How to Get Rid of Persian Fur Mites
Persian cats are considered one of the most popular breeds in the United States. They have medium to long hair, sometimes reaching as long as 5 inches. Persian cats need to be brushed daily and groomed monthly. Due to their long hair, skin infections and fur mites can go unnoticed until they start losing their hair and/or their behavior changes.
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Instructions
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Analyze the behavior of your Persian cat. Take notice if your pet is scratching more than usual or seems uncomfortable and agitated. Persian cats tend to be mellow and calm most of the time, enabling you to see a change in their behavior rather quickly. Persian cats with fur mites may lick their fur to groom themselves more frequently, trying to remove the mites. Fur mites cause irritation on the skin, making the cat scratch and lick.
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Examine your Persian cat for fur mites. Gently pull the hairs apart (particularly on the back of the neck and along the back) and analyze the skin, looking for patches of dry, scaly skin. These mites are no larger than .5 mm long, but they can be seen with a magnifying glass. Fur mites are flat and white or yellow, appearing like dandruff. They can hide very well in the hairs of the Persian cat. Take your pet to the veterinarian for a final examination. Once it's determined your Persian has fur mites, the veterinarian will prescribe medication to help get rid of them.
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Give your Persian cat the prescribed medicine. The veterinarian may prescribe ivermectin which can be given by tablet mixed in with your pet's food on a daily basis. Give all of the tablets that were prescribed. If you don't finish the recommended amount, you may not get rid of all of the fur mites. The veterinarian may also decide to give an injection of ivermectin which would have to be repeated over a three-week period. Persian cats are usually kept inside the home rather than outside. Therefore, taking your pet to the veterinarian several times in a few weeks may cause stress for your Persian cat.
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Wash all of your pet's bedding and vacuum the floors of your home. Fur mites will be able to live without their host up to two weeks. Washing the bedding and daily vacuuming will help get rid of any mites that still exist.
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Tips & Warnings
Grooming your Persian cat daily will help you recognize fur mites before they get increasingly worse.
References
- Photo Credit persian cat image by FotoWorx from Fotolia.com
