Ollulanus tricuspis, a common parasitic Trichostrongyle nematode of the cat stomach, is also found in the fox and occasionally, the pig[1]. It lives in the stomach and the first inch or so of the small intestine[2]. Adult worms live in the stomach and may burrow into the gastric mucosa. The eggs hatch while in the female and develop to […]

Unlike Heartworm disease caused by Dirofilaria immitis and D. repens, a more rare filarial worm Dipetalonema reconditum differs in primarily infecting the subcutaneous regions of the cat rather than the heart. Historically, confusion arose in dogs when blood tests used to visualise the presence of larval stages (microfilaria) could not distinguish between these two filarid worm. D. reconditum is relatively harmless to cats […]

Nematodes (roundworms) are the most common parasites of cats and include: Parasite Order Location in cat Geographical distribution Abbreviata gemina Physalopteroidea stomach, small intestine Europe, Africa Aelurostrongylus abstrusus Metastrongyloid lungs Worldwide Anatrichosoma spp Enoplida skin Asia, Africa Ancylostoma braziliense Strongyloidea small intestine Worldwide Ancylostoma ceylanicum Strongyloidea small intestine Worldwide Ancylostoma tubaeforme Strongyloidea small intestine Worldwide Aonchotheca putorii […]

Ear mites, caused by Otodectes cynotis is a common parasite of cats, resulting in the skin disease otitis externa. Infection is normally attributed to cat’s habit of lying in warm wood shavings under trees, where the mites normally live. Otodectes infection is relatively contagious due to cat’s proclivity of sleeping together.   Diagnosis Mites are usually found deep in the external […]

This is a fairly common disease in Australia. Notoedric mange, caused by Notoedres cati, is the scabby, scaly, skin disease known as head mange. Notoedres mites are closely related to Sarcoptic mange mites of dogs and thus the two infections have some similarity. Both conditions typically begin with itchy crusts and scales an the ear margins. […]

Paronychia is an inflammatory/infectious skin disease of the nailbeds, and commonly seen in Devon rex, Cornish rex and Selkirk rex breeds. There may be a genetic predisposition between the Rex breeds and paronychia, seborrhea and malasezzia-induced otitis externa. Although paronychia appears to be a breed related disease, there is an underlying infection attributable to Malasezzia pachydermatitis and gram negative bacteria. Various bacteria have been isolated […]

Malassezia spp are normal commensal yeast of skin and mucosa in cats[1]. Malasezzia spp yeast can result in feline paronychia, seborrhoeic dermatitis in the Sphinx, generalized dermatitis and paronychia in the Devon rex and otitis externa in most breeds of cats[2]. It is also seen associated with idiopathic facial dermatitis in Persianand Himalayan breeds[3]. Species of Malassezia which affect cats are M. pachydermatis (most common), M. obtusa, M. globosa, M. slooffiae, M. sympodialis, M. furfur and M. restricta. Interestingly, M. nana appears to […]

Funguses commonly cause superficial skin diseases in cats but are responsible for severe and often fatal systemic infections. The most common and least pathogenic fungus which affects cats is Microsporum canis, causing Ringworm. Other fungi are cultured included Aspergillus spp, Penicillium spp, Cladosporium spp, Scopulariopsis spp and lipophilic yeasts of the genus Malassezia spp. Paronychia is usually caused by Malassezia spp yeast. Cats infected with FIV or FeLV may have a greater diversity […]

Superficial pyoderma is defined as an infection confined to the epidermis of the skin. It encompasses feline diseases such as acne and juvenile pustular dermatitis, as well as superficial folliculitis. Superficial pyoderma are under-recognised in cats, probably because of the variant forms which it presents clinically, compared to the more classic signs in dogs. The predominant lesion types […]

Superficial juvenile pustular dermatitis is superficial pyoderma of cats caused by Pasteurella multocida and various beta-hemolytic streptococci. No underlying cause has been identified[1]. Although P. multocida can cause infections to humans via bite wounds from cats, it primarily causes skin infections on cats. Dermatological signs are characterised by non-follicular pustules associated with epidermal collarettes, mainly on the dorsum and trunk. Systemic […]