Abstract: Aim: The present study aimed to describe the clinical presentation, diagnostic workup, and treatment outcomes in six cats that were positive for Notoedres cati.
Study design: A clinical case study describing the diagnosis and therapeutic management of Notoedres cati in felines.
Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted at Veterinary Clinical Complex, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad, and the case management and follow-up were carried out over a period of28 days.
Methodology: Asix months to two -year-old cats were presented with alopecia, varying degrees of pruritus, erythema, crusty lesions, over the face, neck, ear margins. On clinical examination temperature, respiratory rate, pulse rate, heartrate were within the normal range. Hematobiochemical changes noticed were Eosinophils and Neutrophils. Deep and superficial skin scrapings were taken from the edges of active lesions. Affected animals on microscopic examination confirmed the presence of Notoedres cati with characteristics feature of round body, short legs, ‘thumb print’-like dorsal striations and dorsal anus position. All the affected animals were treated with ivermectin injection, multivitamin and multimineral syrup.
Results: The cats exhibited marked improvement following the second dose of ivermectin, and full recovery was achieved after the fourth treatment, with no adverse affects were noticed during the treatment period.
Conclusion: Early diagnosis and prompt treatment with appropriate acaricidal therapy, such as ivermectin, ensure rapid recovery. Owing to its zoonotic potential, the parasite poses a health risk to humans in close contact with infested animals, leading to transient pruritic lesions. Therefore, timely veterinary intervention, good hygiene, and effective control measures in multi-cat environments are essential to safeguard both animal and public health.
