Carpet Beetle to blame for itchy kitty???

8675309 · Nov 16, 2013

Has anyone ever dealt with a carpet beetle problem (I cannot bring myself to use the word 'infestation')? I have two 12 yr old cats and one has been licking her tummy bald for about a year now (she was labeled insane--psychogenic alopecia) and another who's just started scratching and biting at his fur a few months ago. They've been on two new diets since (both grain-free and unique protein and carb sources), I've purchased HEPA allergen filters and have checked for fleas. Decided to check their bedding today (duh!) and found the carpet beetle larvae (thank you, Internets!). So…could THIS be the allergy source? I've found info on humans with carpet beetle larvae dermatitis but not a d*mned thing on cats.

HELP?!?!

goholistic · Nov 16, 2013

I had a carpet beetle problem this past summer. Contrary to what people believe, they actually come in from outside. I found them mostly on my windowsills...not the carpet. BUT they do eat fibers and will make their way to the food source...the carpet. What I didn't know about carpet beetles is that cat hair is a MAJOR food source for them. Yucky! So, if the cat beds have a lot of hair and stuff in them, I would suggest tossing them and getting new clean ones.

I really don't know if carpet beetles would cause an allergy. I'm inclined to say no, but I really don't know for sure. What I do know is that you might as well not put the vacuum away. Vacuum, vacuum, vacuum! Those buggers are a PITA!

If both cats are balding, scratching, and licking like crazy, try to look at some other common denominators. Harsh cleaning products? Wool? Latex?

8675309 · Nov 16, 2013

Ugh. Thanks for the response. Yeah, I've torn my place APART vacuuming and laundering. I've tossed their favorite beds and blankets--traumatic for them at their age, no doubt, but it skeeved me out to throw them in my washing machine!

I use all natural cleaning supplies, stainless steel dishes, natural food etc. BUT, one of my cats loved sleeping on my wool sweater (found this out when doing a closet purge one year) so I lined his bed with it. This was about a year ago--the tummy licker was licking before then (I THINK?) and the other one who's scratching himself bloody started that in late June, immediately after having 3-4 teeth pulled in a dental surgery. He hasn't been the same ever since. Sneezing and scratching like MAD.

Sigh.

Well, the beds are gone and I'm gonna be vacuuming daily, so we'll see how this goes.

Poor little guys. I just want to get to the root of what could be bothering them.

Especially the scratcher. I think the licker is just nuts.

I've heard allergy tests are unreliable? The scratcher is taking a half tablet of chlortrimeton once a day at the moment and it definitely helps.

But I'd really like to be able to figure out what's bugging him (no pun intended) and get rid of the source and get him off antihistamines!

Thanks again for responding.

earthmama · Dec 5, 2013

Well I can't seem to find much info on this but we have a both a cat and ferret who are losing fur and the have been taken to the vet and the vets find no evidence of anything else. I too switched kitties diet to now grain free half raw and half minimal, duck, venison, rabbit canned food in the thought it might be allergies too but it hasn't worked. Our kitty is ripping her fur out in clumps she is so irritated and now have to keep a cone on her. We currently have a carpet beetle problem we are trying to fight. At this point after so many vet visits and taking such good care of our animals I have to think it is the beetles. If they can cause dermatitis in humans why not animals too?! No one takes this seriously! What can be done to help our animals?! Obviously getting rid of the bugs but if you think that is an easy thing think again they can eat everything. And I just read today thy can even be in walls eating dead bugs. It is a very upsetting thing to go through on so many levels. I don't know how I went 30 years of my life never hearing about this pretty evil things..

wendalore · Aug 14, 2015

Hi,

Well, as far as carpet beetles causing cat itching problems etc, and no answers to this question, I'm on an online mission to try to find out why my fairly new, to me, cat keeps have ear problems. I couldn't make it to he vet appointment I had (have to get a bigger cat carrier, which I did) so we will see next week. His ears go in and out of looking infected. And I see these new TINY "round looking" bugs in the window sill. Two things I thought it was, but then it doesn't seem to be: ear mites, and ringworm. Ear might look, completely gone. Ringworm look (sore places) comes and goes. but does not fluoresce with black light.

Cat sits in the windows for hours. In the morning, TINY round bug is sitting there, absolutely still, as they say carpet beetles do. Then it scurries off. But if I move fast enough, I can kill it with one finger (sorry buggy, off to the carpet beetle over-soul with you.) or wet tissue.

Been reading online. NOT as easy to find things online as some people think!!

Carpet beetles look round. Carpet beetles create horrible horrible infestations. I live in an apartment complex. Our building has two entrances and eight apartments and a cellar, and four hallways. If this is a new bug, I wanna get them all.

BUT I'm still wondering if this bug could be infecting my cat's ears (the left ear more than the right) If so, and it is not well-known, I wonder what the vet would determine. Okay, I'll have to wait until next week. I'll let you know. BTW, I don't see the bugs themselves in the ear, just pink areas—and I think sometimes he scratches at the sore places. Also, I spot other areas on his long-haired body.

'Nuff said for having nothing to say!!

triplecheck · Jun 15, 2016

Hi. I just want to put this out there that my indoor cat who lived a super healthy life had passed away so suddenly & unexpected at the age of 15 years old - due to carpet beetles FOR SURE. Keep in mind, I have MAJOR OCD so my place is always clean (so I thought).

About 2 months before my cat got sick for the first time throughout her whole lifespan, all of a sudden she was sneezing, coughing, scratching/eating at her fur, balding hardcore & her fur somehow got infested with frickin teeny tiny little bugs which I'd thought were fleas. Her #1 spot in the house was in the corner by the balcony window, which I believe that is where the infestation began. So I vacuumed like crazy, corner to corner, floor to ceiling, doors/window sills (you name it), thoroughly washed her beddings, did all laundry, etc & basically flipped my whole place upside down! And mind you, I was cleaning because of these supposed fleas.

Anyways, so fast foward 2 months later, she out of nowhere decided to lay in the bathroom (I joked that maybe she wanted a bath because she hated getting wet) & couldn't eat/drink water (even though she wanted to but would spit it out because she couldn't chew/lick - to the point where I was spoon feeding her). The next day she let out a sad sigh of a sound I just can't explain, then instantly started wheezing & just couldn't breathe properly all of a sudden (as if she had something up her nose) after walking away from her spot back into the bathroom. So we took her to the Emergency Animal Hospital & right away she was incubated with oxygen, and no further testing could be performed because apparently her blood pressure wouldn't even read. But I personally KNOW 100% that the Vet was just being lazy because while I was in the room with all of the animals, an incoming call came in about a very sick dog & the Vet said, "Called it!" to the Technician who had answered the call to not have to deal with the dog when it is brought in (with her next day hangover makeup - no offense). And so by trying to discuss MY proper evaluation of my cat, and with the response of, "There's just no more hope for her.", the Vet went on to explain that it was safe to assume that my cat possibly had liver cancer (which I just couldn't wrap my head around) & said it indefinitely couldn't be "fleas" as much as I had insisted that this is how it all began.

Anyway, the Vet is just a whole nother story... She didn't even give us 2 seconds to say goodbye because sadly, we had to make the most difficult & quick decision to put our beloved down (but at the last minute I decided to take her home & that if it was her time to rest it would be with us at home so I didn't even sign the papers). So when the Receptionist went to go & tell the Vet, as she was exiting the room the Vet came back at the same time with our cat & said, "Ok we gotta do this like now because she's dying." ... Not even 2 seconds later she sticks the needle in her arm and our cat SCREAMED for her life!!!!! I am SO traumatized by it because she has NEVER in her life been hurt like that EVER! And I just don't understand that if she was pretty much dead already, how in the world would she have gained all that energy to let out a big scream like that?!? Has anyone ever experienced that??

The first thing I said all distraught was, "I didn't even sign the papers." Then she replied, "There was just no more time to sign them, I'm sorry." And I never saw the Vet again after that. In fact, the whole staff but the Receptionist were all of a sudden all huddled in the back for a meeting or something - it was weird!

And so after leaving our Furbaby wrapped in a blanket on that silver table, I just HAD to check her 'spot' again for the 10 millionth time when I got home. And there it was.. A freakin NEST of "fleas" feeding off of her fur & that surrounding area, later learning that they were in fact actually carpet beetles!

Now my question is:
Had the Vet considered my concern from the beginning, could death have been prevented?? Would've there been a quick solution? Is there a remedy or treatment plan for animals who get infested by carpet beetles?? Because not only do carpet beetles feed on materials but they especially do on fur! I am constantly blaming myself for my cat's passing because I feel I should have done better, even though I know that I did my absolute best. It is SO contradicting! Because to come home without my cat & to find that my intuition was actually right, I don't know.. I just feel that if I had "TRIPLE CHECKED" her spot than maybe I could've prevented her 'day 2'.

I don't usually leave comments in forums; this is actually my first time writing & signing up to anything like this. But somehow I came across this & just felt the need to respond in hopes that for anyone who reads this & can relate; whether you're an animal owner or lover or Vet or what ever, please consider triple checking (heck, check 20 million times if you can) & investigate the situation to the BEST of your ability for the sake of your Furbaby because they absolutely deserve that. And if you truly believe what you're believing in such as your own intuition; whatever the case may be, get a Vet on your side who listens & understands you, rather one who goes against you because YOU are your Furbaby's best advocate.

Anyway, thank you for taking the time to read this. Hopefully this may help or give awareness that carpet beetles will in fact kill your Furbaby.

Peace & love.

cat3969 · Jun 29, 2016

Personally, having had a cat with a house with a few carpet beetles having been occasionally seen, I feel inclined to say my peace. I have also looked at many other forums where veterinarians have answered and so I've come to this conclusion.

I am truly sorry your cat died, it is hard to lose a loved one, but I feel that carpet beetles would not have killed your cat and I feel it could have been prevented. It sounds like the vet wasn't very helpful in finding a cure? You should have gone to another one as they would have told you several different things.

1. Carpet beetles do not like living on anything live... This is why you do not see them directly on birds when carpet beetles lay their eggs IN the nest of a bird. The larvae (only) like eating hair and fur as well as food humans eat and dead things, and of course things like natural fiber bedding and carpets. Sometimes they will eat feathers or spiders but spiders usually eat them first. This means that even if your cat had sat on a couple carpet beetles, there is no reason for your cat to be allergic to these in particular. Even though you saw a bunch of them on your kitty's bed does not mean that they were feeding of of HER, ot means they were eating the bedding and the fur that falls off of your cat.

2. It doesn't matter how clean your house is, and the truth is they are almost in every household. Your chances of actually finding them are 50/50 because they like dark, hidden places where food can be found. A cat, not being a dark and hidden place, would not be a good food source for them. The only reason you would see adults on window seals is because they had just gotten in and were looking around for a good place to lay their eggs. The 50% who find them get rid of them either with ease or with some difficulty and the other 50% they don't even know they have them because it is not the simple fact that they are there that matters, it is really the knowledge of what they are feeding on. They may be in your walls or living comfortably under your couches and you may never ever see one... But they're there. This shouldn't make you worried but rather eliminate your worry unless they are feeding on something you hold dear and can not replace. If this happens, call an exterminator to talk about some treatments if not just look on line to find quick home remedies.

3. It sounds like your cat had multiple things. Although there are many things a cat can get (like humans) there are 2 that create a similar, if not perfect, recreation of what your cat experienced. There are dust mites (https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/House_dust_mite) which can cause asthma and wheezing to those afflicted and since cats can get into small places you might not even be able to reach (and any action to try and get rid of them fails) that could have cause an allergic reaction in your kitty. They do not stick onto the skin and are not parasitic, so any vet couldn't possibly find anything. Another thing that could have been coupled by dust mites could have been one flea or tick/mite. If there is just one it can be hard to find, even if you search every inch of your cat. This can cause the cat to go crazy, and you can't do anything about but but to maybe give it a bath and a flea collar? The cause of the icky skin could be just about anything, but the larvae of the carpet beetles can cause irritation but it has never been found to do that to cats. Even if it did, you would see red marks below the fur.

I hope this helps! I am truly sorry for your kitty, I know how hard it can be to lose a loved one. I have been looking forever on this and finally found some answers and thought I would share with you.

wanda lc · Jul 10, 2016

you suggest to toss things the cat sleeps on? He gets into the guest bedroom and the bed is full of hair! So washing it? will that get rid of eggs or what ever those little buggers create

tryingtohelpu · Aug 22, 2016

Hi Triplecheck.

I just read your post about your kitty. I am sorry that you lost her and know how hard it is. I have always had several cats all at once and sadly I lost 4 cats within about a year's time last year. They were 14, 16, 16 and 18 yrs old. I have also had carpet beetles in the past and currently have them again. I have so much cat hair everywhere and cleaning it all up is nearly impossible. Will be working on doing that again this week.

According to my vet and information that I read online, it is very unlikely that these bugs caused your cat to be sick and die. I have learned many times over that older cats can have a lot of health issues that are not known for some time. My old cats have had hyperthyroidism which was treated for some time with cream in the ear and one had cancer of the mouth, which was horrible when I found out. She was a sweet kitty and could not open her mouth very wide to eat. It was really hard putting her down but since I had so many cats and she managed to get food down, I did not notice at first. It was only when my vet was giving her an annual exam when he noticed he could not get her mouth open.

I also had a cat that got a really bad case of pancreatitis and stopped eating. By the time I realized that she was not eating at all and it was serious, her organs had started to shut down. I have also had multiple cats with kidney issues many times over, and the list goes on and on. I also had one that had a viral infection that I could never get rid of. I have had them stop eating and I put them through tests and shots and medicines and after the 4 latest ones, I realized that I made them suffer by trying to help them get better when it was just not going to work. It will be really hard, but I hope that I don't put my remaining 8 cats through that again. If it looks bad and getting better is not likely, I hope that I can just put them down without them suffering more by me trying to save them.

I truly believe that we will see our pets again in heaven, IF we are believers.

I think that your kitty was probably sick from something serious and it was just her time to go. Please do not blame yourself. Just know that you gave her the best home you could for a long time and a lot of kitties never get that. I am really good at the blame game and I blamed myself for every kitty who passed that I loved. Kept second guessing every decision and know I am finally realizing that when they are very sick, I have to stop thinking about trying to save them, to keep them here with me, when putting them down is better for them, if they are really sick.

The only thing that I would suggest, WITHOUT QUESTION, is to get another vet. Your vet sounds horrible. My vet would always give me the facts and I always made my own decision and decided when I was going to put them down. He was always ready to do what I wanted. I just cannot fathom a vet like yours. Sounds like they don't love animals at all or value you as a customer.

Just please do not blame yourself. It does not help at all. Just remember that you gave your kitty a great home and she was getting up there in years at 15 yrs old. Sometimes there is just nothing you can do to help them.

jb40 · Sep 19, 2016

I know it's been a few year since you posted this but hopefully this gets to you. My cat has CH and i'm desperate to find out how you got rid of them on the cats. It seems that whenever I tell the Vet about the carpet beetle they just dismiss it. Right now She's on antibiotics and a pain meds and she's down to 6 pounds.
HELP!!!

jb40 · Sep 19, 2016

Thank you for sharing your story. I'm going through the same thing right now and whenever I suggest carpet beetles and show them proof it's still dismissed!!!! I'm getting tired but I have my furbaby on an allergen mattress and whenever she wants to be brushed she actually wakes me up in the middle of the night..I get up and brush away these eggs and larvae...really gross but I think i'm making progress.

suzanne wolfe · Oct 23, 2016

I am so terribly sorry for your loss. I came across this post as I am having a similar situation. My dog, my cat, and my DAUGHTER are all getting bit by something in the house. A preliminary inspection led to a professional diagnosis of bed bugs (AAAAAARRRRRRGGGGG!!), most likely brought into our home when we purchased a "like-new" sofa and chair off of craigslist a month ago.. YET....today, when the exterminator was here to treat our apartment, he did not find ONE living bedbug, and very little evidence of such. He did, however find carpet beetles...in all rooms and in all stages. He was apologetic, but also honest in his complete frustration at the "mis-diagnosis". The biggest issue being that carpet beetles do not feed on humans....or mammals for that matter. While allergic reactions are not common, they are not unheard of.....so he simply cannot explain why my daughter and our pets are suffering so badly. Obviously I will have to do some more research and get the landlord, vet and doctor involved. Crossing my fingers that this very expensive and thorough treatment of the house will help.

IN THE MEANTIME, I cannot stress enough what has been said earlier.....YOU NEED TO FIND A NEW VETERINARIAN......AND....I would consider reporting the vet that euthanized your kitty to the BBB, Angie's List, and anyone else you can think of. The service you received was so WRONG on so many levels......As a former SPCA adoption officer, I know that sick animals will often stop eating and drinking when the end is near, and it is possible and probably likely your cat was suffering from some other malady that could not have been successfully treated. STILL, it is appalling that you and your beloved cat were treated so badly. There are far too many wonderful, caring professionals out there, and this vet and his staff need to find another line of work.

My prayer for you this evening is that you will find peace in knowing your kitty is pain free, that you WILL see him or her again, and that you had 15 wonderful and blessed years with your friend. ~~~Suzanne

Pantherprincess · Sep 25, 2018

triplecheck said:
Hi. I just want to put this out there that my indoor cat who lived a super healthy life had passed away so suddenly & unexpected at the age of 15 years old - due to carpet beetles FOR SURE. Keep in mind, I have MAJOR OCD so my place is always clean (so I thought).

About 2 months before my cat got sick for the first time throughout her whole lifespan, all of a sudden she was sneezing, coughing, scratching/eating at her fur, balding hardcore & her fur somehow got infested with frickin teeny tiny little bugs which I'd thought were fleas. Her #1 spot in the house was in the corner by the balcony window, which I believe that is where the infestation began. So I vacuumed like crazy, corner to corner, floor to ceiling, doors/window sills (you name it), thoroughly washed her beddings, did all laundry, etc & basically flipped my whole place upside down! And mind you, I was cleaning because of these supposed fleas.

Anyways, so fast foward 2 months later, she out of nowhere decided to lay in the bathroom (I joked that maybe she wanted a bath because she hated getting wet) & couldn't eat/drink water (even though she wanted to but would spit it out because she couldn't chew/lick - to the point where I was spoon feeding her). The next day she let out a sad sigh of a sound I just can't explain, then instantly started wheezing & just couldn't breathe properly all of a sudden (as if she had something up her nose) after walking away from her spot back into the bathroom. So we took her to the Emergency Animal Hospital & right away she was incubated with oxygen, and no further testing could be performed because apparently her blood pressure wouldn't even read. But I personally KNOW 100% that the Vet was just being lazy because while I was in the room with all of the animals, an incoming call came in about a very sick dog & the Vet said, "Called it!" to the Technician who had answered the call to not have to deal with the dog when it is brought in (with her next day hangover makeup - no offense). And so by trying to discuss MY proper evaluation of my cat, and with the response of, "There's just no more hope for her.", the Vet went on to explain that it was safe to assume that my cat possibly had liver cancer (which I just couldn't wrap my head around) & said it indefinitely couldn't be "fleas" as much as I had insisted that this is how it all began.

Anyway, the Vet is just a whole nother story... She didn't even give us 2 seconds to say goodbye because sadly, we had to make the most difficult & quick decision to put our beloved down (but at the last minute I decided to take her home & that if it was her time to rest it would be with us at home so I didn't even sign the papers). So when the Receptionist went to go & tell the Vet, as she was exiting the room the Vet came back at the same time with our cat & said, "Ok we gotta do this like now because she's dying." ... Not even 2 seconds later she sticks the needle in her arm and our cat SCREAMED for her life!!!!! I am SO traumatized by it because she has NEVER in her life been hurt like that EVER! And I just don't understand that if she was pretty much dead already, how in the world would she have gained all that energy to let out a big scream like that?!? Has anyone ever experienced that??

The first thing I said all distraught was, "I didn't even sign the papers." Then she replied, "There was just no more time to sign them, I'm sorry." And I never saw the Vet again after that. In fact, the whole staff but the Receptionist were all of a sudden all huddled in the back for a meeting or something - it was weird!

And so after leaving our Furbaby wrapped in a blanket on that silver table, I just HAD to check her 'spot' again for the 10 millionth time when I got home. And there it was.. A freakin NEST of "fleas" feeding off of her fur & that surrounding area, later learning that they were in fact actually carpet beetles!

Now my question is:
Had the Vet considered my concern from the beginning, could death have been prevented?? Would've there been a quick solution? Is there a remedy or treatment plan for animals who get infested by carpet beetles?? Because not only do carpet beetles feed on materials but they especially do on fur! I am constantly blaming myself for my cat's passing because I feel I should have done better, even though I know that I did my absolute best. It is SO contradicting! Because to come home without my cat & to find that my intuition was actually right, I don't know.. I just feel that if I had "TRIPLE CHECKED" her spot than maybe I could've prevented her 'day 2'.

I don't usually leave comments in forums; this is actually my first time writing & signing up to anything like this. But somehow I came across this & just felt the need to respond in hopes that for anyone who reads this & can relate; whether you're an animal owner or lover or Vet or what ever, please consider triple checking (heck, check 20 million times if you can) & investigate the situation to the BEST of your ability for the sake of your Furbaby because they absolutely deserve that. And if you truly believe what you're believing in such as your own intuition; whatever the case may be, get a Vet on your side who listens & understands you, rather one who goes against you because YOU are your Furbaby's best advocate.

Anyway, thank you for taking the time to read this. Hopefully this may help or give awareness that carpet beetles will in fact kill your Furbaby.

Peace & love.

Thank you ...and I too have finally figured out my babies have been tortured by carpet beetles/larvae/eggs etc... no vet seemed to care or know how to check for this... I found it... almost too late...

Pantherprincess · Sep 25, 2018

Also, if your cat is itchy andoulkimg out hair ... there IS a reason. Don’t put a cone on them...they are miserable. MAKE your Vet do a skin scrape and tape the fur to gather samples and have them looked at. Seek out a competent vet if they won’t help figure out the parasite or mites or insects plaguing your feline...or canine.

Pantherprincess · Oct 28, 2018

triplecheck said:
Hi. I just want to put this out there that my indoor cat who lived a super healthy life had passed away so suddenly & unexpected at the age of 15 years old - due to carpet beetles FOR SURE. Keep in mind, I have MAJOR OCD so my place is always clean (so I thought).

About 2 months before my cat got sick for the first time throughout her whole lifespan, all of a sudden she was sneezing, coughing, scratching/eating at her fur, balding hardcore & her fur somehow got infested with frickin teeny tiny little bugs which I'd thought were fleas. Her #1 spot in the house was in the corner by the balcony window, which I believe that is where the infestation began. So I vacuumed like crazy, corner to corner, floor to ceiling, doors/window sills (you name it), thoroughly washed her beddings, did all laundry, etc & basically flipped my whole place upside down! And mind you, I was cleaning because of these supposed fleas.

Anyways, so fast foward 2 months later, she out of nowhere decided to lay in the bathroom (I joked that maybe she wanted a bath because she hated getting wet) & couldn't eat/drink water (even though she wanted to but would spit it out because she couldn't chew/lick - to the point where I was spoon feeding her). The next day she let out a sad sigh of a sound I just can't explain, then instantly started wheezing & just couldn't breathe properly all of a sudden (as if she had something up her nose) after walking away from her spot back into the bathroom. So we took her to the Emergency Animal Hospital & right away she was incubated with oxygen, and no further testing could be performed because apparently her blood pressure wouldn't even read. But I personally KNOW 100% that the Vet was just being lazy because while I was in the room with all of the animals, an incoming call came in about a very sick dog & the Vet said, "Called it!" to the Technician who had answered the call to not have to deal with the dog when it is brought in (with her next day hangover makeup - no offense). And so by trying to discuss MY proper evaluation of my cat, and with the response of, "There's just no more hope for her.", the Vet went on to explain that it was safe to assume that my cat possibly had liver cancer (which I just couldn't wrap my head around) & said it indefinitely couldn't be "fleas" as much as I had insisted that this is how it all began.

Anyway, the Vet is just a whole nother story... She didn't even give us 2 seconds to say goodbye because sadly, we had to make the most difficult & quick decision to put our beloved down (but at the last minute I decided to take her home & that if it was her time to rest it would be with us at home so I didn't even sign the papers). So when the Receptionist went to go & tell the Vet, as she was exiting the room the Vet came back at the same time with our cat & said, "Ok we gotta do this like now because she's dying." ... Not even 2 seconds later she sticks the needle in her arm and our cat SCREAMED for her life!!!!! I am SO traumatized by it because she has NEVER in her life been hurt like that EVER! And I just don't understand that if she was pretty much dead already, how in the world would she have gained all that energy to let out a big scream like that?!? Has anyone ever experienced that??

The first thing I said all distraught was, "I didn't even sign the papers." Then she replied, "There was just no more time to sign them, I'm sorry." And I never saw the Vet again after that. In fact, the whole staff but the Receptionist were all of a sudden all huddled in the back for a meeting or something - it was weird!

And so after leaving our Furbaby wrapped in a blanket on that silver table, I just HAD to check her 'spot' again for the 10 millionth time when I got home. And there it was.. A freakin NEST of "fleas" feeding off of her fur & that surrounding area, later learning that they were in fact actually carpet beetles!

Now my question is:
Had the Vet considered my concern from the beginning, could death have been prevented?? Would've there been a quick solution? Is there a remedy or treatment plan for animals who get infested by carpet beetles?? Because not only do carpet beetles feed on materials but they especially do on fur! I am constantly blaming myself for my cat's passing because I feel I should have done better, even though I know that I did my absolute best. It is SO contradicting! Because to come home without my cat & to find that my intuition was actually right, I don't know.. I just feel that if I had "TRIPLE CHECKED" her spot than maybe I could've prevented her 'day 2'.

I don't usually leave comments in forums; this is actually my first time writing & signing up to anything like this. But somehow I came across this & just felt the need to respond in hopes that for anyone who reads this & can relate; whether you're an animal owner or lover or Vet or what ever, please consider triple checking (heck, check 20 million times if you can) & investigate the situation to the BEST of your ability for the sake of your Furbaby because they absolutely deserve that. And if you truly believe what you're believing in such as your own intuition; whatever the case may be, get a Vet on your side who listens & understands you, rather one who goes against you because YOU are your Furbaby's best advocate.

Anyway, thank you for taking the time to read this. Hopefully this may help or give awareness that carpet beetles will in fact kill your Furbaby.

Peace & love.

Pantherprincess · Oct 28, 2018

Thank you SO MUCH for taking the time... most Vets have no idea about caoet beetles or larvae. I e gone thru this for two years. Bless you for putting this out there. I perform daily Grooming’s, I think having them semi-shaved might help for keeping their fur down n a sanitary shave as well in the backend as they end up sitting on beetles too... I use a tissue to wipe away refuse there. Using DE lightly on kitties is a help... on tummies, under arms n hindquarters, necks n tails n up n down their backs n brush it in. I also add to litter box 1/2 cup n mix it in to kill the ones that get into litter. Scoops once a day! Thank you for this!! If ur kitty is scratching there is most definitely a reason!!!!!

Mykatiebaby00 · Oct 29, 2018

Hi, I know this is quite a while after your kitties incident, but I wanted to let you know what I've learned. This COULD be an answer as to why your kitty got so sick.
To start, I learned that I had a carpet beetle problem last July. It was either there for quite a while and I just didn't know and/or notice it, or it grew REALLY bad REALLY quickly. Long story short, I ended up moving into another apartment by October 1st-because it was so bad. I just couldn't take it. The exterminator my apartments use doesn't know very much about carpet beetles, and even if he did, I'm the type that when I have a problem with something I don't know a lot about, I research the heck out of it.
SO, in my research I found that the carpet beetle larvae have these hairs, and the hair "sheds." If you ever felt "zinging" or stinging sensations when you had your carpet beetle problem and there was nothing there, it was likely the larvae's teeny tiny (microscopic) hairs that get stirred up, especially when there is a lot of static electricity in the air. The hairs poke, or "sting" you.
I also learned that if you've had a carpet beetle problem for a while- and from what I read online, it says that you usually won't actually see an ADULT carpet beetle (because they are so tiny) unless you have a pretty bad problem. Basically, you've probably had the problem for a while and it just went unnoticed. (Like mine. No, I was NOT dirty or unclean. I am actually very OCD about certain things. Just unlucky!)
Anyway, if you've had the problem for some time, the larvae hairs can cause skin irritation, eye irritation (they can get in your eye and cause symptoms like pink eye- I know this for a fact as it happened to me), and ALSO you can INHALE the hairs and they can cause respiratory problems.
I'm wondering if it's possible that your kitty had some sort of respiratory distress or something from the larvae hairs...
You said she was sneezing a lot, etc., right?
Btw, that is ABSOLUTELY horrible, the experience you had at the Vet. I am so sorry you had to go through that.
I worked for a vet for a while & couldn't imagine doing business like that. Especially when it involved a euthanasia.
Also btw, I have a cat and a dog. When this all first started I took my cat to the Vet because she was scratching like crazy and had itchy bumps all over her. I asked if they thought it could be the carpet beetles and they said No.
I now think they were wrong. ESPECIALLY because one of the reasons I brought my kitty in, was because I noticed on the inside of her ear, near the tip, there was a bald spot that was a perfect circle.
Carpet Beetle Larvae eat things in circles. Usually quite large circles, but I imagine if one took a bite out of my kitty, she probably scratched it off pretty quickly.
My dog has been scratching like CRAZY as well. Actually, about 8 months before any of this started, she started licking her feet COMPULSIVELY, whenever we are laying down.
I now believe it is from ALLERGIES from the carpet beetle larvae, as both my cat AND my dog have problems and there are no other "bugs," or anything causing them.
Luckily we are in a new apartment, but unfortunately I think they may have larvae actually ON them or something (maybe burrowed under fur). I'm in the middle of investigating that, searching every inch of them, rubbing peppermint essential oil on some suspicious "bumps," and looking up how to get rid of it- if they are in fact ON them.
I hope this helps maybe explain what may have happened to your kitty. It may not. I just thought that maybe if I mentioned it, something may click, and maybe you'd have some type of closure.
Who knows, maybe this will help someone else!
=)

triplecheck said:
Hi. I just want to put this out there that my indoor cat who lived a super healthy life had passed away so suddenly & unexpected at the age of 15 years old - due to carpet beetles FOR SURE. Keep in mind, I have MAJOR OCD so my place is always clean (so I thought).

About 2 months before my cat got sick for the first time throughout her whole lifespan, all of a sudden she was sneezing, coughing, scratching/eating at her fur, balding hardcore & her fur somehow got infested with frickin teeny tiny little bugs which I'd thought were fleas. Her #1 spot in the house was in the corner by the balcony window, which I believe that is where the infestation began. So I vacuumed like crazy, corner to corner, floor to ceiling, doors/window sills (you name it), thoroughly washed her beddings, did all laundry, etc & basically flipped my whole place upside down! And mind you, I was cleaning because of these supposed fleas.

Anyways, so fast foward 2 months later, she out of nowhere decided to lay in the bathroom (I joked that maybe she wanted a bath because she hated getting wet) & couldn't eat/drink water (even though she wanted to but would spit it out because she couldn't chew/lick - to the point where I was spoon feeding her). The next day she let out a sad sigh of a sound I just can't explain, then instantly started wheezing & just couldn't breathe properly all of a sudden (as if she had something up her nose) after walking away from her spot back into the bathroom. So we took her to the Emergency Animal Hospital & right away she was incubated with oxygen, and no further testing could be performed because apparently her blood pressure wouldn't even read. But I personally KNOW 100% that the Vet was just being lazy because while I was in the room with all of the animals, an incoming call came in about a very sick dog & the Vet said, "Called it!" to the Technician who had answered the call to not have to deal with the dog when it is brought in (with her next day hangover makeup - no offense). And so by trying to discuss MY proper evaluation of my cat, and with the response of, "There's just no more hope for her.", the Vet went on to explain that it was safe to assume that my cat possibly had liver cancer (which I just couldn't wrap my head around) & said it indefinitely couldn't be "fleas" as much as I had insisted that this is how it all began.

Anyway, the Vet is just a whole nother story... She didn't even give us 2 seconds to say goodbye because sadly, we had to make the most difficult & quick decision to put our beloved down (but at the last minute I decided to take her home & that if it was her time to rest it would be with us at home so I didn't even sign the papers). So when the Receptionist went to go & tell the Vet, as she was exiting the room the Vet came back at the same time with our cat & said, "Ok we gotta do this like now because she's dying." ... Not even 2 seconds later she sticks the needle in her arm and our cat SCREAMED for her life!!!!! I am SO traumatized by it because she has NEVER in her life been hurt like that EVER! And I just don't understand that if she was pretty much dead already, how in the world would she have gained all that energy to let out a big scream like that?!? Has anyone ever experienced that??

The first thing I said all distraught was, "I didn't even sign the papers." Then she replied, "There was just no more time to sign them, I'm sorry." And I never saw the Vet again after that. In fact, the whole staff but the Receptionist were all of a sudden all huddled in the back for a meeting or something - it was weird!

And so after leaving our Furbaby wrapped in a blanket on that silver table, I just HAD to check her 'spot' again for the 10 millionth time when I got home. And there it was.. A freakin NEST of "fleas" feeding off of her fur & that surrounding area, later learning that they were in fact actually carpet beetles!

Now my question is:
Had the Vet considered my concern from the beginning, could death have been prevented?? Would've there been a quick solution? Is there a remedy or treatment plan for animals who get infested by carpet beetles?? Because not only do carpet beetles feed on materials but they especially do on fur! I am constantly blaming myself for my cat's passing because I feel I should have done better, even though I know that I did my absolute best. It is SO contradicting! Because to come home without my cat & to find that my intuition was actually right, I don't know.. I just feel that if I had "TRIPLE CHECKED" her spot than maybe I could've prevented her 'day 2'.

I don't usually leave comments in forums; this is actually my first time writing & signing up to anything like this. But somehow I came across this & just felt the need to respond in hopes that for anyone who reads this & can relate; whether you're an animal owner or lover or Vet or what ever, please consider triple checking (heck, check 20 million times if you can) & investigate the situation to the BEST of your ability for the sake of your Furbaby because they absolutely deserve that. And if you truly believe what you're believing in such as your own intuition; whatever the case may be, get a Vet on your side who listens & understands you, rather one who goes against you because YOU are your Furbaby's best advocate.

Anyway, thank you for taking the time to read this. Hopefully this may help or give awareness that carpet beetles will in fact kill your Furbaby.

Peace & love.

Poodles · Nov 19, 2018

Mykatiebaby00 said:
Hi, I know this is quite a while after your kitties incident, but I wanted to let you know what I've learned. This COULD be an answer as to why your kitty got so sick.
To start, I learned that I had a carpet beetle problem last July. It was either there for quite a while and I just didn't know and/or notice it, or it grew REALLY bad REALLY quickly. Long story short, I ended up moving into another apartment by October 1st-because it was so bad. I just couldn't take it. The exterminator my apartments use doesn't know very much about carpet beetles, and even if he did, I'm the type that when I have a problem with something I don't know a lot about, I research the heck out of it.
SO, in my research I found that the carpet beetle larvae have these hairs, and the hair "sheds." If you ever felt "zinging" or stinging sensations when you had your carpet beetle problem and there was nothing there, it was likely the larvae's teeny tiny (microscopic) hairs that get stirred up, especially when there is a lot of static electricity in the air. The hairs poke, or "sting" you.
I also learned that if you've had a carpet beetle problem for a while- and from what I read online, it says that you usually won't actually see an ADULT carpet beetle (because they are so tiny) unless you have a pretty bad problem. Basically, you've probably had the problem for a while and it just went unnoticed. (Like mine. No, I was NOT dirty or unclean. I am actually very OCD about certain things. Just unlucky!)
Anyway, if you've had the problem for some time, the larvae hairs can cause skin irritation, eye irritation (they can get in your eye and cause symptoms like pink eye- I know this for a fact as it happened to me), and ALSO you can INHALE the hairs and they can cause respiratory problems.
I'm wondering if it's possible that your kitty had some sort of respiratory distress or something from the larvae hairs...
You said she was sneezing a lot, etc., right?
Btw, that is ABSOLUTELY horrible, the experience you had at the Vet. I am so sorry you had to go through that.
I worked for a vet for a while & couldn't imagine doing business like that. Especially when it involved a euthanasia.
Also btw, I have a cat and a dog. When this all first started I took my cat to the Vet because she was scratching like crazy and had itchy bumps all over her. I asked if they thought it could be the carpet beetles and they said No.
I now think they were wrong. ESPECIALLY because one of the reasons I brought my kitty in, was because I noticed on the inside of her ear, near the tip, there was a bald spot that was a perfect circle.
Carpet Beetle Larvae eat things in circles. Usually quite large circles, but I imagine if one took a bite out of my kitty, she probably scratched it off pretty quickly.
My dog has been scratching like CRAZY as well. Actually, about 8 months before any of this started, she started licking her feet COMPULSIVELY, whenever we are laying down.
I now believe it is from ALLERGIES from the carpet beetle larvae, as both my cat AND my dog have problems and there are no other "bugs," or anything causing them.
Luckily we are in a new apartment, but unfortunately I think they may have larvae actually ON them or something (maybe burrowed under fur). I'm in the middle of investigating that, searching every inch of them, rubbing peppermint essential oil on some suspicious "bumps," and looking up how to get rid of it- if they are in fact ON them.
I hope this helps maybe explain what may have happened to your kitty. It may not. I just thought that maybe if I mentioned it, something may click, and maybe you'd have some type of closure.
Who knows, maybe this will help someone else!
=)

O

Poodles · Nov 19, 2018

Omg ESSENTIAL OILS ARE DEADLY TOXIC TO CATS!!! I have carpet beetle problems too and at a loss as to what to do. Already had exterminators in 3wks ago. I foster and my new foster is acting like a mop I think and bringing them into my bed. I think its the larvae and I must be allergic because of horrible itchy rash all over my torso (where kitten was on my bed) What do I do to get rid of them or I won't be able to foster again.
But ALL ESSENTIAL OILS ARE DEADLY TOXIC TO CATS they will lick and it can shut down their kidneys and liver and kill them. DON'T USE!!!!

Carpet Beetle to blame for itchy kitty???

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