| External parasites live on a cats skin. They not | | | | shampoo should be used as recommended by a |
| only cause irritation, but sometimes carry other | | | | veterinarian. The cats environment should also be |
| diseases. As you groom your cat, examine its | | | | treated. In many instances humans are also |
| coat for any evidence of parasites. You want to | | | | affected. Treatment by a physician is |
| look carefully for these parasites and see your | | | | recommended. |
| vet if you find anything unusual. Sometime your | | | | Ear mites are one of the most common ear |
| cat will scratch to tip you off - othertimes there | | | | problems in cats. The mites live on the surface of |
| might be no telltale signs of infection. | | | | the skin and pierce the skins surface to feed, |
| Lice are rare in cats and do not spread to | | | | causing considerable inflammation and discomfort. |
| humans. Serious infection usually occurs because | | | | The skin-piercing is accompanied by an |
| cats are poorly nourished, neglected and live in | | | | accumulation of dark brown granular material |
| unsanitary conditions. Infected cats should be | | | | composed of dried blood and wax within the ear |
| isolated and treated with any of a number of | | | | canal. |
| commercial products in the form of dips, sprays | | | | Scratching the ears, head shaking and brown |
| or shampoos. Be certain the label states that the | | | | debris inside the ear are signs of ear mites. If left |
| product is safe for cats. Always read and follow | | | | untreated, ear mites cause serious problems such |
| label directions. Because lice do not live long off | | | | as secondary bacterial infections, torn and bleeding |
| the host, a single thorough cleaning of the cats | | | | ear tissues resulting from excessive scratching, |
| environment should be adequate. Discard vacuum | | | | and, in extreme cases, loss of hearing. |
| cleaner bags and cleaning rags. | | | | Cats who spend considerable time outdoors have |
| Mange is a general term for parasitic diseases | | | | a greater incidence of mites than those housed |
| caused by any of several microscopic mites. Signs | | | | inside. Young kittens can get mites from their |
| of mange include excessive shedding, fur loss in | | | | mother. Although mites are not transmitted to |
| patches and bald spots around the eyes, nose or | | | | people, they can be transmitted to other |
| ears. A veterinarian should diagnose and treat a | | | | household pets. For all mite infections, your |
| mange infestation as soon as possible. | | | | veterinarian can provide diagnosis and effective |
| Cheyetialla mites produce an extensive dry, scaly | | | | treatment. |
| dust suggestive of dandruff. Other signs include a | | | | Taking your cat to the vet on a regular basis can |
| rash and itching. An affected cat should be | | | | help prevent or treat these pesky cat parasites. |
| isolated from other pets. A dip, powder or | | | | |