Mange is one of the most common conditions in dogs. However, it can rarely be seen in cats.

Mange is basically a skin disease which is caused by various species of tiny mites. It is important to know that some mange mites are normal residents of a cat’s skin and hair follicles, but, others are considered parasites.

That being said, it is true that all mites have the ability to cause mild to severe skin infections in case they proliferate.

In this blog post, I will answer the question, “What is mange in cats?” in as much detail as I possibly can and will share the causes, symptoms, and treatment of this disease.

So, let’s get started.

The Various Types of Mites

As I mentioned earlier, there are different mites present on a cat’s skin and hair follicles. In this section of the blog, I would like to go through them in detail to help you understand things a little better.

Let’s get started, shall we?

You should take your kitty to the vet to know exactly what’s affecting her and seek the right treatment for it.

Moving on.

The Causes of Mange in Cats

In this section of the blog, we will go through the various causes of mange in cats. The main cause of the disease, however, is the mites, as discussed above.

Let’s begin.

Now, let’s take a closer look at the symptoms of mange in cats, shall we?

Symptoms of Mange in Cats

The symptoms of mange in cats includes intense itching, restlessness, and frantic scratching. The symptoms usually appear after one week of exposure and usually result in patchy hair loss and a moth-eaten appearance.

The areas that are commonly affected include the cat’s ears and face.

Mange can affect humans in contact with the kitty as well. Usually, the mites cause red bumps, a rash, and look similar to a mosquito bite.

Diagnosis of Mange in Cats

The most common method used to diagnose demodectic mange in cats is skin scraping. Sometimes, the hair samples are also taken to help identify the specific mite responsible for the condition.

In some cases, a urine test is also taken to help identify other possible causes which are caused due to a disorder in your cat’s metabolic system and to rule out allergies or scabies.

The Treatment of Mange in Cats

The vast majority of cat mange cases tend to resolve themselves spontaneously.

However, it is the severe cases that need close medical attention and treatment. In this section of the blog post, we will go through that.

Let’s begin.

The very first step taken to treat mange in cats is to isolate the affected cat ensure that the condition doesn’t affect other pets or humans. Your veterinarian will prescribe a medication to kill the mites.

The medicine will be given as an injection, applied topically, or by shampoo and dip according to the type of mage your cat has. Your vet may also prescribe an antibacterial shampoo or anti-inflammatories and antibiotics to treat skin issues and ease inflammation.

The mites are killed fairly quickly but, you still need to wait a month to see the effects of the treatment.

Keep in mind that some insecticides, collars and dips that are labeled safe for dogs but, can be toxic to cats and some should not be repeated frequently, so check with your vet before beginning any treatment program for mange.

How Can I Prevent a Recurrence of Mange?

Don’t want your kitty to suffer from this disease? Here are some tips that’ll help you.

Summing Up: What Is Mange In Cats?

Mange is basically a skin disease which is caused by various species of tiny mites. It is important to know that some mange mites are normal residents of a cat’s skin and hair follicles, but, others are considered parasites.

The symptoms of mange in cats includes intense itching, restlessness, and frantic scratching. The symptoms usually appear after one week of exposure and usually result in patchy hair loss and a moth-eaten appearance.

You should take your kitty to the vet immediately if you think she’s suffering from mange.

Do you have questions? Leave them in the comments, and we will get back to you as soon as we can!

One Response

  1. I have two cats, totally indoor cats. I don’t think cats should be outside. About two weeks ago, they both started to scratch their self. Acting like they had fleas. Could not find any trace of fleas or skin rashes. Vet checked them very good, nothing. He gave them an allergies shot. They are still scratching. What do I do? Thanks

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