Purrs In Our Hearts - Cat Forum UK
Cat Health & Behaviour => Health & Behaviour General => Topic started by: hels on January 31, 2008, 00:55:53 AM
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I'm looking after two feral kittens that i trapped at a depot which is part of the council where i work. This evening i was stroking one of them and noticed white/clear things in her fur. They are very small, kinda smaller than a pin head, and they are firmly stuck to her fur. When i got them I frontlined them both and I've just done it again,
I'm assuming they are lice but i've never seen anything like it before, does anyone else know what they are and if there is anything else i can do? I'm not very good with parasites (ie mention them and i'm scratching my skin off) so i'd like to get rid of them asap!
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if no one answers Hels, give the vet a quick ring. How old are the kittens?
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If it isn't flea eggs, maybe it's this? - I couldn't find anything else.
Cheyletiella Cat Parasite
Also known as walking dandruff, these parasitic mites infect all breeds of cats. They cause the formation of scales similar to dandruff as well as itchiness, inflammation, redness, and crusty patches. When present in large numbers, you may even be able to see the small white mites moving over the surface of the skin (hence the name walking dandruff.) If not treated properly, cheyletiella cat parasites can migrate inside the cat's body through the nasal passages. A variety of anti-parasitic formulations can be used to treat these mites, including selenium sulphide shampoo, pyrethrin dip, and lime sulphur dip. A natural remedy is sprinkling Diatomaceous Earth (an ingredient in Paratrex®) over the bedding and fur of the cat.
They can cause bad sores on people as well.
http://www3.unileon.es/personal/wwdmvjrl/dermatopatias/cheyletiella_3.jpg
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Hi Hels
Most definately sounds like Lice, the things you describe are the eggs which are very difficult to remove,its taken me a full 3 months to clear a feral mum and her kittens of the eggs even though they were killed off by the Frontline spray which I repeated every 5 weeks. You can try combing the eggs out but it does tend to pull the fur too.If you do comb wait at least 24 hours after frontline treatment.I left all my dead eggs to fall off naturally.
Lice are species specific so will not survive on you. :hug:
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i think it's what you said teresa and thanks for the reassurance that i cant get them!
i've been combing the kittens through today and got rid of some, the bad areas on beryl i have cut her fur to get rid of them. i know i shouldnt but it seemed like an easier idea and it was good bonding time for us!
will they get in the bedding and toys? they have clean bedding every week anyway
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Hels
Dont worry about the bedding and toys,as long as all your animals are kept up to date with Frontline the eggs are dead.They do look unsightly and I will admit to cutting fur off in the past,its only the cold weather that made me decide to leave things as they are for present litter and 3 months on the battle has been won.
Worthy of note, Spot on Frontline doesnt kill the eggs,it must be the Frontline Spray.
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yep if they were stuck fast sounds like nits, Cheyletiella is also known as walking dandruff coz thats what it looks like so doesnt sounds like that.
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oh rats i frontlined them with the drops, how long can i wait before using the spray on them?
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Don`t panic as soon as the eggs hatch the drops will kill them; best to check with vet re spraying them just to be safe. :hug:
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oh rats i frontlined them with the drops, how long can i wait before using the spray on them
I would think not for a month - 5 weeks unless advised otherwise by your vet of course.