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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: - Skin scrapings
- Flea combings
- Acetate tape preparations
- Mites & or eggs may also be found in fecal samples
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.
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