Expert: Dr. Louis N. Gotthelf - 5/31/2011

Question
Hi. My black Persian Cat has a lot of real teeny weeny brownish specks on his fur. It is especially obvious on the top part of his head and legs. They seem too small to be fleas and ticks, but at close look they move at a slow pace.  I have other Persians too but the parasites appears to be very obvious on this black one. Whereas the other 2 Persians has a little dried scabs under the chin and on the back. Other then that they appear to be the normal - no excessive grooming or scratching. What should I use to get rid of them?

Answer
Any flea spray that has cats on the label should kill any bugs on the cats.  For the crusts around the neck, that is miliary dermatitis, usually an allergic reaction to fleas.  For that a shot of a steroid called DepoMedrol can be given by your vet to help relieve the allergy symptoms.