Cat Mites Symptoms

Cat mites can cause a lot of uneasiness, affecting the skin of the pet. The mites are parasites that feed on dander, blood and ear wax, depending on where they are located. The symptoms of cat mites can be easily detected, but these symptoms may often coincide with symptoms of some other skin diseases or internal problems. A vet needs to examine the cat and determine if the symptoms are indeed indicative of mites.

Frequent Scratching

Mites may be present on the cat's skin or in the ears. Regardless of their location, they cause severe itchiness. The cat will respond to this by scratching in the areas he has access to. Chewing the skin or biting the paws may also be among the symptoms, if the mites are located on the skin or in the paw area. The chewing, scratching and biting can be dangerous, as the cat can cause injuries. When licking the wounds, they can get infected with the bacteria present in the cat's saliva.

Head Shaking

Head shaking is a symptom of ear mites. The mites can affect the ears only, and the cat may paw the facial area, but will not be able to reduce the itchiness inside the ears, so he will frequently shake his head. This can be an issue, as the intensive head shaking can cause blood vessels to burst in the cat's head. This can in turn lead to the formation of a hematoma, which is a serious problem that may be fatal and needs surgery.

Flattened Ears

If the cat has flattened ears, this is another indication that he may have ear mites. The cat will scratch his ears and after a few days, these will have a flattened appearance. The ears will also be painful and the cat will not allow you to pat him in this area.

Bad Odor

The presence of mites can cause the skin or ears to have an unpleasant odor. This can be smelled even after the cat is bathed. The odor is due to the substances secreted by the mites.

Secondary Skin Infections

Secondary skin infections such as fungal or bacterial infections are common when the cat has mites. The mites disrupt the normal balance of the skin, so the yeast cells can overgrow. The constant scratching and licking of the skin can result in infecting the skin with bacteria that are present on the paws or in the pet's saliva.

Visible Mites

The mites can be visible, especially if they are located in the cat's ears. The mites are creamy white in color and there will also be feces produced by the mites, which are dark brown (ear wax mixed with blood). The cat will also produce excessive ear wax when mites are present.

Hair Loss

In advanced cases of mites, the cat may experience hair loss, which can be due to the licking, chewing or scratching of the skin.

 

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