The Demodex live in the hair follicles and sebaceous glands; problems develop when the number of mites exceeds that which is tolerated by the immune system. Usually the lesions are found around the eyes, face and head, and neck. Demodicosis causes an inflammatory reaction, often leading to secondary bacterial infections. Demodex mites can cause a patchy scaly reaction on the skin surface, and what we term ceruminous otitis externa, a greasy ear discharge. Immunosuppression, metabolic disease, and/or genetics may predispose certain cats to demodicosis. A newer mite, Demodex gatoi has been isolated in cats, and lives on the surface rather than down in the skin.
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