What to do if your cat has mange

Various types of feline mange are caused by different species of mites. Feline mange leads to symptoms such as intense itching, hair loss, and skin thickening or crusting. Treatment for mange can vary based on the type, but it usually involves antiparasitic treatments from a veterinarian. Continue reading to discover:

• Types of mange in cats
• Symptoms of mange in cats
• How mange in cats is diagnosed
• How to treat mange in cats

Some types of feline mange are highly contagious between animals, so prompt treatment from a veterinarian is important. Prompt treatment also prevents secondary infections and trauma to the skin from scratching. If left untreated for a long period of time, some forms of feline mange can become life-threatening.

Mange refers to skin conditions caused by various types of mites and causes symptoms such as hair loss, itchiness, and crusty skin. There are different types of feline mange that are caused by different species of mites.

Otodectic mange (ear mites)

Otodectic mange, also known as an ear mite infestation, is a common type of mange in cats that primarily affects the ears. Ear mites, or Otodectes cynotis mites, inhabit a cat’s ear canal and survive by eating skin oils and wax. Otodectic mange is highly contagious and spread by direct contact with an affected animal. Ear mites in cats are typically not dangerous but can progress to cause damage to the eardrums, outer ears, and face if they are not treated properly. The prognosis is usually very good with effective treatment.

Demodectic mange (feline demodicosis)

Demodectic mange in cats can be caused by more than one species of mites. The most common species of Demodex mites, Demodex cati, is naturally found in a cat’s hair follicles and on the surface of the skin. Normally present in small amounts, Demodex cati mites do not usually cause illness unless the cat’s immune system is compromised, allowing the mite population to grow unchecked and leading to mange symptoms. Cats can also get two other species of Demodex mites that are highly contagious between cats and frequently lead to skin disease. The prognosis of demodectic mange varies based on the type of mite involved. The prognosis for mange caused by Demodex cati depends on the underlying health condition causing the compromised immune system. Other types of demodectic mange have a good prognosis when properly treated.

Scabies in cats

Scabies in cats can be caused by two different kinds of mites:

• Notoedres cati known as feline scabies or notoedric mange
• Sarcoptes scabiei known as canine scabies or sarcoptic mange

Both types of scabies are highly contagious and spread quickly between different animal species. The severity of scabies in cats can vary depending on the number of scabies mites present and the state of the cat’s immune system. Notoedres cati mite infestations, or feline scabies, are rare in cats except in certain regional hotbeds of infection. Sarcoptic mange, or canine scabies, is more common in dogs than cats but can easily be spread to cats if they have direct contact with infected dogs.

All types of mange result in hair loss, but other symptoms may vary. The location of hair loss and severity of skin symptoms can also vary between types of mange and how severe a cat’s mange is. Symptoms of ear mite infestations in cats include:

• Itchy ears
• Dark ear discharge and wax accumulation
• Foul-smelling ears
• Hair loss around the ears
• Red, inflamed ear canals
• Damage to the face and ears from scratching

Trauma from scratching at the ears can also lead to secondary ear infections, which can result in ear discharge, a foul odor, and crusty skin.

Clinical signs of demodectic mange in cats include:

• Patchy hair loss on the body
• Itchy skin
• Skin crusting
• Overgrooming

Cats with demodectic mange usually aren’t severely itchy, but those with scabies are.

Common signs of scabies in cats include:

• Severe itching
• Hair loss, often beginning near the ears
• Thickening or crusting of the skin

All types of mange in cats causing itchiness can lead to secondary skin infections due to excessive scratching. Clinical signs of secondary fungal or bacterial infections of the skin include:

• Oozing or bleeding skin
• Open sores on the skin
• Red, inflamed skin
• Foul skin odor

“It’s important for pet parents to remember that not all hair loss in cats is a result of mange,” explains Dr. Jo Myers, a vet on the Vetster platform. “Flea allergy dermatitis and other allergic skin disorders are much more common. Talk to a veterinarian if a cat is experiencing hair loss for an accurate diagnosis and proper treatment.”

How do cats get mange?

Scabies and ear mites are both highly contagious diseases that are spread primarily through direct contact with an infected animal. Sarcoptic mange mites can spread through the environment as well, but this is less common. Demodectic mange mites are not as capable of surviving off their host and usually require direct contact for transmission.

Indoor-only cats who don’t come into contact with other cats are less likely to catch contagious types of mange. However, they can still be exposed to disease-causing mites from other animals in the home that have contact with other animals, such as dogs. Since it takes a long time to fully eliminate a mite infestation, it’s common for shelter cats and kittens to still have ear mites and end up exposing the other pets in their new households when they are adopted.

Demodectic mange caused by an overpopulation of Demodex cati mites develops when a cat’s immune system cannot control the number of mites that naturally live in their hair follicles. This type of demodectic mange usually does not spread from one animal to another, and the underlying health issue must be addressed before the mange can be fully treated.

When a cat presents with itchiness and other symptoms affecting the skin, a veterinarian will likely begin the diagnostic process with a physical exam and looking at a skin scraping under a microscope. Microscopic mites and eggs can be seen on a skin scrape, as well as bacteria and yeast that may be causing a skin infection. False negative skin scrape results are common with some species of mites. If a veterinarian does not see mites but suspects them based on a cat’s symptoms, a therapeutic trial of an anti-parasite treatment may be recommended. If symptoms go away after the medication is given, the culprit is likely an external parasite such as mites or fleas.

Additional diagnostic tests may be recommended to rule out an underlying immunosuppressive illness, especially if a cat’s mange is being caused by Demodex cati mites. Testing may include:

• Bloodwork, including testing for feline leukemia and feline immunodeficiency virus
• Imaging, such as X-rays or ultrasounds
• Urinalysis

Mange in cats is treated with antiparasitic medications. A definitive diagnosis is not always needed to treat mites in cats because false negatives can occur with diagnostic skin scrapes and many broad-spectrum antiparasitic medications are effective against multiple mite species as well as fleas and ticks. A therapeutic trial of medication may be recommended if a vet suspects a cat has mange or another external parasite despite negative test results. In addition to oral or topical treatment for parasites, mange treatment options can include:

• Anti-itch medications
• Medicated baths
• Antibiotics for secondary skin or ear infections
• Treatment of underlying health conditions
• Treating any injuries to the face, ears, or body from scratching

In cases of scabies and ear mites, all animals in the home who have contact with the infected cat must be treated, even if they are not showing symptoms. These conditions are highly contagious, and successful elimination of the mite population usually takes at least several weeks. Mite eggs are difficult or impossible to kill, so repeated treatment is necessary as they continue to hatch. When treating noncontagious demodectic mites, there may be an underlying medical condition that also needs to be addressed. Some cases are idiopathic and have no known underlying cause.

Do not attempt to treat a cat for mange at home without consulting a veterinarian. Misdiagnosis is common, and other conditions that can cause similar symptoms, such as flea allergy dermatitis, skin infections, and ringworm, are usually more likely. Delaying an accurate diagnosis and proper treatment increases the risk of mange spreading across the body or to other animals. In addition, the risk of injuries and secondary infections increases when treatment is delayed. Using a non-vet-recommended parasite-control product can be very dangerous for cats. Many over-the-counter products for parasites are toxic to cats.

Is mange an emergency?

Most cases of mange in cats are not emergencies but should receive prompt medical attention. Treating mange relieves unpleasant symptoms, prevents secondary infections and injuries, and prevents the mange from getting worse or spreading to another animal. Demodectic mange may need prompt treatment to identify the underlying cause of the lowered immune system. Untreated mange can become life-threatening. In addition, scabies can be spread to people in contact with the infected cat.

Talk to a veterinarian whenever you notice changes in your cat’s skin, fur, or behavior. There are many skin conditions that can cause itchiness and hair loss, such as:

• Mange
• Flea allergy dermatitis
• Skin infections
• Ringworm

Each condition has a different treatment plan and needs to be diagnosed by a veterinarian. Promptly getting a diagnosis and treatment from a vet for a cat’s mange helps prevent the disease from spreading to other animals or people. If your cat has itchiness, hair loss, or other skin problems, an online vet is available to help offer advice on the Vetster platform.

How do I know if my cat has mange?

Symptoms of mange in cats include itchiness, patches of hair loss, and changes to the skin, such as thickened or crusty skin. Many conditions can cause these symptoms, so a veterinarian's diagnosis is needed to determine whether a cat has mange.

What happens if mange goes untreated in cats?

Some types of mange can become severe if untreated, covering the entire body and becoming life-threatening over time. In addition, untreated mange easily spreads to other animals, and people can also be affected by scabies. It’s important to seek medical attention when a cat is experiencing symptoms such as hair loss and itchiness.

What causes mange in indoor cats?

Mange is caused by parasitic mites on the skin, in the ears, or in hair follicles. Most species of mites that cause mange are highly contagious. Mites can easily spread from a dog or other outdoor animal to an indoor cat, leading to mange symptoms. Many indoor cats are exposed to otodectic mange, or ear mites, when they are introduced to a new cat or kitten who happens to be infected.