In many cases the pads of the feet will be thickened, swollen, tender, and red, and may have fissures. Some cats will have a slight fever and swollen lymph nodes. The diagnosis of mosquito bite hypersensitivity is based on the signs of disease, season of the year, biopsy results and improvement of the lesions when the cat is confined in a mosquito free area for 4 to 7 days. Mild cases will resolve on their own if the cat is isolated from mosquitoes. More severe mosquito bite hypersensitivity is treated with corticosteroids either by injection or orally.
Prevention is based on limiting exposure to mosquitoes.
Mosquito control is extremely important. Keeping cats indoors is very helpful, especially during the times of the day when mosquitoes are most active - dawn and dusk. Some cats with a known hypersensitivity are treated with lower doses of steroids intermittently through the mosquito season. Insect repellents which contain pyrethrin can be used. Inc. All rights reserved.