How to Tell if a Cat Has Mange: Our Vet Explains (With Pictures)
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When people see their cat frantically scratching, their immediate, panicked thought is often: “Fleas!” And a lot of the time, they’re right. There are quite a number of reasons for a cat to be scratching, including allergies, infection, and parasites, with mange falling into the latter category. But how common is mange? And how do I know if my cat has it?
Fortunately, the condition usually referred to as mange is fairly uncommon in developed countries, but there is still some information about mites and mange that every pet owner should know, including one very common form.
What Is Mange?
When you think of mange, you probably picture a scabby, hairless feline, looking pretty sorry for itself. But ‘mange’ actually comes in several forms, and then there are a few other skin conditions that might look like mange. They range from mildly to intensely itchy.
Mange is caused by mites, and in cats, the most common forms are:
- Otodectic Mange (Ear Mites): Caused by Otodectes cynotis mites and results in thick, dark discharge from the ears, along with scabbing and hair loss around the head and ears from scratching. It is a relatively common condition seen in cats, particularly kittens or cats in shelter environments. Ear mites are relatively easy to eliminate once your vet has made a diagnosis, but they can lead to secondary infections and damage to the ear canal if left untreated.
- Notoedric Mange* (Feline mange): Intensely itchy, causing hair loss, scabbing, and sore skin all over the body.
- Sarcoptic Mange* (Scabies): Intensely itchy, causing hair loss, scabbing, and sore skin all over the body. Usually found in dogs, but can spread to cats in contact with infested canines.
- Cheyletiellosis* (Walking Dandruff): Scaly/crusty skin and flakey fur, particularly over the back. Moderately itchy, but some cats are asymptomatic.
- Trombiculosis* (Chiggers): Extremely itchy, affecting the head, ears, feet, or abdomen. Can be seen as tiny orange dots on the skin.
- Demodex: Not usually itchy. Is not contagious, but is an overgrowth of a mite that lives naturally in the skin. Not commonly seen in cats unless malnourished or immunosuppressed.
*Zoonotic (can spread to humans)
How Is Mange Diagnosed?
Depending on the location and history of clinical signs, your vet may make a preliminary diagnosis and start treatment based on physical examination alone, or take some samples to examine under the microscope. Getting the right diagnosis is important, as several skin conditions might look like mange, including:
- fleas and flea allergy dermatitis
- allergic skin disease
- bacterial infections
- fungal infections
Feline Mange and Scabies
When we talk about mange, we are usually referring to the condition caused by Sarcoptes scabiei (sarcoptic mange/canine scabies) or Notoedres cati mites. Although scabies is more commonly recognized in dogs, it can also affect cats and humans, making it a matter of public health, as well as pet care.
These mites cannot live or reproduce in human skin, so scabies tend to only be a transient problem, but health problems, living conditions, and immune status can have a significant impact.
If your cat has started scratching or has developed some scabs or bald patches, the best thing to do is make an appointment with the vet. Because mange can be spread between pets and humans, it is important to know how to tell if a cat has mange, so we’re going to go over some indicators.
How To Tell If A Cat Has Mange
Pruritus (itchiness)
The first and most prominent clinical sign of mange is pruritus, which occurs in most (but not all) cases. This is the result of a sensitivity to the feces produced by the mites, so individuals who have a lower allergy threshold are likely to be more pruritic than those who are less affected by allergens. Some cats will have no reaction at all.
Scabs
It is a common misconception that the spots, sores, and scabs that usually accompany mange are the work of the mites themselves, but in fact, they are the result of the biting, scratching, and chewing of the itchy cat. Therefore, the more sensitive the cat, the worse the clinical signs tend to be.
These sores and scabs usually first appear over the abdomen, chest, ears, elbows, and legs, but can readily spread all over the body if the infestation is not treated.
Hair loss
Cats with mange will often develop bald patches or a thinning coat. This is due either to the physical trauma of scratching and licking, or damage to the skin and hair follicles caused by the mites themselves. In the case of Demodex mites, hair loss is more often the direct result of the mites rather than scratching.
Secondary infections
Intense pruritus will often lead to severe self-trauma, which can open up the skin to secondary bacterial or fungal infections. In cases where the animal suffers from long-term or repeated infections, the skin can become so damaged that it leads to other health issues, and may even become life-threatening.
Ill-thrift
In developed countries, mange is rarely seen in pets unless they are exposed to wild or feral animals, including cats, dogs, foxes, raccoons, etc. Cats with severe mange are often underweight and malnourished or have concurrent health conditions. However, healthy, well-cared-for cats can certainly become infested with mites, and external parasite protection is always a good idea, particularly if you live in more rural, wooded areas where wild or feral animals are more prevalent.
How Is Mange Treated?
In most cases, mange can be treated with the same products that are used to prevent it. Prescription-strength flea and tick products will usually address the problem but may need to be given at a different interval, which your vet will be able to discuss with you.
In the past, treatment relied on powerful insecticide washes, which had higher risks of side effects and toxicity, so we are fortunate that our treatment options are now safer and more efficient.
Cats experiencing a more severe reaction or secondary infections will also need medications or shampoos to address these problems.
As mange is highly contagious between animals, all pets in a household must be treated for mites, even if they are not showing signs. As discussed above, some cats may only show very mild signs, or none at all, but will still likely have an infestation.
| IMPORTANT
Never use products prescribed to dogs on your cat. Most treatments for mange in dogs contain a chemical that is highly toxic to cats. Be sure to obtain separate products for your cats and dogs. |
What Can I Do At Home For A Cat With Mange?
Although there are no home remedies or over-the-counter products that will eliminate the mites, there are a few things you can do to improve your cat’s comfort while we wait for the treatment to take effect.
- Use an e-collar: if your cat is madly scratching their ears or biting at their body, an e-collar can really help prevent them from causing too much damage to themselves. They may not like the collar, but a sad cat is much better than one with severe skin damage and infection.
- Bathing: although a shampoo won’t get rid of the mites, it can help to relieve that itchy skin. Avoid using anything too strong or medicated unless recommended by your vet. Instead, look for something soothing like an oatmeal shampoo.
- Grooming: We know that mange can be itchy, so your cat will likely appreciate a gentle grooming session. If your cat has scabs or sores, avoid any hard or wire brushes. Instead, use a soft-bristled brush or grooming glove.
- Antihistamines: Because the pruritus caused by mange is due to a sensitivity reaction, antihistamines may help alleviate some of the itch. Talk to your vet about the right type and dose to give your cat.
Should I Isolate Affected Cats?
The contagious nature of these mites means that if one cat is affected, it is highly likely that all in-contact cats will be, and you should always treat all cats and dogs in the household. If you have any pets with health conditions, we would advise keeping them separate to minimize their risks of infestation but still treat them.
Can My Cat Give Me Mange?
Notoderes cati (feline mange) and Sarcoptes scabiei (scabies) can be spread to humans, but they cannot live and reproduce on humans, and infestation is generally self-limiting. Just as they do in cats, these mites can make us extremely itchy, resulting in similar sores and scabs. People with allergies, those on immunosuppressive medications, or with underlying health conditions are at greater risk of complications from scabies and should contact their physician as soon as possible.
As a general rule, most cases of human scabies occur in poor living conditions, where cyclical infestations are common. However, if our pets get mange, they can share it with us, so we need to be careful.
If you or a member of your family suspects they have been infected with mange, get in touch with your healthcare provider for advice. Treatment is often symptomatic, as the mites will not live for more than 10 days on human skin, but you may be prescribed a medicated wash or other treatments if the skin is severely affected.
Final Thoughts
Mange is a contagious condition caused by several species of mites. There are several forms, including ear mites, chiggers, and walking dandruff, but the condition most commonly referred to as ‘mange’ is caused by two mite species: Sarcoptes scabiei and Notoedres cati. Both mite species are highly contagious and can be spread between a large number of mammal species, including cats, dogs, and humans.
The hallmark of mange in cats is itchiness, scabs, and sores, though not all cats with mange will show clinical signs. In most cases, mange can be treated quite effectively with prescription-strength insecticide treatments. Left untreated, mange can lead to severe skin trauma and secondary infection, and can also spread to humans.
Cats that are routinely treated with flea and tick prevention are unlikely to be affected by mange, as these products also protect against mites. Mange is relatively uncommon in indoor cats, but not unheard of, particularly in rural areas. If your cat is scratching, the best thing to do is get in touch with a vet for advice and treatment.
Featured Image Credit: Casey Elise Christopher, Shutterstock
