External parasites are among the most frequent reasons a cat is itchy, scaly or head-shaking. Fleas, mites, lice and ticks each have a recognisable pattern, and the treatment choice matters because cats are far more sensitive than dogs to several common insecticides.
Key facts
Parasites (external) at a glance- Species and system: cat; integumentary (skin, coat and ear canals).
- Most prevalent flea: Ctenocephalides felis, the cat flea, which also infests dogs (MSD Manual).
- Classic presentations: flea allergy dermatitis with miliary dermatitis; dark brown "coffee ground" ear debris with Otodectes; severe crusting of the face and ears with Notoedres; dorsal scale with Cheyletiella.
- Safety rule: permethrin and other pyrethroids are toxic to cats. Never use a dog flea or tick product on a cat.
- Zoonotic: Notoedres and Cheyletiella can cause itchy rashes in people; fleas carry Bartonella henselae, Rickettsia felis and Dipylidium caninum.
What's inside
13 sections in the full guide- Key facts
- How the NAVLE tests this
- Cause and pathophysiology
- Clinical signs
- Diagnosis
- Differential diagnoses
- Treatment and management
- Permethrin is toxic to cats
- Prevention, control and public health
- Prognosis
- Quick review
- Test yourself
- References
The full guide also has 5 tables, 2 figures, 3 self-test questions and 10 references, available to NAVLE members.
Read the full study guide
The full guide is part of every NAVLE plan, with diagnosis and treatment tables, figures, a quick review and self-test questions. Start a free trial to try the question bank, or log in if you are already a member.