Kitten scabies: When can my kitten rejoin cats & clean quarantine?

Question

I have a kitten with scabies who has received it's first dose of ivermectin. It goes back for a second shot in 14 days. I have kept it quarantined in a bedroom, separated from my other full grown cats. My vet says after the 2nd shot, the kitten is cured, and can join the rest of my cats, is this true? Also, what is the best way to clean the room it was quarantined in? Should I start by just shutting the door for a few days, I read the mote cannot survive off of a host for long....input please. Pet's info: Cat | Mixed Breed | Female | unspayed | 2 months and 11 days old | 2 lbs

Robin Burdine, DVM · Accepted Answer

Hi and welcome to Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! I am sorry that you are having to deal with this with Nina. Scabies is a mite that can be difficult to find on skin scrapings and luckily in cats does not often cause them to be as itchy as it does in dogs. I do hope Nina is not extremely itchy and just has the skin abnormalities (ie crusting, scaling or even missing hair). I am glad that you have Nina quarantined from the other cats in your household; however, you may still consider treating them all. Scabies is a mite that can live transiently (ie temporarily) on humans which means we can transport it from animal to animal as well. Treatment can be complete for Nina after just the two injections although sometimes it can take up to four injections. Monitoring her response to treatment, ie if she is currently itchy then her improvement in that; improvement in her skin crusting, scaling and/or hair loss is an indication that the scabies is improving. In addition skin scrapings can be done to evaluate for the mite as well. This will help guide the number of injections needed. Finally, the mite does not live well in the environment; however, the recommendation is to wash or throw out all bedding, in addition to a general thorough cleaning. Please follow up with your regular veterinarian for continued care and to discuss the risk level of the other household cats.

Kitten scabies: When can my kitten rejoin cats & clean quarantine?

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