Veterinary Medicine - August 2008 - (Page 459)

14. Scaling on the dorsum of a cat with Demodex gatoi infection. evaluation of moderate to severe pruritus. Self-induced alopecia secondary to overgrooming may be noted. We have especially noted scaling on the dorsum and selfinduced alopecia on the forelimbs of cats with D. gatoi infection (Figures 14 & 15). Clinical signs of D. gatoi infection are indistinguishable from those of cats with allergic or psychogenic dermatologic conditions. Demodex gatoi infection caused pruritus in multiple cats in one household and, thus, may be contagious between cats.37 While this mite was initially reported to have a geographic focus in the southern United States, unpublished reports of D. gatoi infection occurring in other areas of the country exist. Consider D. gatoi infection a differential diagnosis in any pruritic cat. Cats with feline demodicosis can be coinfected with both species of Demodex mites, and, in one such case, a cat had feline immunode ciency virus (FIV) infection.38 Clinical signs included alopecia, pruritus, crusting, scaling, erythema, and papules. Conduct a full physical examination, obtain a careful patient history, and perform laboratory tests (complete blood count, serum chemistry pro le, microscopic fecal examination, feline leukemia virus and FIV testing) in all cats with demodicosis. Just as in dogs, both systemic and topical immunosuppressive therapies can trigger demodicosis in cats, especially in cases involving D. cati. Obtain a thorough drug history with special attention to glucocorticoid use from the client. 15. Patchy alopecia on the forelimb of a cat with Demodex gatoi infection. are less susceptible to self-grooming and, thus, mite removal. Acetate tape preparations can also be used to detect D. gatoi. Regardless of the type of mite, always sample multiple sites. Because of the grooming behavior of cats, Demodex species mites may also be found on fecal examination. Especially in cases in which D. gatoi is suspected, it may be helpful to perform skin scrapings on other cats in the household since asymptomatic cats may be less likely to remove this potentially contagious mite from the skin as a result of overgrooming. Diagnosis Multiple deep skin scrapings are recommended to detect the hair-follicle-dwelling D. cati mites. The skin scraping technique is similar to that for D. canis. Super cial skin scrapings can be used to detect the super cial mite D. gatoi. Scrapings obtained with broad strokes enable the evaluation of the largest surface area for D. gatoi. Demodex gatoi mites may be easier to nd in samples from the lateral forelimbs and the intrascapular region, possibly because these areas VETERINARY MEDICINE August 2008 459 http://www.nonin.com http://www.nonin.com

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Veterinary Medicine - August 2008 Contents Editors' Note Leading Off ClinQuiz Idea Exchange Practical Matters Diagnosing and Treating Canine Copper-Associated Hepatopathies Canine and Feline Demodicosis CE Form Advertiser Index Product Preview Marketplace/Classifieds Mind Over Miller

Veterinary Medicine - August 2008

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