Mites are small pests that belong to the arachnid family. Cats can be affected by various types of mites, which live either in the fur, on or in the skin, and in the ear area, causing severe itching. In addition, a mite infestation always carries the risk of transmission to humans, meaning that it is a zoonosis.
As their name suggests, these mites are primarily found in the ear region of cats, where they feed on cell material and tissue fluid from the skin. They cause inflammation of the ear canal and increased production of earwax. This condition, known as ear mites, is characterized by blackish-brown, crumbly, coffee grounds-like deposits in the ears, which contain both the mites and their eggs. Infected animals suffer from severe itching in the ear, which can lead to tilting of the head and sometimes violent shaking. Some cats appear completely uncoordinated. The ear mite itself can be seen with the naked eye as a black, moving dot.
Since these mites are not host-specific, meaning they can also infest other animal species, all other animals living in the household should always be examined and treated. Half of all ear infections in cats are caused by ear mites, with young animals being particularly affected. Infection occurs mainly through direct contact between animals. Ear mites are harmless to humans.
This mite, which is particularly common in cats, lives in the top layer of the skin of affected animals, where it burrows tunnels to lay its eggs. The mites and their developmental stages feed on lymph and tissue fluid. The consequences are severe itching with sometimes massive crusty, scaly skin changes, which usually begin on the ears and head, which is why the disease is also known as head mange. The itching is caused not only by the parasite itself, but also by allergic reactions to the mite's saliva and feces. As the disease progresses, the skin changes quickly spread to the paws and the entire body. Secondary bacterial infections often occur through open skin wounds. In severe cases, general symptoms such as apathy (indifference) and weight loss may occur in addition to the skin changes.
Infection with these mites is highly contagious and is transmitted primarily through direct contact between animals. However, these mites can survive in the environment for up to three days, so infection via contaminated objects is also possible.
Demodex mites are found in small numbers in the normal skin flora of most animals, but are relatively rare in cats. In animals with a weakened immune system, hair follicle mites can multiply rapidly and cause symptoms of disease. This includes cats suffering from conditions such as diabetes, cancer, FeLV (leukemia) or the immune deficiency virus FIV.
Demodex mites live in the hair follicles and, depending on the severity of the infestation, can cause skin inflammation, dandruff, scabs, and hair loss, primarily in the face and eye area (known as "spectacle formation") or generalized skin changes.
The autumn grass mite is a small yellow to rust-red mite that mainly occurs in spring to late summer. Cats and other animals are only infested by their larvae, which are found in tall grass and migrate to the animal from there. An infestation with autumn grass mites is therefore usually limited to areas of the body close to the ground, such as the paws, chest, and abdomen. It is accompanied by extremely severe itching. However, the infestation is not contagious, meaning that grass mite larvae are not transmitted from animal to animal. You can find more information on autumn grass mites in the corresponding article.
These mites live in the cat's fur and feed on skin flakes and tissue fluid. They are large enough to be easily recognized as whitish dots that look like "wandering dandruff." A fur mite infestation can lead to varying degrees of itching, flaky skin, and eczema. The animals infect each other with the mites.
If your cat is suffering from severe itching and skin changes, take them to a vet as soon as possible, as even symptoms that are harmless at first can quickly worsen due to constant scratching and licking.
Due to the often very characteristic skin changes and severe itching, the treating veterinarian will be able to make a preliminary diagnosis after a general examination. Some mites are large enough to be seen with the naked eye, while others are so small that the veterinarian must take a skin or hair sample and examine it under a microscope to determine the exact type of mite.
The primary goal of treatment is to kill the mites. Your veterinarian has various medications available for this purpose, which are also used against ticks and fleas. Special ointments or shampoos help to soothe the inflamed areas of skin. Your veterinarian will prescribe special preparations to treat ear mite infestations. These can be administered directly into your cat's ear. Please refrain from cleaning your cat's ears yourself with cotton swabs or similar items. Cat ears should be cleaned by a specialist to avoid injury. Skin or ear changes are treated with anti-inflammatory medications depending on their severity.
Treat your cat's basket and bedding with a commercially available mite spray. Wash all washable items at over 60 degrees Celsius.
IMPORTANT: Be careful if you have cats and dogs in the same household. Some products approved for dogs are toxic to cats. These should therefore only be used on dogs. Even accidental contact with products intended for dogs can be dangerous for cats.
With appropriate and consistent treatment, there is a good chance of a complete cure. If left untreated, a mite infestation can also lead to serious disorders of general health and, in rare cases, even death.
Did you dream of galloping along the beach on horseback when you were a child? Day trips through the heath, maybe even a challenging week-long course with a renowned trainer – what a wonderful vacation with our four-legged friend. Especially since it's not always easy to find a suitable holiday replacement for your horse who will take care of your beloved animal in your absence the way you want them to. So why not take your faithful partner with you on vacation and make your dream of a horse vacation come true? To ensure that the adventure goes as smoothly as possible, you should make the necessary preparations.
Rabbits are very intelligent animals and are perfectly capable of following instructions or performing small exercises. If it doesn't work, it's usually due to a lack of patience or insufficient knowledge on the part of the humans. So, take heart! With loving perseverance, you're sure to succeed. Here are a few tips for successful training.
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They purr, wrap themselves around us, and are small and cute. Cats can be very quiet and gentle. But they can also be very different: cats kill when necessary with a few well-aimed bites. A cat's teeth are a weapon.
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When keeping horses, we as owners are constantly challenged to consider what might be best for our horses. One positive development in horse husbandry is that more and more stables are trying to offer conditions that meet horses' natural needs for sufficient free movement and contact with other horses. However, keeping horses exclusively in groups, such as in an open or active stable, may not be the best option for every horse, especially in the case of stallions or older horses with special needs. It is up to us to decide on the best form of care for each individual horse and to create the best conditions for them. One aspect of this is the choice of bedding in the stall or the lying area of our horse.
