Mange is a type of skin disease caused by parasitic mites. It is rarely diagnosed in cats, but affected animals can develop painful and uncomfortable symptoms. For this reason, it is important to recognize the signs and symptoms of the condition so your pet can be correctly diagnosed and treated.
Types of Mange
Demodectic mange and sarcoptic mange are the most common types of mange in cats. They are caused by two separate species of mite which can thrive on the bodies of cats and other animals. Both types of mange can be confined to one area of the body (localized) or spread throughout the body (generalized).
Demodectic Mange
Demodectic mange can be caused by two different types of mite: demodex cati and demodex gatoi. Both types of mites are normally found in small numbers on healthy cats.
Demodex cati lives within a cat’s hair follicles, while demodex gatoi is typically found on the surface of the skin. Mange infestation occurs when a cat’s immune system is compromised and mites colonize the skin in large numbers. When this happens, cats can develop a variety of skin problems.
Demodectic mange is common in older cats with weakened immune systems caused by underlying health conditions. It is also often seen in younger cats with underdeveloped immune systems.
Both demodex cati and demodex gatoi are species-specific. This means that they cannot be passed from cats to other animals or humans. However, unlike demodex cati, demodex gatoi is highly contagious between cats.
Sarcoptic Mange
Sarcoptic mange is also known as feline scabies or notoedric mange. It is caused by the notoedric cati mite. Unlike demodectic mange, sarcoptic mange is zoonotic. This means that it is highly contagious to both pets and people.
Any cat that comes into contact with an infected animal is at high risk of contracting sarcoptic mange. For this reason, it is common in outdoor cats. Sarcoptic mange can also spread rapidly in boarding facilities, animal shelters, and other places where large numbers of animals gather.
Symptoms of Mange
Please visit your veterinarian as soon as possible if your cat displays any of the following common symptoms of demodectic or sarcoptic mange.
Symptoms of Demodectic Mange
- Hair loss and bald patches
- Scaling and crusting
- Redness and inflammation
- Itchiness
- Oily skin
- Sores
Symptoms of Sarcoptic Mange
- Extreme itchiness
- Hair loss
- Sores
- Red and scaly skin
- Scabbing
- Thickening of the skin
Diagnosis of Mange
Your veterinarian will ask you a series of questions about the onset of your cat’s symptoms and perform a thorough physical examination to check for signs of mange.
If mange is suspected, skin scrapings will be taken for microscopic analysis. It may be necessary to take multiple scrapings from different parts of the body to reveal the presence of mites, eggs, or larvae.
Your veterinarian may also recommend other diagnostic tests such as bloodwork and stool samples to assess your pet’s overall health and rule out other causes of their symptoms.
Treatment of Mange
Common forms of treatment for demodectic and sarcoptic mange in cats include oral drugs, medicated shampoos and dips, injectable drugs, and topical medications. Your veterinarian will advise you on the best form of treatment based on the type of mange and the severity of your cat’s symptoms.
If your cat is infested with contagious notoedres cati or demodex gatoi mites, it is important to treat all cats in the house and thoroughly wash bedding and clothing. This will help minimize the risk of reinfestation.
Prevention of Mange
It is possible to reduce the risk of your cat contracting mange by supporting their immune health. Always feed a nutritious, balanced diet and provide plenty of exercise to keep your cat happy and healthy. It is also a good idea to speak to your veterinarian about supplements and anti-parasitic medications that can protect against mange.
Finally, make sure to keep your cat’s environment as hygienic as possible and avoid unnecessary contact with animals that may be infested with contagious species of mites.
Image Gallery
