Background and Aim: Demodex mites, minute parasites residing in hair follicles and sebaceous glands of mammals, including cats. Demodicosis is characterized by skin inflammation, hair loss, and pruritus (itching). In this report, a case of a 5-year-old male Persian cat with severe itching, significant anxiety, and several ecchymoses (bruises) in the skin of the back of the body was introduced to the teaching clinic of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Urmia University. The present study was conducted to investigate the infection of the said cat with the Demodex cati pathogen.
Materials and Methods: A sample was taken from the affected skin area to diagnose the cause of skin lesions accurately. First, general anesthesia was induced through intravenous injection, and then a full-thickness skin biopsy was performed in the dorsal region of the chest between the shoulder blades. In the end, the skin was closed with separate simple sutures with 0.3 monofilament nylon thread (SUPA, Tehran, Iran.) was stitched.
Results: Histopathological examination of the biopsy samples showed severe invasion of D. cati mange on the skin. In this study, it was shown that Demodex mites (D. cati) are present in the lumen of most hair follicles and have caused the rupture of follicles in both the dermis and the surface of the epidermis.
Conclusion: Histopathology played a very important role in confirming the diagnosis, guiding treatment decisions and monitoring response to treatment. Finally, feline demodicosis, when properly diagnosed and managed, has a favorable prognosis, highlighting the importance of addressing underlying conditions that weaken the cat's immune system.