External Parasites in Kittens

Table of Contents:

• Fleas
• Ticks
• Mites
• Prevent parasites in your kitten

Fleas on Kittens – Signs, Treatment & Prevention

How Does a Kitten Get Fleas?

Fleas go through four distinct life stages: egg, larva, pupa, and adult. Among these, only the adult fleas actually live on cats. The other three stages make up a whopping 95% of the flea population and live in the environment. So, the fleas you spot on your pet are just the visible part of a much larger problem. Kittens can pick up fleas from any area where flea-infested animals have been, including your home, backyard, or other outdoor spaces. Interestingly, adult fleas rarely jump directly from one animal to another.

Kitten Flea Symptoms

Fleas aren’t always easy to spot directly, but you might notice “flea dirt” – the flea’s faeces – especially on kittens with lighter coats. When fleas are present, kittens often show one or more of the following signs:

• Scratching due to flea bites
• Excessive grooming, such as licking, chewing, which may indicate skin irritation
• Hair thinning or bald patches, often caused by repeated scratching or grooming
• Redness, rashes, or scabs, which may develop from flea bites, particularly in kittens with flea allergy dermatitis
• Secondary skin infections, which can arise from damaged skin due to scratching
• Anaemia, which may occur in severe infestations due to blood loss

It’s important to note that fleas aren’t the only cause of skin issues in kittens. For an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment, it’s best to consult your veterinarian.

It is important to note that fleas can also transmit other pathogens and parasites to humans, so protecting your kitten is important for pet’s health but also for your family’s health.

Ticks in Kittens

In Australia, three key tick species that can affect cats are: Bush ticks, Brown Dog ticks, and Paralysis ticks.

• Bush ticks (Haemaphysalis longicornis) are found along parts of the east and west coasts. When they attach to a cat’s skin, they can cause irritation and inflammation. In cases of heavy infestation, significant blood loss may lead to anaemia.
• Brown Dog ticks (Rhipicephalus sanguineus) are widespread across mainland Australia, reaching as far south as Melbourne. Like Bush ticks, they can cause skin irritation, and severe infestations may result in anaemia due to blood loss.

Both Bush and Brown Dog ticks are also capable of transmitting blood-borne parasites, which can further contribute to anaemia in affected cats.

• Paralysis ticks (Ixodes holocyclus) are found along the eastern coastline, from Cape York in Queensland down to Lakes Entrance in Victoria. These ticks are among the most dangerous parasites for pets, as they release a potent toxin that can cause life-threatening paralysis in cats and dogs.

Paralysis ticks can be found anywhere native animals such as bandicoots, possums, kangaroos and wallabies inhabit. Therefore, cats will typically get ticks when they are exploring outdoors. The paralysis tick crawls up grass fronds or shrubs and waits for a host (such as a cat or dog) to brush past. The tick will use its front legs to grab on to the animal and then crawl over the coat to find a suitable place to attach and feed.

Kitten Tick Symptoms

The symptoms caused by tick bites can vary depending on the tick species involved. In cases of tick paralysis, affected cats may show one or more of the following signs:

• Changes in vocalisation, such as a hoarse or absent meow
• Gagging or vomiting, which may occur early in disease progression
• Coughing
• Loss of coordination in the hind limbs, which can worsen and affect the front limbs as well
• Difficulty standing or walking, due to progressive muscle weakness
• Laboured or rapid breathing, which may indicate serious respiratory compromise

Tick paralysis is a serious disease and can be life-threatening. If you find a tick and/or see potential clinical signs of tick paralysis, contact your veterinarian and take your pet to the clinic as soon as possible.

Check your pet daily for ticks if they spend time outdoors, using the “finger walk” method, running your fingers over their skin all over their body. If you find a tick on your pet, remove the tick as soon as possible using either a tick removal device, tweezers or your fingers. Store the tick in a sealed container for identification by your veterinarian.

Mites and Mange in Kittens

Mange is a skin disease caused by parasitic mites that can affect both kittens and cats. Mites are tiny, external parasites that can lead to severe irritation of the skin or ears which can significantly impact your cat’s quality of life. The two main types of mites causing mange in cats are the ear mite and the cat mange mite.

Ear mites (Otodectes cynotis) are a common cause of inflammation of the external ear canal in kittens, causing Otodectic mange. Ear mites in cats are typically spread from direct contact with other cats or dogs. Clinical signs seen in kittens with ear mites include scratching around the head and ears, head shaking and a dark discharge and unpleasant odour from the ears.

The cat mange mite (Notoedres cati) is also known as feline scabies. Notoedric mange is highly contagious and is spread by contact with an infested cat. Clinical signs seen in kittens with notoedric mange include intense itching, crusting and scaling of the skin and hair loss. Secondary skin infections can also occur.

Treatment

To help protect your pet from fleas, ticks and mites, use a registered flea, tick and mite control product. There are several different types of these products available for cats, including:

• Topical (spot-on or spray) treatments for kittens
• Tablets for kittens
• Collars for kittens
• Shampoos for kittens

If you’re looking for the best parasite control product for kittens, you can’t go past NexGard SPECTRA® Spot-On for Cats. It’s a highly effective treatment for external parasites that can be used from 8 weeks of age and 0.8 kg bodyweight. It provides the most complete protection against fleas, ticks, mites, heartworm, lungworm and intestinal worms (including tapeworms), all in one easy, monthly application.

See product label for full claim details and directions for use.