Vlasoyed in cats: signs of trichodectosis and its danger to humans, features of diagnosis and treatment
Cats are susceptible to ectoparasites: most often they are attacked by fleas and ticks. But these are not the only pests that an animal can suffer from. Vlas-eaters in domestic cats are a rare phenomenon, more often they settle on street, poorly groomed four-legged animals. But sometimes those animals that never walk on the street also suffer from them.
Content
- What are lice
- What are dangerous withers
- Transmission routes and risk factors
- Feature of the disease
- Symptoms of an ectoparasite infection in a cat
- Diagnosis at home and in the veterinary clinic
- Therapies
- Care for a sick animal
- Consequences of inaction or improper treatment
- Prevention of infection with lice
- Difference from flea and lichen infestation
What are lice
Vlasoyed - representatives of the detachment of lice. In many ways, they are similar to scabies mites, but unlike them, they do not penetrate the skin and live exclusively on wool.
What are dangerous withers
Parasites do not penetrate the skin and their bites are not as painful as flea bites. In the early stages, the symptoms of infection are not pronounced, so the owners often do not pay attention to the pet's changed behavior. If you do not start pest control in a timely manner, the consequences of infection can be serious.
Transmission routes and risk factors
Cats become infected with trichodectosis through direct contact with an infected animal: in games, fights, mating, etc. Also, the transmission of the pathogen is possible through the personal belongings of animals: bedding, slicker, towel, combs. Kittens most often become infected with lice from a sick mother.
In addition, there are certain risk factors for trichodectosis:
- immunodeficiency, "feline AIDS";
- young or old age;
- high humidity in the room;
- malnutrition;
- poor pet hygiene;
- outbreaks in autumn and winter.
Feature of the disease
Trichodectosis is not dangerous in itself, the bites of the withers are not as painful as fleas. For this reason, the owners do not attach importance to the symptoms and do not realize the danger of its consequences. However, the disease has serious complications and can harm human health.
Symptoms of an ectoparasite infection in a cat
As a rule, the owner notices the infection of the pet when the parasites are already actively attacking it and the symptoms are hard to miss. Typical signs of trichodectosis in cats include:
- The cat constantly itches, outwardly it looks like she is trying to gnaw something out of her skin. Wounds and scratches appear on the body.
- Loss of appetite, deterioration in general well-being.
- Untidy appearance of wool: disheveled, oily sheen, the appearance of dandruff particles;
- Partial hair loss. First of all, alopecia occurs behind the ears, on the hips and tail. On bald areas, the skin swells, acquires a red tint.
- Sleep disturbance, distraction, restless behavior.
Diagnosis at home and in the veterinary clinic
For the diagnosis of "trichodectosis" no special laboratory tests are required. Each owner who suspects the appearance of ectoparasites in a cat can confirm or refute his assumptions at home.
For diagnosis, the animal must be placed under a lamp or bright sunlight for 10-15 minutes. Vlas-eaters love warmth, so they will definitely move to the surface of the wool.
At this point, you need to use a magnifying glass and compare the detected parasites with the image in the photo. The method will allow to differentiate lice from fleas and ticks.
But even if there is no doubt that the cat is infected with lice, it is still worth visiting the veterinarian. The specialist will determine the stage of the disease and select a treatment regimen taking into account the individual characteristics of the animal.
Therapies
There are many effective methods of treatment of trichodectosis. With timely therapy, the disease is easily cured and complications such as dermatitis and allergies can be avoided. When choosing a remedy, it is necessary to be guided by such factors as the age and degree of damage to the animal.
| process | Application |
|---|---|
| Drops | Antiparasitic agents have an insecticidal effect, are toxic to animals and humans. Therefore, they should be applied in those places where the cat cannot lick off: the withers, the area along the spine, the head. The liquid is evenly distributed over the skin and gently rubbed. The therapeutic effect of the drops lasts for a month. |
| Emulsion | In terms of composition and principle of action, emulsions are similar to drops, but differ in the form of release: they are a concentrate, on the basis of which it is necessary to make a solution for processing. The method of application is the same as for drops. |
| Spray | Spray is the most convenient way to treat an animal. To get the desired effect from the drug, you need to treat the coat completely, and then gently rub the drug with massage movements. The spray must dry, it must not be allowed to lick off. Complete drying takes about 30 minutes, for this period you can put on a special collar for the cat. |
| Shampoo | Shampoo is the safest way to deal with lice, but its effectiveness is lower than other means. Pediculosis shampoo can be used for prevention or as part of the complex therapy of trichodectosis. The animal is bathed, lathering the coat completely and avoiding contact of the foam with the eyes and other mucous membranes. |
| Ampoules | The active substances of such preparations have an insecticidal and acaricidal effect. The contents of the ampoule are diluted with water according to the instructions and rubbed into the skin of the animal in those places where it cannot lick it off. |
| Collar | Collars also have an insecticidal effect and protect against almost all types of ectoparasites. As a rule, their validity period is about 3 months. The tool has a significant drawback - it causes allergic reactions. |
Folk remedies for lice
There are several recipes for dealing with lice at home.
All methods are gentle, suitable for kittens and weakened cats. However, it is advisable to use them only at an easy stage, when the invasion has not yet acquired a massive character.
Folk remedies include herbal decoctions, essential oils in the composition of the plants listed below inhibit parasites and help them leave the cat's body.
Mix a tablespoon of string with 0,5 liters. water. Boil the mixture for 10 minutes, then strain and cool to room temperature.
Mix a tablespoon of celandine with a glass of water. Hold for 15 minutes in a water bath, and then insist in a warm place for 1 hour. After that, cool the broth and strain.
Mix 2 teaspoons of chamomile with 200 ml. water. Boil the mixture for 5 minutes, then leave for half an hour in a warm place, then cool to room temperature and strain.
In order to get rid of parasites, you will have to bathe the cat at least 5-6 times.
Care for a sick animal
A cat infected with lice is advised to wear an Elizabethan collar to prevent licking of toxic preparations. In addition, when caring for a sick animal, the following recommendations should be followed:
- thoroughly clean the premises with disinfectants;
- steam the pet's things: bedding, scratching post;
- treat toys and slickers with insecticidal preparations;
- timely treat the wounds with an antiseptic, if the skin lesions are extensive, a sterile bandage should be applied;
- provide a complete, balanced diet.
Consequences of inaction or improper treatment
Many owners underestimate the seriousness of trichodectosis and leave the symptoms of the disease unattended or self-medicate. This is fraught with serious consequences:
- Infection with helminths, such as cucumber tapeworm, bartonella, rickettsia. Worm infestation is a common complication of trichodectosis.
- Weakened immunity and exacerbation of existing chronic diseases.
- Extensive damage to the skin as a result of constant scratching and, as a result, the addition of secondary infections;
- Miliary dermatitis or "cat's scab" is a small hardening, the skin under which turns red and inflamed.
- Exhaustion of the body, the development of anemia. The occurrence of allergic reactions.
- Deterioration of the appearance of wool, baldness.
Prevention of infection with lice
An effective and affordable preventive measure is the wearing of special protective collars. Manufacturers position the product as a means of protection against ticks, but they are not effective enough against them, but they perfectly repel lice and fleas.
Wearing a collar is recommended during the seasons of peak activity of withers: in autumn and winter.
It is also recommended to use other preventive measures:
- periodically inspect the pet's coat for the presence of ectoparasites (for this, the cat must be placed under natural or artificial lighting);
- exclude contacts of the animal with homeless, stray cats;
- monitor the cleanliness of the bedding, regularly treat it with special disinfectants;
- carry out preventive treatments of wool with the help of folk remedies, shampoos.
Difference from flea and lichen infestation
Symptoms of infection with lice are similar to other invasions, but have a number of features:
- lice are very devoted to their master, even after drinking blood they never leave his body;
- the structure of the oral apparatus of parasites does not allow them to gnaw through the skin and suck blood, they feed on plasma only when the animal itself breaks the skin;
- parasitize only on the hairline, which facilitates the fight against them.