Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Treating Demodex gatoi mites in cats with imidacloprid and moxidectin
By Short, Jeanmarie & Gram, Dunbar·Published in Journal of the American Animal Hospital Association·2016·From Animal Allergy and Dermatology·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Successful Treatment of Demodex gatoi with 10% Imidacloprid/1% Moxidectin.
- Species:
- cat
Plain-English summary
A group of cats was brought in for severe itching and hair loss, with some showing red, irritated skin. Skin tests revealed that two of the cats had a type of mite called Demodex gatoi, which can spread between cats. To treat the problem, all the cats in the household received a weekly topical treatment of 10% imidacloprid/1% moxidectin for ten weeks. After the treatment, follow-up tests showed no more mites, and all the cats improved significantly.
People also search for: cat itching treatment · Demodex gatoi in cats · cat hair loss remedy · topical treatment for cat mites
Abstract
Demodex gatoi is a transmissible, short-bodied mite found in the stratum corneum of cats. It is known to cause moderate to intense pruritus, often manifested as self-induced alopecia and excoriations. 10% imidacloprid/1% moxidectin (a) is a monthly, topical solution indicated for the treatment and/or prevention of fleas, heartworms, intestinal parasites, and ear mites. A household of cats was presented for pruritus that ranged from mild to severe in 8 of the 13 felines. The most common clinical signs included miliary-type papular dermatitis and focal areas of erythema associated with alopecia. Multiple skin scrapings of each animal revealed Demodex gatoi mites in only two cats. Weekly topical administration of 10% imidacloprid/1% moxidectin was used on all cats in the household for a total of ten doses. Skin scrapings following treatment were negative, and all cats in the house improved. Based on the successful treatment of this small number of cats, weekly application of 10% imidacloprid/1% moxidectin should be considered for the clinical resolution of cats affected by D. gatoi.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26606209/