Otite externa e dermatite facial associadas ao Demodex cati em gata – relato de caso

Abstract

Feline demodicosis is a parasitary dermatophathy that affects cats at a much lower frequency than the one observed in dogs. There are three species identified in felines: Demodex gatoi, Demodex cati and a third species unofficially called Demodex felis. Clinical signs are widely variable and seem to differ according to the individual species of mite involved. Diagnostic depends on mite identification upon microscopic examination of skin scrapings; Demodex gatoi may also be found in feces. The present article describes a case of localized feline demodicosis that occurred in the city of Foz do Iguaçu, Parana. The microscopic mite morphology and the clinical signs resembled those caused by Demodex cati. Despite being rare, it is important to include this disease in the differential diagnosis of feline skin diseases.