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External parasites in cats: how to prevent them?

In daily practice, one of the most frequent problems we encounter in our patients is the presence of external parasites. These hosts can cause discomfort in the animal and transmit deadly diseases, serving as vectors for various illnesses. In tropical countries like Brazil, the presence of ectoparasites is observed throughout the year, not just during the spring and summer months as seen in other countries. This makes it essential to incorporate prevention of external parasites into our health plans for feline patients to keep them protected year-round.

In this article, we will address the main ectoparasites in cats, emphasizing prevention and treatment, and providing effective solutions to keep felines free from these parasites.

Main External Parasites in Cats

The most common ectoparasites in cats are:

Fleas: While their adult stage is visible on the animal's fur, immature stages (larvae, pupae, and eggs) inhabit the environment and are responsible for reinfestations. Signs include constant scratching, skin lesions with crusts, and inflammation. Flea bites can lead to problems such as allergic dermatitis, secondary infections, and transmission of diseases like bartonellosis, rickettsiosis, mycoplasmosis, and dipylidiosis.

Ticks: Besides causing damage and inflammation at the bite site, ticks transmit other pathogenic organisms responsible for diseases such as ehrlichiosis, anaplasmosis, and babesiosis.

Mites: They cause certain types of mange in cats, such as otodectic and notoedric mange, resulting in itching and skin lesions that may lead to crusts or hair loss, particularly on the paws, neck, ears, and head.

External parasites not only affect cats but also infest the environments they inhabit, posing a risk to the entire family. Therefore, it is crucial to use parasiticides that allow us to protect not only the animals but also their living environments.

How to Prevent External Parasites in Cats?

Once again, prevention is the fundamental tool for avoiding infestation of external parasites in cats and protecting them from potential complications. Some preventive measures include:

Regular Parasite Treatments: Using flea and tick control products regularly and throughout the year is key to keeping cats free from ectoparasites. These treatments come in various forms such as spot-on treatments, collars, and sprays. Spot-on or pipette formulations offer long-lasting protection, ease of application, and safety for the animal.

Environmental Control: Educating owners about the importance of keeping the spaces where the cat spends time clean and disinfected, as well as maintaining the garden lawn short and weed-free, can reduce the presence of parasites in the environment. It's important to remember that immature stages reside in the environment and are responsible for reinfestations.

By implementing these preventive measures, we can significantly reduce the risk of external parasite infestations in cats and help maintain their health and well-being.

In conclusion

Preventing external parasites in cats through continuous deworming is essential to ensure their health and well-being.

It is the veterinarian's responsibility to educate pet owners about the importance of maintaining a regular prevention program and seeking veterinary care if an infestation is suspected.

With appropriate preventive measures and effective treatments, we can keep our feline patients free from external parasites and provide them with a better quality of life.