If your cat seems restless, appears to be constantly scratching and shakes its head frequently, there is a possibility that it is suffering from what is known as cat mange or cat scabies.
But what exactly is cat mange and how can you identify it?
What are the most common types of scabies in cats and what parasite (mite) causes each one?
And, most importantly, what is the appropriate mange medicine for cats?
Keep reading to get informed.
What is cat scabies? What is it caused by?
Cat mange is a skin disease caused by tiny mites (parasites) that invade the skin of otherwise healthy animals.
Mites cause skin irritation, resulting in itching, hair loss, and even inflammation.
All forms of mange are contagious, but cats in particular are highly susceptible to various types of mange, including otodectic mange, a form of mange on the cat’s ears.
Learn more about the most common cat parasites that can cause scabies in your beloved pet:
Sarcoptic Mange
Sarcoptic mange is caused by the Sarcoptes scabiei var canis mite and is often called canine scabies.
Although, as its name suggests, sarcoptic mange most often occurs in dogs, it can also occur in cats that come into contact with infected dogs, as mange is easily spread between animals.
The incubation period varies from 10 days to 8 weeks, depending on how severely the animal is infected, which part of the body is affected, the number of mites transmitted and the health of each pet.
Not all animals show signs when infected with sarcoptic mange mites, but usually the animal will have intense itching that comes on suddenly, alopecia, erythema, crusting and discharge. Because the animal scratches or bites itself to relieve the itch, wounds can be caused which in turn can become infected.
If scabies is suspected, your vet will perform a physical examination of the cat, including skin scraping and possibly a stool sample. If no mites are found, but the signs strongly suggest scabies, a trial treatment is required.
Treatment for sarcoptic mange should include all other animals that have been in contact with the infected pet. Examples of suitable medication for sarcoptic mange include spot-on products (Fluralaner, Selamectin, Imidacloprid/Moxidectin), sprays (Fipronil), chewable tablets (Lotilaner), and washes for skin lesions.
Notoedric Mange
Notoedric mange is caused by the Notoedres cati mite and is often called feline scabies.
It is a feline dermatitis, which is rare but highly contagious.
The life cycle of the notoedric scabies mite is similar to that of the sarcoptic mange mite (see above). Cat scabies is easily spread between felines by contact and causes severe itching, alopecia, erythema and scabs.
Scaly skin and hair loss first appear on the ears, head and neck, but can spread over the entire body. Your veterinarian will easily diagnose cat scabies by microscopic examination of a skin scraping.
Cat scabies are treated with spot-on products (Fluralaner, Selamectin, Imidacloprid/Moxidectin), chewable tablets (Lotilaner) and washing with keratinolytic shampoos to remove scabies.
Otodectic Mange
Otodectic mange is caused by the Otodectes cynotis mite and is often called ear mites as it affects the outer ear, causing inflammation of the ear canal.
Although ear scabies also occurs in dogs, it is especially common in cats, making up about 50% of ear infections in cats! Ear mites are usually found in the external ear canal, but are sometimes seen on the body, such as on the neck and base of the tail.
The infected animal will frequently shake its head and scratch its ears, with itching varying in intensity but remaining severe, even leading to self-injury.
If you suspect that your cat has mange in the ears, make an appointment with a veterinarian immediately. The start of treatment will quickly relieve the animal, while also prevent further problems (there are cases where the inflammation progresses inside the ear and causes otitis, rupture of the eardrum, etc.).
In the case of otodectic mange in cats, the treatment initially includes a good cleaning of the ear discharge and the use of spot-on products (Fluralaner, Selamectin, Iimidacloprid/Moxidectin), or chewable tablets (Lotilaner).
Animals that have come into contact with infected cats should also be treated for cat ear mange.
Walking Dandruff
Cheyletiellosis is caused by the Cheyletiella blakei mite which lives on the surface of the skin. This condition is most commonly known as walking dandruff, as the mites that move on the cat’s skin look like dandruff that “walks”.
Cheyletiella mites are highly contagious, especially in homes with many pets, and humans can also be infected by them.
Scaling of the skin along the back, villous dermatitis (in cats) and generalized itching are common signs of walking dandruff. To diagnose it, your vet will perform laboratory tests to detect the presence of mites or eggs.
If no mites are found, but an infection is still suspected, your vet may prescribe treatment to see if there is improvement, such as spot-on products (Fluralaner, Selamectin, Imidacloprid/Moxidectin) or chewable tablets (Lotilaner).
Any animal that came into contact with an infected pet should also be treated, and any bedding, carpet and other surface should also be treated because mites can survive on them.
Feline Demodicosis
Although the most common parasite of the “family” is Demodex canis which is only seen in dogs and is passed from mother to puppies during nursing, there are also Demodex cati and Demodex gatoi mites.
These mites usually do not bother their host, but they can cause demodicosis, a form of scabies, in cats suffering from another disease.
Demodicosis can be limited to one area on the head and neck, where it causes hair loss, or it can spread over the entire body. When demodicosis is severe enough to affect the entire body, it causes crusting and sores with pus.
In some cases of demodicosis, the only sign is an overproduction of wax in the ear. The severity of itching can vary, with D. gatoi more likely to cause intense itching than D. cati. Cats with demodicosis should be evaluated by a veterinarian to determine if another medical condition (such as diabetes) is present.
What do I do if my cat has scabies?
Firstly, calm down!
As we have seen so far, cat mange can be caused by different cat parasites, so before starting any treatment you need to know exactly which mite your cat is infected with.
The vet will proceed with a diagnosis by observing the mites on the animal’s skin and under a microscope and, in this way, will diagnose what kind of mites caused the scabies in order to prescribe the appropriate treatment for cat mange.
The treatment (medication) that the vet will recommend varies depending on the type of mange your cat has.
Finally, the vet will advise you if you should isolate your pet in order to prevent the mange from spreading to people or other animals that live in the same house. If the infection is severe, additional treatment with an antibacterial shampoo or antibiotics may be needed.
If you are worried that your cat has scabies, contact the City Paws veterinary clinic in the center of Thessaloniki to book your appointment. Our experienced team will be happy to serve you!