The cat constantly scratches and licks, but there are no fleas: why and what to do

Possible causes of itching

Often, a domestic cat is often washed and strongly scratches the neck behind the ears, its face, tears the skin on the head and combs itself so that hair falls out or sores appear until blood and scabs and crusts appear, and to find out why this happens and how to treat it, first the queue is to check if it has fleas or not. If blood-sucking insects or their eggs are found, you will need to immediately treat the animal's hair with special preparations.

Even after the complete elimination of parasites in the body, there is a substance that got into the blood during the bite. Its effect can last from 1 to 2 months, making the cat feel like scratching the irritated area.

If no fleas were found during examination of the animal, then the cause of the itching may be as follows:

• skin diseases;
• hormonal disbalance;
• allergic reaction;
• disorder of the endocrine glands;
• lichen;
• the presence of parasitic worms (helminths).

To eliminate itching and protect a cat living at home from scratching the neck, back and other places, it is necessary to identify the source of its occurrence and conduct effective treatment. Further, the possible causes of the disease are considered and what to do if the cat often licks itself to the sores, what to give with constant itching.

Hormonal disorders that provoke scratching

Excessive itching due to hormonal disruptions is a fairly common phenomenon, especially characteristic of pedigree animals and not associated with fleas.

Thyroid dysfunction

In case of dysfunction of the thyroid gland (hypothyroidism), the cat's skin begins to itch and itch, hair falls out intensively, dandruff appears, which is not associated with the effects of fleas.

Cushing's syndrome

Caused by problems with adrenal function. Manifested by alopecia on the sides and along the back, the skin becomes thinner, dries up, cracks form, provoking the spread of external infection.

Parasites

Another cause of itchy skin and scabies can be parasites, more often than others, pets have scabies mites (sarcoptic mange). In this case, damage can be found on the cat's elbows, ankles, and also on the ears.

However, only a doctor can make a more accurate diagnosis. To do this, he will make several deep scrapings and, if parasites are found, he will prescribe the appropriate treatment.

Itching scabies

This is a mite that parasitizes on the head and neck of the animal. The result is damage to the inner layer of the skin. Scabies itch feeds on lymph and particles of the inner layer of the epidermis. The parasite also lays eggs there.

Symptoms:

• The appearance of red bumps on the skin.
• The appearance of thick crusts on the affected areas.
• Transformation of crusts into papules filled with fluid.
• Thinning hair in affected areas.

Ear mite

It is a parasite that causes ear scabies (otodectosis) in cats. It settles in the skin folds of the auricles and feeds on lymph, skin cells and blood.

Signs of infection:

• Itchy ears. The cat scratches its ears and shakes its head.
• Redness appears in the folds of the ears.
• The amount of wax in the ears increases.
• A brown coating with an unpleasant odor appears in the ears.

Ixodid tick

This is the most dangerous parasite, the carrier of bacteria.The tick is rather large, it feeds on a cow. When viewed, it resembles a gray grape (if drunk on blood). If the hit appeared recently and did not have time to drink blood, it looks like a small spider.

It provokes diseases such as:

• Infectious anemia.
• Damage to the blood and lymph nodes.
• Damage to the spleen and liver.

Such diseases are difficult to tolerate and take a long time to heal. Therefore, the best option is prevention (collars, sprays, drops).

Fly larvae

Fly larvae often appear in open wounds in cats. The insect lays eggs in the animal's wound, which causes a disease called myiasis. The larvae feed on living cells, tissues, body fluids.

Course of the disease:

• Larvae appear from the eggs, they molt, grow, actively feed on tissues and cells from the wound.
• The larvae penetrate deep into the skin, bringing the infection deeper and deeper. Connective and muscle tissues are damaged.
• The wounds hurt, itch and fester, the animal becomes restless,
• Combing wounds leads to bacterial infections.

The cat has sores on the body: Demodecosis

Another common cause of body sores in cats is demodicosis. This is a subcutaneous tick because of its place of residence. Demodex, and this is the name of the causative agent of this disease, affects any cats and dogs, regardless of age and breed.

Modern veterinarians believe that the following leads to the activity of Demodex:

• weakened immunity (due to recent diseases, chronic and congenital changes and diseases);
• poor-quality maintenance (untimely cleaning of the tray, dirty house and bedding, dampness in the room, dirt);
• unbalanced diet (lack of fat and vitamin A in the diet).

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Diagnosis and treatment of demodicosis:

First of all, the cat's hair loses its shine and becomes brittle, the skin around the eyes is affected, it turns red, begins to peel off, and dandruff appears. Further, dandruff and peeling coarse, covered with crusts.

In a cat, scabs appear on the body, which become coarse over time, begin to burst and secondary infections join them, ulcers may appear. From this point on, the animal may begin to itch, but itching is not an obligatory sign of demodicosis.

To make the correct diagnosis, a mandatory visit to a veterinary dermatologist is required, who will take a scraping and plucking of hair from a cat. After examining them under a microscope and confirming the diagnosis, treatment will be prescribed.

In dogs, the Bravecto tablet cope with this disease. There are drops for cats Bravecto Spot-On... Using them three times according to a specific schedule completely and safely relieves the cat from uninvited guests.

Itching caused by helminths

There are many varieties of parasitic worms that inhabit the cat's body. They can be:

• round;
• flat;
• tape.

Usually at the very beginning of the infection it is difficult to consider any of its symptoms, but after a while the animal:

1. loses appetite, activity;
2. becomes restless;
3. constantly licks and itches.

The intestinal worms are considered almost harmless.

Difficulties with the health of a pet arise when there are too many helminths and their larvae begin to migrate.

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The movement of worms throughout the body in an animal is accompanied by the following symptoms:

• sharp weight loss, increased fatigue, stunted growth in small pets;
• disheveled coat;
• enlargement of the liver and icteric staining of visible mucous membranes;
• disruption of the digestive system, expressed in constipation, vomiting, diarrhea;
• the appearance of a cough;
• discharge from the eyes;
• itching in the anus;
• the presence of blood in feces;
• premature birth or miscarriage in cats;
• cramps and paresis of the limbs.

The cat may not notice the presence of parasites in the body in small quantities. However, their increase will not only deplete the animal, but will also lead to its death. The harm caused to pets by worms can be completely different:

• eating lymph, tissue and blood;
• the release of substances that contribute to intoxication;
• damage to the mucous membranes by suction cups, leading to internal bleeding.

After the worms die, decomposition products are formed that poison the animal's body. The appearance of parasites leads to metabolic disorders, as a result of which the cat's skin becomes dry and dandruff appears on it. As well as an allergic reaction, these factors are accompanied by itching, due to which the animal scratches the neck in the blood.

A pet can become infected with helminths as follows:

• eating raw meat or fish (especially river);
• flea bites;
• contact with other animals.

For the prevention of itching, which causes painful scratching, pet owners need to regularly carry out a prophylactic course using anthelmintic drugs.

Cons and pros of the drug

Cat owners who have purchased and used flea drops for Sronghold cats point to its merits. The list of positive qualities of the drug are:

• high efficiency - a single application of the solution is enough to noticeably reduce the number of parasites, a stable result is achieved when the product is reapplied after a month;
• fast action, high-quality destruction of parasites, their larvae;
• no effect on the performance of the internal organs of pets, the withdrawal of the active substance selamectin from the pet's body is carried out within three days;
• the drug Sronghold for fleas does not affect the performance of the nervous system of a person, cat or dog;
• the formulation of drops does not include allergen components;
• there is no smell that can be perceived by the animal as irritating;
• easy to use drops.

It is important for cat owners that fleas do not reappear during the entire period of Stronghold.

Sometimes there is a lack of a veterinary remedy for parasites - its cost. The price of drops in a veterinary pharmacy is slightly higher than that of a number of drugs with a similar effect.

Allergy

Your cat may be hypersensitive to the ingredients in the new food. For food allergies, cats usually scratch their faces, scratch their ears, and violently lick and bite limbs. In this case, the cat is assigned a diagnostic diet in order to identify and exclude the "harmful" food component.

For example, an allergy can result from a flea bite (see where fleas come from in domestic cats and cats), while cats, as a rule, begin to scratch their hind limbs, belly, tail and back of the back.

A cat may also be hypersensitive to the bites of other insects. In this case, the cat scratches and scratches vigorously precisely those areas of the body that have been bitten by insects such as wasps, mosquitoes, bees, ants, etc.

A rather rare type of allergy is contact allergy. In this case, itching in a pet occurs due to a reaction to an irritant, which, as a rule, affects the chest and abdomen. If scabies is caused by a reaction to environmental substances, then you need to give the cat an allergy test.

Psychological problems

The problem has been identified, the cat is scratching its neck and its fur is climbing. And the bald patches all over the baby's body say that they cannot cope with the problem on their own. What to do? The most sure thing is to go to a veterinary clinic. An accurate diagnosis is needed.Analyzes and observation of the general condition of the cat will help to find out exactly what is the reason for the loss of hair from the kitten's neck.

You may need to change the feed or cleanse your pets of parasites. Only a doctor can decide if vitamins or medications are needed to treat your cat.

Stressful situations associated with moving, the appearance of new family members, both people and animals, can make a cat want to scratch its neck until it bleeds. If you are sure that the cat itches to sores due to stress, then you can give her special pills for cats and cats "Cat Bayun". They are made from herbs and have a mild soothing effect. They are used before the road and other stressful situations.

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Infectious skin diseases

Lichen is a skin disease accompanied by:

1. the formation of a small rash;
2. damage to hair and nails.

This ailment can occur due to a viral infection or reduced immunity of the animal.

There are the following factors that contribute to the development of lichen in pets living at home:

• walking on the street unattended;
• treatment with immunosuppressants;
• malnutrition;
• infestation with parasites;
• malignant formations.

The most common causes of lichen in cats are those caused by fungal infections. There are several types of lichen:

1. Ringworm, which is based on fungal diseases. This type is easily transmitted to humans, especially to small children. Fungal spores remain viable for 5-10 years, as they are resistant to environmental influences.
2. Pityriasis or pityriasis versicolor, which is a dangerous disease. The cause of its occurrence is a yeast-like fungus, which, under certain conditions, turns into a pathogenic form.
3. A shingles or pink appearance that appears with a decrease in immunity and is of an allergic nature.
4. Eczema, or weeping lichen, manifests itself in animals as an allergic reaction to a specific irritant and is not transmitted by contact with humans and other animals. Allergies can be caused by exposure to household chemicals, a malfunction within the body, or stress.

All types of lichen in cats have common symptoms:

• loss of wool;
• inflammation of the skin, accompanied by peeling;
• change in pigmentation;
• severe scabies.

If lichen is suspected, the cat should be isolated immediately. A glazed balcony, loggia or a separate room is suitable for this, you need to make sure that the room is warm. After that, you need to contact your veterinarian in order to diagnose the cause of the itching in the cat and the methods of its treatment.

To prevent cats from developing such diseases, it is recommended to periodically vaccinate them for preventive purposes.

Skin conditions are the most common problems that cause discomfort to cats and their owners. Most often, pets who walk on the street from time to time suffer from this.

Diseases caused by bacterial infections occur in two forms, such as:

• dry, accompanied by the formation of dry scaly plates and crusts;
• moist, expressed in the appearance of abscesses and blisters filled with exudate.

Cats that have undergone serious illnesses, as well as surgical operations, are immobile for some time, as a result of which they develop bedsores. Tissue death occurs in areas of prolonged contact of the skin with the litter. To prevent this, the animal must be turned over as often as possible, and the places where bedsores can form should be wiped with camphor alcohol or disinfectants.

Cats with hypersensitive skin are at risk of developing eczema. The reasons for its occurrence can be different:

• skin damage due to prolonged friction from contact with any object (collars, harnesses, etc.), due to burns and parasite bites;
• consequences of internal disorders in the body (neuropathy): hormonal imbalance, diabetes mellitus.

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With eczema on the skin of the animal, rashes and blisters are observed. On the affected areas (including the neck), there is a constant itching sensation. For the treatment of this disease, various ointments, soothing powders, and antibiotics are used.

Acne is a common condition in cats. It can be caused by low immunity of the animal, being under stress or improper care. This bacterial infection has a detrimental effect on the sebaceous glands. As a rule, its presence is indicated by rashes in the form of abscesses throughout the body of the animal. The greatest accumulation of blackheads occurs on the chin of the cat, neck and lips.

At the beginning of the treatment, first of all, the skin is treated with washing antiseptic preparations.

Side effects

In addition to the most common indication - getting rid of fleas, for cats - Stronghold is recommended in other cases:

• as a prophylactic agent for dirofilariasis;
• to get rid of round or tape worms;
• for the treatment of otodectosis (ear mites);
• to get rid of microscopic subcutaneous mites sarcoptes;

Specialists of veterinary clinics appoint Stronghold to destroy lice and lice.

When using Stronghold flea drops, there are usually no complications or side effects. Very rarely, pet owners pay attention to the fact that a small bald patch has formed at the place where the solution is applied to the withers. In most cats, hair grows back quickly in such a place. If the coat is not restored, you should contact the veterinarian.

Another undesirable effect is hypersensitivity, an allergic reaction to the components of the drug. Redness of the skin, the appearance of a rash, swelling of the mucous membranes of the nose, mouth, tongue of the pet, the appearance of nasal discharge, sneezing, coughing are the main signs of allergies. If they appear, you may need emergency assistance.

Flea stronghold can be dangerous to humans in several cases:

• if rubber gloves were not used to protect hands;
• hands were not thoroughly washed after applying flea medicine;
• at the time of the procedure, the owner of the cat was drinking, eating or smoking.

An empty Stronghold solution pipette cannot be used for any household needs, it must be disposed of with household waste.

Bacterial or fungal inflammation

Various opportunistic microorganisms living on your pet's skin do not harm a healthy animal. But if your cat's body has been weakened, for example, due to some disease or lack of vitamins, then the population of "harmful" fungi and bacteria increases, which worsens the skin condition and overall well-being of the cat.

The doctor will check for inflammation caused by the fungus or bacteria, and will also examine the smears. As a rule, this inflammation is not the main cause of the disease.

Diagnostics

If the cat itches a lot, but there are no fleas, it is necessary to immediately look for the cause. First of all, you should visit a veterinary clinic, because there are many factors causing this behavior of a pet, and only a specialist will make an accurate diagnosis.

1. The veterinarian will definitely draw up a detailed history of the disease - he will find out the age of the cat, its lifestyle, find out when the peak of the reaction and the intensity of itching occurs, whether flea treatment and deworming were carried out, how much time has passed since the last vaccination.
2. Examine the area of ​​irritation to determine the type of skin reaction - identification of alopenia, plaques, sores, granulomas. Especially carefully check the ear canal and the space between the fingers - the most common places for allergies.
3. To identify a skin disease or dermatitis, the veterinarian will conduct tests: by combing, taking scrapings from the skin for microscopic examination, an adhesive tape test (for lice, lice), earwax studies to identify ear mites, cytological examinations of smears.

Also read the article on why a cat may scratch itself to the point of soreness.

Otitis

Ear infections can also cause unbearable, severe itching, which can cause the cat to shake its head and scratch its face and ears.

In advanced cases, you may notice redness and swelling of the auricle, as well as the discharge of pus from the ear itself.

The first sign of otitis media in cats is severe itching in the ears.

Secondary symptoms:

• Inflammation of the skin inside the auricle.
• Sharp or aching pain (cat becomes lethargic or aggressive, scared).

The reasons:

• Injuries. Ingress of foreign objects, scratches, fights by fellow tribesmen.
• Parasites (ear or subcutaneous mites). They damage the skin and soft tissues, a bacterial infection is added here and otitis media develops.
• Allergy. In this case, the cat scratches the skin inside the auricle, an infection gets there, which is the cause of otitis media.
• Infection with staphylococcus, streptococcus, etc.
• Improper care.

Infection with exogenous insects

... The presence of these insects leads to the occurrence of various diseases. The most dangerous of them are:

• flea dermatitis;
• infestation by ticks: sarcoptic mange, notoedrosis.

When fleas are bitten, a wound with their saliva remains on the animal's body, causing severe itching. The cat begins to scratch the affected area vigorously, which leads to the penetration of the infection inside. The inflammatory process in the combed areas is manifested by redness and hair loss.

Fleas not only contribute to the occurrence of infectious diseases, but also carry eggs of worms (helminths).

When infected with ticks, the clinical picture in cats is as follows:

• severe itching on dry areas of the skin;
• hair loss;
• the formation of ulcers in bare places.

Notoedrosis in cats is manifested by the presence of Notoedres cat mites and is accompanied by the following symptoms:

• itching and severe scratching;
• rash in the form of blisters;
• the appearance of crusts on itchy areas;
• loss of wool;
• loss of skin elasticity, the appearance of cracks infected with bacteria and fungi.

... These tiny bloodsuckers are 0.2-0.4 mm long and have a long proboscis. Due to this, they easily gnaw holes in the skin and make a large number of moves in it. Once on the body of animals, the parasites begin to actively lay the larvae. In this regard, already after 1.5 months after their appearance, their numerous offspring are present on the cat's body.

The main symptom of this disease is severe itching that gets worse in the evening. First of all, the tick affects areas on the head, neck, near the ears of the animal, where blisters and redness immediately appear. After a while, these places become covered with dried crusts. The animal becomes restless, constantly itches and meows. By constantly combing the itchy areas, the cat cannot sleep, its appetite disappears and weight loss is observed.

Carrying out therapy involves not only getting rid of bloodsuckers, but also curing damaged skin areas, as well as restoring the pet's immune system.

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Important! At the first signs of sarcoptic mange, the cat must be shown to a specialist.

Processing rules - detailed instructions

For the correct, effective use of Stronghold flea drops, you need to study the instructions included in the medicine box.Before opening the bottle, applying the composition to the skin of the animal, you should protect your own hands - wear rubber gloves. The bottle is removed from the blister, its protective cap is unscrewed, the foil is punctured on the pipette. It is important to check the expiration date of the drug, do not use it after the date indicated on the box.

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From the instructions for Stronghold flea drops for cats, it follows that the product is used only externally. If the owner of the animal notices adult insects, flea eggs in his fur, the actions will be as follows:

• the solution is used once every 30 days;
• Stronghold from fleas is applied only to the skin of the withers of the cat (the fur should be parted, gently rub in the medicine);
• a month later, the pet is reprocessed, its purpose is to prevent infection.

If Stronghold is used regularly against fleas, the protection will become stable. The number of insects indoors and on animals will significantly decrease, their population will not be able to naturally replenish. The remedy is indicated in the presence of other insects - lice, lice.

If the pet suffers from ear scabies, the solution is prescribed once. Before starting treatment, you should prepare the ear canal, clean it of dried crusts or scabs. If otodectosis is complicated by inflammatory processes, complex therapy is prescribed. The course of treatment includes anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial drugs.

To get rid of helminths, Stronghold is prescribed as in the treatment of fleas - once a month, then it will be used as a prevention of re-infection.

If in the region of residence there is a risk of contracting dirofilariasis, Stronghold is recommended monthly, during the season of activity of blood-sucking insects. You should start using the solution a month before the first appearance of mosquitoes - carriers of the disease.

Skin diseases

Eczema

Eczema in cats is an inflammatory condition that can have several causes. Eczema is treated for a long time and hard and tends to come back.

The reasons:

• Injuries (insect bites, collar, burns, frostbite, etc.).
• Neurotic diseases such as panleukopenia.
• Stress.
• Allergic reactions.
• Hormonal Disorders.

Course of the disease:

• Redness of certain areas of the skin.
• Severe itching.
• The appearance of seals, crusts, and then vesicles (vesicles filled with liquid).
• With dry eczema, the bubbles dissolve, the skin dries up, and crusts form.
• When wet, the bubbles open, the liquid flows out, the wounds become infected.

Dermatomycosis

Ringworm (ringworm) is an infectious disease caused by pathogenic fungi. In cats, it is manifested by the baldness of certain areas of the skin, which are foci of infection.

The reasons:

• Contact with sick animals.
• Poor conditions of detention.
• Improper nutrition.
• Skin damage (infection gets through the wound).

Treatment:

• Preparations containing clortrismazole, sulfur or tar.
• Antifungal shampoos.
• Immunomodulators.

Increased secretion of special glands is associated with the work of the endocrine system of the cat. If there is a violation, then the cat intensively scratches the back, neck and ears.

Additional symptoms:

• Hyperpigmentation of the skin and coat.
• Dandruff.
• Thirst.
• Urination becomes more frequent.

Treatment is prescribed depending on the cause of the disease.

Dermatitis

Feline dermatitis is a general definition of a group of skin conditions in cats that share common features.

Dermatitis symptoms:

• Severe itching, the animal is torn into the blood by the affected areas.
• Pain in the inflamed areas of the body.
• Crusts, ulcers or abscesses appear on the affected area of ​​the body.
• The body temperature rises.
• Wool falls out.

The reasons:

• Fungal and bacterial infections.
• Parasites.
• Drug reactions.
• Injuries.
• Diabetes.
• Hormonal disbalance.
• Wrong and nutrition.

Allergy

Symptoms:

• Hair loss.
• Dandruff
• Bad smell from the mouth.
• Ear diseases.
• Itching.

Allergy reasons:

• Medicines.
• Insect bites.
• Food (feed).
• Hygiene products.
• Plant pollen.
• Vaccine reaction infections.

Treatment of allergies in cats takes place in two stages:

• Elimination of causes (change in diet, withdrawal of drugs, etc.).
• Treating symptoms with antihistamines.

Skin conditions in a cat can also cause itching and discomfort. One of the reasons may well be

- a secondary bacterial infection localized both in the deep layers and on the surface of the skin.

Also, a disease such as cheiletiellosis, which is caused by ticks of the genus Cheyletiella, can lead to itchy skin in cats. These mites are like tiny white specks moving quickly. Most often they can be found along the back. The people call this infectious disease "wandering" or "pityriasis" scabies.

But itchy scabies (notoedrosis) is caused by mites similar to Sarcoptes. This infectious disease is highly contagious and is transmitted from a cat through direct contact.

Less common in cats is demodicosis, an infectious disease that is caused by demodectic mites. In addition to scabies, the cat has dermatitis, as well as baldness (as in the picture on the left).

Drug safety assessment

Stronghold will protect the cat from fleas for a long time, protect the pet from re-infection with parasites and will not have a dangerous effect on its body. Before use, several important conditions for safe treatment should be considered.

First, the use of the product is allowed only with a valid expiration date. It is 3 years from the date of production. It is necessary to observe the storage conditions of the veterinary preparation. The packaging should be stored without access to light, at a temperature of 3 to 30 degrees. Any food, drinks, pet food, medicine cannot be placed near the box. The place must be out of reach of children and animals.

The Stronghold flea remedy cannot be used during some periods of a pet's life:

• small kittens (up to 6 weeks old);
• during illness or recovery.

For pregnant and lactating females, flea drops are prescribed by a veterinarian after examination.

To make the treatment safe, the solution is not used in conjunction with other products with similar properties. The interaction of several active components can cause intoxication of the animal's body, undesirable manifestations. An important condition is to apply drops only on dry, without wounds or injuries, skin.

Allergic reactions

Allergy in pets occurs due to the ingress of an inadequate reaction of the body to substances that enter the body from the environment. It can be dust, pollen, one or more components in the feed, etc. Usually, the disease is accompanied by:

• severe itching (especially in the head and neck area);
• increased body temperature;
• hyperemia and hair loss.

Prolonged exposure to the allergen leads to the development of asthmatic syndrome, atopic dermatitis and the formation of granulomas containing a large number of eosinophilic leukocytes.

An animal with similar symptoms must be shown to a specialist in order to diagnose and prescribe treatment for itching.

If the cat begins to actively scratch the neck, the owner needs to find out the cause of such discomfort as soon as possible. Serious skin damage should be the reason for a visit to the veterinarian. In most cases of skin diseases in cats, they do not pose a serious threat to their lives, and their treatment is allowed at home.

Description of the drug and its composition

The Stronghold flea remedy is produced by a well-known company from the USA - Pfizer Animal Health.The veterinary drug is an alcohol-based solution, which is packaged in pipette bottles made of polymer material with a dispensing cap. The medicine is clear, colorless or light yellow.

The main active ingredient is selamectin. The substance has systemic properties that are important for the fight against fleas and other parasites:

• insecticidal;
• nematicidal;
• acaricidal;
• larvicidal;
• ovocidal.

In the composition of Stronghold from fleas, there are other components - dipropylene glycol, isopropyl alcohol.

Selamectin enters the flea's body - its nervous and muscle tissues, binds to their receptors. There is an increase in the permeability of cell membranes. Chlorine ions entering the cell block the nervous system of the parasites, causing them to become paralyzed and then die. It is important that selamectin does not penetrate into the affected organism of the animal, does not harm the pet.

The solution contains a different amount of active substance - 6% for cats or 12% for dogs. Stronghold feline flea remedy comes in several dosages, the choice for each application depends on the weight of the animal:

• 0.25 mg each (with a purple cap), used for cats less than 2.5 kg;
• 0.75 mg each (blue cap) - for animals from 2.5 to 7.5 kg.

If the weight of the cat is more, several bottles are combined for a single use. For dogs, Stronghold flea control is used with a cap of dark green, purple, brown or red. For very small individuals, a "cat" medicine with purple pipettes is suitable. Calculate the required dose of Stronghold from fleas by weight in kg, carefully, do not exceed the recommended by veterinarians.

A must-read!

Here have been listed the main causes of itching, causing the cat to have a terrible desire to scratch. But there are many more reasons! It may well be that the pet licks the coat simply because it wanted to scratch. But in any case, you need to watch his behavior, namely - scratching, combing and biting his own limbs.

To prevent the itching from returning, it is necessary to get rid of the cause, and not treat the symptoms. And for prevention, we recommend that you take proper care of the cat and keep the skin of your beloved pet clean.

Treatment

The obsessive and acute desire of a cat to scratch and lick its fur requires an integrated approach to solving this problem. So what should the owner do if the cat is constantly itching and licking itself?

1. First, determine what caused the cat's behavior. Most often, itching is caused by flea bites. In this case, the pet is examined for parasites. If fleas are found, the cat is treated with flea repellents and the annoying discomfort will disappear. If your pet is not afraid of water, it can be bathed with an antiparasitic shampoo.
2. If the owner suspects a food allergy is the cause of the bothersome licking, he should review the cat's diet and exclude potential allergens from it.
3. Elimination of anxiety and anxiety lies entirely on the shoulders of the owner of the cat. The pet should feel comfortable and safe in the house. Slow and careful desensitization of the cat may result. It is important to show her that an object that causes her negative associations is not dangerous or can be useful. You should not rush, any sudden steps can increase the anxious feelings of the cat and, as a result, intensify the licking and scratching. You can use the method of counterconditioning - to teach the cat to associate the object of fear with something positive. This will help relieve her of stress and anxiety. You can bring familiar objects to your new home or install a multi-level shelf, climbing to the top of which the cat will feel safe.
4. If the owner has not been able to independently determine the cause of the pathological licking of the cat, he should show the pet to the veterinarian. It is better to provide the pet with timely assistance than to treat concomitant diseases later.

Important! Only a doctor can prescribe competent drug treatment and dosage of drugs. Ineffective treatment can lead to complications.

Cat at the veterinarian

For allergic dermatitis and peeling of the skin, the veterinarian prescribes fatty acids or other dietary supplements.

Depending on the nature of the skin damage, the veterinarian may prescribe hormone therapy, antihistamines and antibiotics.

Neurosis, obsessive compulsions and mental disorders in cats are treated with antidepressants that have antihistamine effects.

In order to successfully eliminate cat itching, first of all, it is necessary to determine the root cause of the irritation of the pet's skin. Only after eliminating the trigger (provocateur of the disease) can you think about how to treat the itch itself and its consequences.

To speed up the healing of combed pet skin, you can use vitamin E in liquid form. You can also wear a special Elizabethan collar on your animal to prevent further scratching of the wounds.

Veterinarians also generally recommend using the following natural remedies to speed up wound healing:

• liquid honey;
• silver water;
• lavender essential oil diluted with coconut oil;
• tinctures of St. John's wort or calendula (preferably non-alcoholic).

  

Of course, immediately after applying any product, the cat will try to lick it off. For this, doctors recommend purchasing a protective collar in advance, or sewing any barrier cape on your own. It is also worth carrying out preventive anti-flea treatment of the animal, even if no signs of parasites were noticed with the naked eye. Bathing with a special shampoo will not only not harm the cat, but will also eliminate the itching for a while.

You can help the animal cope with unpleasant sensations with the help of a homemade decoction of rosemary and peppermint. A simple rinse with this natural remedy will create a cool feeling that will allow your pet to calm down for at least a few hours. It is also necessary to force the pet to drink a lot of water: sometimes excessive dryness of the skin is provoked precisely by the lack of fluid in the diet.

If you notice that your cat or cat is constantly itching, licking its lips, while behaving restlessly, hitting its tail - you should immediately show your pet to the veterinarian. It is best not to try to establish the cause and diagnosis, since many of the symptoms are similar. A laboratory analysis and competent examination will be required.

If the reason that the cat constantly itches, licks and licks lies in fleas and other skin and wool parasites, then external treatment is prescribed. The veterinarian may prescribe special drops or sprays, and recommend treating the animal with a medicated shampoo. As a rule, several times using all these drugs helps to quickly remove itching and irritation and overcome parasites. In the future, only timely prevention is required.

If the skin ailment is caused by an infection or fungus, medicinal sprays and drops will also help in the early stages. But, as practice shows, special medications and antibiotics may still be required. If the cat constantly itches, licks its muzzle, scratches its ears, eyes, antihistamines are prescribed. An accurate analysis is done and the source of the allergy is determined.