FC-43 Feline demodicosis: a retrospective study of 12 cases

Feline demodicosis is rarely reported compared to canine demodicosis. The objective of this report was to describe a retrospective study of 12 cases of feline demodicosis. Neither sex nor breed predisposition were observed. The age of diagnosis was between 5 months and 13 years. Demodex cati was identified in nine cases and Demodex gatoi in three cases. Cutaneous lesions were localized in 10 cases, generalized in two cases, and present on the face (8 cases), neck (5), shoulders (1), trunk (2) and limbs (1). Pruritus was mild in four cats and moderate in two cats. Dermatological lesions were characterized by alopecia (10 cases), erythema (7), scaling (4), erosions (4), ulcers (2), crusts (2), comedones (2), seborrhea oleosa (2), papules (1), pustules (1) and hyperpigmentation (1). Ceruminous otitis was noted in two cats. Pyoderma was noted in four cases. An underlying disease was identified in eight cats: FeLV infection (two cats), FIV infection (two cats), FeLV/FIV infections (one cat), diabetes mellitus (one cat), iatrogenic Cushing's syndrome (one cat), and diabetes mellitus associated with iatrogenic Cushing's syndrome (one cat). In two cats, an infestation by Demodex cati was identified at lesional sites of multicentric squamous cell carcinoma in situ. Different drugs were used in nine cases: crotamiton (two cases), amitraz (six cases), milbemycin oxime (one case). Therapeutic results were variable and related to the underlying disease.

Funding: Self-funded.