As a loving cat parent, there's nothing more alarming than seeing your feline friend in discomfort. Mange, or scabies in cats, is one such condition that can turn your fur baby's peaceful life upside down. It's a skin issue that's as irritating for them as it is worrisome for you. In this article, we'll tackle the three types of mange in cats: Notoedric, Demodectic, and Sarcoptic. In the following sections, we'll discuss the three distinct types of mange that can affect your kitty, provide insights on clinical signs, detection and treatment, and share valuable prevention tips. It's all about helping you ensure your cat lives its nine lives to the fullest, happy, healthy, and mange-free!
In This Article
An Introduction to Mange in Cats
Mange, a term that frequently sends whispers of concern through pet owner communities, is a rather prevalent issue impacting various animals including cats and dogs. But what does it mean? At its core, mange is a skin ailment triggered by tiny parasitic mites. These intrusive critters dig into an animal's skin or hair follicles, leading to manifestations like itchiness, redness and swelling, loss of fur, and commonly, wounds and skin lesions.
It should be understood that the occurrence of mange isn't a sign of negligence on the part of the pet owner. Even the most pampered feline can get infected with it. Mites causing this condition can come from multiple sources, including other animals or the environment itself.
Bear in mind that not all mange is the same. There are actually three distinct varieties of mange, each triggered by a different mite species and each presenting with different symptoms, life cycles and preventative strategies.
As we discuss further the topic of feline mange, we'll demystify these three types, aiding you in identifying, addressing, and potentially preventing these uncomfortable conditions in your cherished pet. Join us as we explore the hidden world of mange in cats.
1. Notoedric Mange
Notoedric feline scabies occurs in various geographical areas in the southern U.S., especially southern Florida and around the coastline of Texas. Notoedric mange is very contagious and can transiently affect people.
Notoedric mange mites burrow their way into the cat's skin, and female mites lay eggs within the surface layer of the skin. These mites can spread aggressively when left untreated but cannot survive off of the host (i.e. cat) for long.
What are the Symptoms of Notoedric Mange in Cats?
Cats affected by notoedric mange will have intense itching and often display behaviours like scratching, chewing, and excessive self-grooming leading to hair loss.
Skin lesions are characterized by thick crusts, which may sometimes be bloody, starting initially on the face and ear flaps. While the most commonly affected areas are the ears, face, neck, and front legs, the infestation can also affect the paws and spread throughout the body.
2. Demodectic Mange
There are two main species of demodectic mites that affect cats: Demodex cati and Demodex gatoi. These demodex mites are commensal (harmless) skin inhabitants of cats, and only under certain conditions do they multiply enough to cause a clinical problem. They are typically found within the hair follicles. Most often young kittens or immunosuppressed adults are affected by demodectic mange.
Demodicosis is a type of mange in cats where these mites proliferate and cause significant skin disease and this can be localized to one area or generalized, where multiple areas on the body are affected.
What are the Symptoms of Demodectic Mange in Cats?
This is where things get complicated. The two species of demodex mites can result in different clinical signs and we will outline the differences below:
Demodex gatoi: Common signs of this mite infestation in cats include intense itching, redness, and flaky skin on the back, belly, and limbs. Itching often leads to excessive grooming. It's worth noting that cats can be severely infested with D. gatoi even without showing any symptoms. The absence of itching in other cats in a multi-cat household doesn't rule out the possibility of D. gatoi infestation.
Demodex cati: Signs of demodectic mange in cats may include hair loss, redness, crusting, and the formation of blackheads. Itching may or may not be present. If the disease is localized, the lesions are commonly found around the eyes, head, or neck. D. cati can also cause an ear infection that is localized to the ear canals or is part of a generalized disease.
3. Sarcoptic Mange
The third variety of mange in cats is caused by the Sarcoptes scabei mite. This is an extremely contagious condition and can affect other animals as well, including humans (even if only transiently).
Sarcoptic mange is another form of scabies in cats but is much more common in dogs than cats. In fact, sarcoptic mange in cats is a rare condition, with only sporadic case reports documented in the literature.
Generally, cats acquire sarcoptic mange through contact with an infested animal or environment. Sarcoptic mites lay their eggs within the skin, and once hatched, the larvae migrate toward the skin's surface to feed.
What are the Symptoms of Sarcoptic Mange in Cats?
While some cats affected by this condition may experience itchiness, it is not a common symptom for many cats. Mites often cause patchy hair loss, scaling, and the formation of crusty lesions.
Affected areas may include the feet, sides of the body, sides of the chest, hind legs, the bridge of the nose, head, ear tips, neck, and tail. Some cats may also develop inflammation of the paw pads and deformed nails.
How is Mange Diagnosed in Cats?
Mange in cats is diagnosed primarily via a physical examination and skin scrapings collected from the affected area. Skin scraping is a dermatological test where a sample of the superficial skin is collected and examined for the presence of mites under a microscope.
Mange usually manifests as patchy hair loss, red skin, intense itching and scratching, or even more severe symptoms. The presence of secondary dermatological signs will help your veterinarian diagnose your cat.
Because a negative skin scraping test does not rule out scabies or mange in cats, your veterinarian may recommend empirical drug therapy. This means that your veterinarian may prescribe treatment for mange in cats even if the skin scraping tests are negative. The response to this therapy can provide a presumptive diagnosis of mange. If there is a clinical response, miticidal therapy should continue for at least 6 weeks.
What are the Treatment Options for Mange in Cats?
There are various treatment options available for feline scabies, including:
- Isoxazoline flea control products: Products such as Bravecto® are not specifically approved for treating scabies in cats due to the rarity of the condition, but they have been found to be effective in practice.
- Selamectin (Revolution®): Although this treatment is approved for use in dogs for sarcoptic mange, it is not officially approved for feline use. However, it has shown effectiveness in treating cat scabies.
- Moxidectin (Advantage Multi®): This is another treatment option that, while not formally approved, has proven effective in treating feline scabies and mange.
- Ivermectin: This was one of the first treatments used for feline scabies and is still in use today. It is usually administered via injection every 1-2 weeks for a month.
- Lime Sulphur Dip: This is another older therapy and its availability in North America is limited and is usually only used in cases where topical treatments are not effective or tolerated. The lime sulphur 2% solution is applied as a dip once or twice a week, without rinsing, and left to dry on the cat.
Preventative Tips
Certain species of demodex mites can spread to other cats, so it's important to limit interaction between infested and healthy cats. In households with multiple cats, it's recommended to assess and possibly treat all cats that have come into contact. Treatment for feline demodicosis does not require environmental intervention.
For the prevention of scabies in cats (Notoedric and sarcoptes), it is important to thoroughly check, isolate, and potentially provide treatment to all cats that have come in contact. While notoedric mites seldom survive away from the host, it is advisable to clean and disinfect associated bedding, combs, brushes, and collars using hot water.
Conclusion
In conclusion, mange in cats can be a challenging condition to diagnose and treat, but with the right approach, it can be effectively managed. The three key types of mange in cats - Notoedric, Demodectic, and Sarcoptic, each present with distinct symptoms and require specific treatments.
Demodectic mange is caused by two species of mites and might result in different clinical signs. Sarcoptic mange, while rare in cats, is highly contagious and can affect humans transiently.
Diagnosis primarily involves a physical exam and skin scrapings, but empirical drug therapy might be recommended due to the potential for false negatives.
Various treatments like isoxazoline flea control products, Selamectin, Moxidectin, Ivermectin, and Lime Sulfer Dip are available. Prevention is crucial, particularly in multi-cat households, and involves limiting interaction and potentially treating all cats that have been in contact. Bedding, combs, brushes, and collars should also be disinfected using hot water.
Understanding these key points can aid in the early detection, diagnosis, and effective treatment of mange in cats.
If you have any further questions about feline scabies and mange, please contact your veterinarian.