|
Overview: Cheyletiellosis (also known as
walking dandruff) is a highly contagious skin disease cause
by the Cheyletiellosis mite. Cats
are most commonly infected with Cheyletiella
blakei. Young cats are more often
infected although cats of any age can have these mites.
The mites live out
their entire life cycle (approximately 30 days) on the cat, living on the skin
surface keratin. They occasionally burrow their head pincers (known as
chelicerae) into the skin & feed on tissue fluids.
How is Cheyletiellosis
transmitted?
Transmission occurs via direct
contact with an infected animal. Adult mites can survive for up to 2 days off
the host, so it is possible for your cat to become infected from the
environment.
Symptoms of Cheyletiellosis:
-
Itching (although not all cats
exhibit this symptom)
-
Excessive scaling/dandruff
-
Hair thinning or loss
-
Crusting or miliary dermatitis
along the back
Often the mites can be seen moving
around, hence the name 'walking dandruff'.
Diagnosis of Cheyletiellosis:
Your veterinarian will perform a
complete physical examination of your cat & obtain a medical history. Mites
may be seen on the cat with the aid of a magnifying glass.
Your veterinarian may also perform
the following tests:
Treatment of Cheyletiellosis:
There are several ways to tackle
Cheyletiellosis, your veterinarian will recommend the best treatment.
-
Weekly dipping with either
lime sulfur or pyrethrin for 6
- 8 weeks. Long haired cats may need to be clipped.
-
Ivermectin has not been
approved for use in cats but is successful in eliminating Cheyletiellosis.
-
The environment will also need
to be treated with a suitable insecticide
Can humans become infested
with Cheyletiellosis?
Yes. Skin lesions have been
reported in humans. [1]
References:
[1] The Cornell
Book of Cats - Faculty, Staff & Associates Cornell Feline Health
Center. Edited by Mordecai Siegal.
|
