anaesthetic, reduces discomfort, and prevents the development of bacterial flora.