Infestation Survey of Lynxacarus radovskyi on Feral Cats in the Northern Part of Okinawa Island, Japan

A survey of feral cats on the northern part of Okinawa Island, Japan, revealed that 12.6% were infested with the mite Lynxacarus radovskyi (cat fur mite), confirming its presence year-round across multiple regions. While this infestation rate was lower than that of fleas (93.7%), all cats with L. radovskyi also harbored fleas, suggesting potential co-infection dynamics. The study, conducted on 127 feral cats in Koun village, used visual inspection and microscopic examination to identify external parasites under general anesthesia. No significant differences were found based on sex or age, indicating widespread infestation regardless of these factors. The findings highlight the need for vigilance regarding this mite, which can cause skin conditions in cats, alongside other external parasites in Okinawa.

HATA, D., YAMAGISHI, M., & OSHIRO, S. (2023). 沖縄本島北部の野猫におけるLynxacarus radovskyi の寄生調査. Journal of the Japan Veterinary Medical Association, 76(4), e62–e67. https://doi.org/10.12935/jvma.76.e62