External Cat Parasites - Fleas - MitesFleas: Ectoparasites that, besides causing irritation on the skin, can be hosts of diverse microorganisms that can cause several diseases.Transmission: The female flea deposits its eggs on the cat or in any other place of the breeding grounds. After the watching of the eggs, the emerging larva, develop and turn into a chrysalis, which stays inactive until the conditions are favorable, moment in which the adult fleas come out. Once out, the adult flea takes quarter on the warmest spot of the cat, the chest, the neck and root of the tail (all the cycle takes 21 days). Prevention: One must spray the breeding grounds on a periodical basis, with specific insecticides, and must have special care to wet the cats bed, trying to make the product penetrate all the crevices. Also, it is necessary to examine the cat several times a week, even if there is no flea on sight, or if the cat itches. Treatment: Put the animal on newspapers and sprinkle with a recommended insecticide for cats, then one must comb its hair looking for fleas to fall on the paper, which afterwards will be folded and burned. Fleas can also be eliminated with the use of insecticide shampoos or soaps, which effects last at the most 2 days. Cat Mites: Although they cannot be detected by the human eye, mites cause very visible damage on cats. There are two kinds of mites: those that attack the skin and those that live in the ears. Prevention: Spray the breeding grounds on a periodical basis, with specific insecticides; be specially careful to wet the cats bed, trying to introduce the product in all the crevices. Treatment: Put the animal on a newspaper and sprinkle with a recommended insecticide for cats, in case one is dealing with ticks, one must set them aside with extreme care using pliers and then eliminate them. Mites can also be killed using insecticide shampoos and soaps; read and follow instructions on the label carefully. | 
