Localized demodicosis due to Demodex cati on the muzzle of two cats treated with inhalant glucocorticoids.
BACKGROUND
Feline demodicosis due to Demodex cati is a rare skin disease often associated with concurrent disease and generalized immunosuppression. Local immunosuppression due to the application of topical immunomodulatory drugs, such as glucocorticoids and tacrolimus, or by tumour cells has been suggested as a potential trigger for development of localized demodicosis in humans and animals.


OBJECTIVE
The goal was to describe two cats with asthma that developed localized demodicosis on the muzzle as a result of chronic therapy with a glucocorticoid administered via dispensing inhaler mask.


RESULTS
In both cats, the muzzle area exposed to the fluticasone-dispensing chamber exhibited patchy alopecia, mild erythema, crusting and scaling. Deep skin scraping revealed D. cati. Discontinuation or reduction of fluticasone and administration of milbemycin resulted in resolution of clinical signs within 2 months in both cats. A negative skin scrape was obtained after 7 months of milbemycin in one of the cats.


CONCLUSIONS
Demodicosis should be considered as a possible differential diagnosis in cats with primary alopecia or other skin lesions on the face exposed to inhalant glucocorticoids. Minimization of contact between the inhalant glucocorticoid and the skin can be achieved by wiping residual powder from the face and by keeping the mask tightly pressed to the skin to avoid contact with the surrounding area.
Department of Clinical Sciences and Center for Comparative Medicine and Translational Research, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, 1060 William Moore Drive, Raleigh, NC, 27607, USA.
Petra
P
Bizikova
D000336:Aerosols; D000730:Androstadienes / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000818:Animals; D000871:Anthelmintics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000662:veterinary; D002371:Cat Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000469:parasitology* / Q000473:pathology; D002415:Cats; D000068298:Fluticasone; D018942:Macrolides / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D008924:Mite Infestations / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D008925:Mites / Q000145:classification; D009330:Nebulizers and Vaporizers / Q000662:veterinary; D012138:Respiratory Therapy / Q000662:veterinary*
D000336:Aerosols; D000730:Androstadienes; D000871:Anthelmintics; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D018942:Macrolides; C078973:milbemycin oxime; D000068298:Fluticasone