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External Animal Parasites of the Cat
Paras£tes
of
the Cat.
other means are available, because the cat is naturally repugnant to water, and death frequently ensues from some disease contracted through the washing. Ointments or liniments are preferable to lotions, which evaporate too quickly and leave the surface dry. On the other hand, greasy preparations unless very freshly prepared are liable to turn rancid, and consequently become a source of danger. Rather more skill than labour is necessary in the majority of cases of the treatment of diseases of the skin, and drugs or remedies are like surgical instruments-they require a competent person to use them.
EXTERNAL ANI1\1AL PARASITES OF THE CAT. BY HENRY GRAY, M.R .C.V.S.
THE
Cat-flea (Pulex serratzccps) is readily recognised, undE'r
a low magnifying power, by it having black, blunt spines of seven to nine in number, arranged as the teeth of a comb, at the postericr border of the prothorax and at the inferior border of the head, which distinguishes this flea from the human flea-Pulcx £1·rztans. The cat-flea, which also is the one that affects the dog and sometimes the rabbit, may live on man, but it rarely pricks him, and the human flea can be conveyed to the cat, dog, · and rabbit. They are troublesome insects, irritating animals and disturbing rest. They prefer to attack the cat when she is suckling her kittens, which also become affected. Their favourite seat in the cat is the posterior half of the under surface of abdomen, and they are of more frequent occurrence than most people are aware. The idea that the cat is rarely affected results from the fact that the cat is not so intimate with its owner as the dog, and by it leading a more independent life. They cause irritation of the skin by puncturing it, and if there is scratching or biting of it on the part of the animal, eruptions and sores besides the flea-bites are produced. But this is rare. The skin becomes dirty with the black, coffee-ground appearance of the freces of the flea, and eggs, which are oval in shape, having a bluish colour, resembling maw or poppy seeds. It must not be forgotten that it plays an important part in the evolution of the ellzptzcal taprnvorm (Tamza etlzptzca) by harbouring the intermediary cysticercus, the ingestion of which gives rise to the development of this tapeworm in the intestine of the cat. ·
The Veterinary journat. The best treatment for their removal is to rub into the coat of the cat powdered pyrethrum or Persian insect powder. It. is done by brushing forward the pelage by a brush or by the hand, and then sprinkling on plenty of the powder and rubbing it well into the roots of the hair. About half-an-hour after the cat should be placed on a sheet of newspaper and the coat combed out with a small-tooth comb. All the fleas, eggs, and debn.:S thus removed must be burned. The cages and sleeping .. places also require attention. They should be well sprinkled with oil of turpentine or sanitas powder, and finally dusted over with freshly slaked lime. Care must be taken that the corners and crevices of the apartments are well done. The litter or bedding should be burned. It must not be forgotten that fleas undergo metamorphosis in sand and dirt, and that late in the summer and the commencement of autumn rain or wet weather will drive them into dwellings. This is the reason why they are so commonly seen at these times of the year. The Chz"goe, jigger, sand or penetrating flea (Sarcopsylla penetrans or Pulex penetrans), which is fc.und in tropical countries, such as Central America, Brazil, Guinea, and Mexico, and which lives on plants, forage, and sand, attacks the cat as well as other domestic and wild animals, and even man. The female burrows into the skin and causes inflammation and then ulceration, and even gangrenous wounds, so much so that it may cause mutilation of the parts or limbs. The treatment to be adopted is to destroy or remove the insect. A solution of chromic acid or strong tincture of iodine will be useful, but care must be taken not to let the cat lick these substances, else the remedy will be worse than the disease. Fortunately for the cat, it is only affected by one louse ( Trzchodectes subrostatus), which differs from the flea by being a wingless insect, and by not jumping and only quitting the cat by accident. It has three-articled antennre, and the head has five sides to it, and the body is as oval as possible, and is notched behind in the female. Its colour is yellowish brown. It is seen in young Persian cats, but also in the common bred ones, and it may or may not be associated with fleas or mange. It is not a blood sucker, but attacks thehair and eats the epidermis, preferably that of the head, neck, back and limbs, where it causes intense itching. It develops rapidly upon poorly-fed, weak and debilitated animals. There is itchiness, loss of hair, scurfiness, and nits (eggs) in more
Paras-ites
of the. Cat.
93
or less large numbers, which by their presence indicate that the skin has not received sufficient attention. The nits or eggs are attached to the hairs by a gluey material, and are difficult to remove. It must not be forgotten that this insect, like fleas, can and does harbour the larval form of the elliptical tapeworm, and that there seems to be a mutualism between external parasites and this tapeworm. To remove lice, the skin requires to be treated as for fleas, and after this is done, the coat should be well rubbed all over with the following lotion every day, for four or five days, afterwards well drying in front of the fire. Tincture of camphor . . . 4 drachms Vinegar . . . add to 6 ounces The vinegar destroys the eggs by destroying their shells, the spirit of camphor. causes them to become loosened, and then stifles the young msects. Good food, as raw meat, fish, milk, cod-liver oil and iron tonics are good to prevent a predisposition for the renewal of parasites. . . The Red J11'zte, red flea or harvest bug (Leptus autumnalts or Trombzdzum lzoloserzceum), is only a parasite in its larval state when it has six legs. It is not larger than a very small pin's head, is scarlet in colour and covered with bristly hairs. It resembles at first sight small grains of powdered capsicum or cayenne pepper. It attacks the cat and dog between the claws where it may be seen in clusters of four or five ; it may also be seen inside the ears and other parts of the body. It is generally seen in harvest time after animals have wandered into fields, and it causes intolerable itchiness and redness by puncturing the skin with its mandibles which resembles the lobster's front claws. Treatment-Oil of turpentine one drachm, camphor one drachm, olive oil or glycerine add to one ounce and mix, makes a sure and certain liniment for their destruction. It should be applied by means of a feather or camel's-hair brush to the affected parts only. But where the whole body seems to be swarmed with them a quassia bath is better. Take two ounces of quassia chips and boil in a quart of water for half an hour, strain, and then add half an ounce of soft soap, and allow this to get cold. Then rub well all over the animal, between claws and pour into ears and dry well. The Ear-mzle (Symbz'otes aurzcularum), which causes the so-called but erroneously termed canker of the ear; and the mange-mz'te (Sarcoptes mz'nor, variety cat£), which causes true mange, itch or scab, have both been dealt with elsewhere.
94
The Veterinary Journai.
Maggots sometimes affect the nose, eyes, ears, mouth and anus of the cat when she becomes debilitated from disease and neglect, so that it is necessary to just ~ention the fact. The follzde-7rtt"te (Acarus or Demodexfolltculorum), is sometimes found in the ears, on the nose of the cat, as well as in the sebaceous follicles of man, but it does not seem to cause skin disease in them like it does in the dog, in which animal it gives rise to the so-called red, black, scabby, or follicular mange which is difficult to cure. Under the microscope it has a caterpillar-shaped body.
STATUS OF SCOTTISH SECRETARY TO THE BOARD OF EXAl\1INERS. "Absence the best expedient they could find. "-DRYDEN.
IT is to be sincerely hoped in the interest of the members present at the l\!Ieeting of the Council ot the R.C.V.S. held on January 13th, that their minutes, so far as referring to the status of the Scottish Secretary, will not be approved. Our readers will find from our report of the meeting in another column, that the Council were endeavouring to devise means by which they may evade all "danger" of being made answerable for their acts in Scotland, in which country they haveL The entire monopoly of granting diplomas to successful candidates, and 2. The right to prevent anyone not holding a diploma in proper form, from practising the veterinary art; and where also there are three colleges preparing students for examination as against one in England, and where, moreover, there are more candidates than in the latter country. The highly-dignified means by which they hope to attain this end, are as follows : I . The Secretary to the Board of Examiners for Scotland is no longer to be allowed to sign diplomas. 2. He is not to be allowed to head his notepaper " Royal Coilege of Veterinary Surgeons." The first of these prudent and sapient proposals involves that Mr. Rutherford, who attends to the conduct of the examinations in Scotland, and sees all the candidates' certificates and papers, is not to certify their diplomas, while the English Secretary, who has little or no communication with Scotch students, is so to certify. . Does the Council think that this system will tend to accu-
of
the Cat.
other means are available, because the cat is naturally repugnant to water, and death frequently ensues from some disease contracted through the washing. Ointments or liniments are preferable to lotions, which evaporate too quickly and leave the surface dry. On the other hand, greasy preparations unless very freshly prepared are liable to turn rancid, and consequently become a source of danger. Rather more skill than labour is necessary in the majority of cases of the treatment of diseases of the skin, and drugs or remedies are like surgical instruments-they require a competent person to use them.
EXTERNAL ANI1\1AL PARASITES OF THE CAT. BY HENRY GRAY, M.R .C.V.S.
THE
Cat-flea (Pulex serratzccps) is readily recognised, undE'r
a low magnifying power, by it having black, blunt spines of seven to nine in number, arranged as the teeth of a comb, at the postericr border of the prothorax and at the inferior border of the head, which distinguishes this flea from the human flea-Pulcx £1·rztans. The cat-flea, which also is the one that affects the dog and sometimes the rabbit, may live on man, but it rarely pricks him, and the human flea can be conveyed to the cat, dog, · and rabbit. They are troublesome insects, irritating animals and disturbing rest. They prefer to attack the cat when she is suckling her kittens, which also become affected. Their favourite seat in the cat is the posterior half of the under surface of abdomen, and they are of more frequent occurrence than most people are aware. The idea that the cat is rarely affected results from the fact that the cat is not so intimate with its owner as the dog, and by it leading a more independent life. They cause irritation of the skin by puncturing it, and if there is scratching or biting of it on the part of the animal, eruptions and sores besides the flea-bites are produced. But this is rare. The skin becomes dirty with the black, coffee-ground appearance of the freces of the flea, and eggs, which are oval in shape, having a bluish colour, resembling maw or poppy seeds. It must not be forgotten that it plays an important part in the evolution of the ellzptzcal taprnvorm (Tamza etlzptzca) by harbouring the intermediary cysticercus, the ingestion of which gives rise to the development of this tapeworm in the intestine of the cat. ·
The Veterinary journat. The best treatment for their removal is to rub into the coat of the cat powdered pyrethrum or Persian insect powder. It. is done by brushing forward the pelage by a brush or by the hand, and then sprinkling on plenty of the powder and rubbing it well into the roots of the hair. About half-an-hour after the cat should be placed on a sheet of newspaper and the coat combed out with a small-tooth comb. All the fleas, eggs, and debn.:S thus removed must be burned. The cages and sleeping .. places also require attention. They should be well sprinkled with oil of turpentine or sanitas powder, and finally dusted over with freshly slaked lime. Care must be taken that the corners and crevices of the apartments are well done. The litter or bedding should be burned. It must not be forgotten that fleas undergo metamorphosis in sand and dirt, and that late in the summer and the commencement of autumn rain or wet weather will drive them into dwellings. This is the reason why they are so commonly seen at these times of the year. The Chz"goe, jigger, sand or penetrating flea (Sarcopsylla penetrans or Pulex penetrans), which is fc.und in tropical countries, such as Central America, Brazil, Guinea, and Mexico, and which lives on plants, forage, and sand, attacks the cat as well as other domestic and wild animals, and even man. The female burrows into the skin and causes inflammation and then ulceration, and even gangrenous wounds, so much so that it may cause mutilation of the parts or limbs. The treatment to be adopted is to destroy or remove the insect. A solution of chromic acid or strong tincture of iodine will be useful, but care must be taken not to let the cat lick these substances, else the remedy will be worse than the disease. Fortunately for the cat, it is only affected by one louse ( Trzchodectes subrostatus), which differs from the flea by being a wingless insect, and by not jumping and only quitting the cat by accident. It has three-articled antennre, and the head has five sides to it, and the body is as oval as possible, and is notched behind in the female. Its colour is yellowish brown. It is seen in young Persian cats, but also in the common bred ones, and it may or may not be associated with fleas or mange. It is not a blood sucker, but attacks thehair and eats the epidermis, preferably that of the head, neck, back and limbs, where it causes intense itching. It develops rapidly upon poorly-fed, weak and debilitated animals. There is itchiness, loss of hair, scurfiness, and nits (eggs) in more
Paras-ites
of the. Cat.
93
or less large numbers, which by their presence indicate that the skin has not received sufficient attention. The nits or eggs are attached to the hairs by a gluey material, and are difficult to remove. It must not be forgotten that this insect, like fleas, can and does harbour the larval form of the elliptical tapeworm, and that there seems to be a mutualism between external parasites and this tapeworm. To remove lice, the skin requires to be treated as for fleas, and after this is done, the coat should be well rubbed all over with the following lotion every day, for four or five days, afterwards well drying in front of the fire. Tincture of camphor . . . 4 drachms Vinegar . . . add to 6 ounces The vinegar destroys the eggs by destroying their shells, the spirit of camphor. causes them to become loosened, and then stifles the young msects. Good food, as raw meat, fish, milk, cod-liver oil and iron tonics are good to prevent a predisposition for the renewal of parasites. . . The Red J11'zte, red flea or harvest bug (Leptus autumnalts or Trombzdzum lzoloserzceum), is only a parasite in its larval state when it has six legs. It is not larger than a very small pin's head, is scarlet in colour and covered with bristly hairs. It resembles at first sight small grains of powdered capsicum or cayenne pepper. It attacks the cat and dog between the claws where it may be seen in clusters of four or five ; it may also be seen inside the ears and other parts of the body. It is generally seen in harvest time after animals have wandered into fields, and it causes intolerable itchiness and redness by puncturing the skin with its mandibles which resembles the lobster's front claws. Treatment-Oil of turpentine one drachm, camphor one drachm, olive oil or glycerine add to one ounce and mix, makes a sure and certain liniment for their destruction. It should be applied by means of a feather or camel's-hair brush to the affected parts only. But where the whole body seems to be swarmed with them a quassia bath is better. Take two ounces of quassia chips and boil in a quart of water for half an hour, strain, and then add half an ounce of soft soap, and allow this to get cold. Then rub well all over the animal, between claws and pour into ears and dry well. The Ear-mzle (Symbz'otes aurzcularum), which causes the so-called but erroneously termed canker of the ear; and the mange-mz'te (Sarcoptes mz'nor, variety cat£), which causes true mange, itch or scab, have both been dealt with elsewhere.
94
The Veterinary Journai.
Maggots sometimes affect the nose, eyes, ears, mouth and anus of the cat when she becomes debilitated from disease and neglect, so that it is necessary to just ~ention the fact. The follzde-7rtt"te (Acarus or Demodexfolltculorum), is sometimes found in the ears, on the nose of the cat, as well as in the sebaceous follicles of man, but it does not seem to cause skin disease in them like it does in the dog, in which animal it gives rise to the so-called red, black, scabby, or follicular mange which is difficult to cure. Under the microscope it has a caterpillar-shaped body.
STATUS OF SCOTTISH SECRETARY TO THE BOARD OF EXAl\1INERS. "Absence the best expedient they could find. "-DRYDEN.
IT is to be sincerely hoped in the interest of the members present at the l\!Ieeting of the Council ot the R.C.V.S. held on January 13th, that their minutes, so far as referring to the status of the Scottish Secretary, will not be approved. Our readers will find from our report of the meeting in another column, that the Council were endeavouring to devise means by which they may evade all "danger" of being made answerable for their acts in Scotland, in which country they haveL The entire monopoly of granting diplomas to successful candidates, and 2. The right to prevent anyone not holding a diploma in proper form, from practising the veterinary art; and where also there are three colleges preparing students for examination as against one in England, and where, moreover, there are more candidates than in the latter country. The highly-dignified means by which they hope to attain this end, are as follows : I . The Secretary to the Board of Examiners for Scotland is no longer to be allowed to sign diplomas. 2. He is not to be allowed to head his notepaper " Royal Coilege of Veterinary Surgeons." The first of these prudent and sapient proposals involves that Mr. Rutherford, who attends to the conduct of the examinations in Scotland, and sees all the candidates' certificates and papers, is not to certify their diplomas, while the English Secretary, who has little or no communication with Scotch students, is so to certify. . Does the Council think that this system will tend to accu-