feline demodicosis

Re: feline demodicosis

ilanit — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 19:36:41 GMT

thanks everyone for your input. I was supposed to see the cat today but the owner cancelled and should now be coming later on in the week. Unfortunately I'll be abroad myself but I've instructed my colleague to take general blood and FIV/Felv, rescrape and then probably start ivermectin. At the moment she's on synulox, malaseb, earcleanser and lacrobiotic eye ointment (and had stronghold at the clinic). The fungal culture came back negative.

Will let you know if there's anything interesting to report

Thanks again

Re: feline demodicosis

Bob Russell — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 17:23:38 GMT

Before stronghold came along I used to use ivomec s/c to treat ear mites and never had any side effects so I would be quite confident that there would not be a significant risk with it. I have, more recently used cydectin on occasions in cats with no issues.

Cascade is pretty irrelevant here as failure rates for demodex with Advocate are so well documented and as far as I know it is not licensed for demodex in cats anyway (IMHO pretty useless for ear mites as well).

As above would be worried about the immune system.

Re: feline demodicosis

Martin Atkinson — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 10:46:15 GMT

There are at least 2 forms of feline demodex - a long thin one which is thought to be commensal and a short fat one which is thought to be pathogenic. Maybe you need to determine which one you have. I would certainly rule out (or in) all other possible skin problems, concurrent illness and FIV/FeLV. Selenium sulphide (Seleen shampoo) has been mentioned as a treatment and may work because the mites are relatively superficial compared with dogs.

Re: feline demodicosis

Rob Loxley — Sat, 24 Jul 2010 23:26:23 GMT

[quote user="ilanit"]Not sure though what I should give for the demodex...[/quote]

Weekly lime sulphur?

Could try Advocate but given its success rate in dogs wouldn't hold my breath. Could try Frontline spray - has been suggested in very small puppies with Demodex.

Maybe speak to Intervet support about Aludex in cats, or maybe ivermectin (under cascade).

Antibiotics for concurrent pyoderma?

Re: feline demodicosis

ilanit — Sat, 24 Jul 2010 19:14:11 GMT

[quote user="robloxley"]

Have you also ruled-out coinfection with ringworm, which would just add to the poor cat's problems.

[/quote]

Thanks

Fungal culture results are pending at the moment. Meanwhile the owner is washing with malaseb. Will see the cat on Monday and will advise blood test. Not sure though what I should give for the demodex...

Re: feline demodicosis

Rob Reid — Sat, 24 Jul 2010 18:10:19 GMT

I think you definitely need to rule out all causes of immunosuppresion initially, I would prob do a full blood screen + FeLV/FIV as a starter. If that is ok I would go for skin biopsies next and make sure you get good deep samples.

Sounds an interesting case - let us know how you go!!

Re: feline demodicosis

Rob Loxley — Sat, 24 Jul 2010 16:24:17 GMT

Have you also ruled-out coinfection with ringworm, which would just add to the poor cat's problems.