Types of Mange in Cats

Mange can manifest as several different skin conditions with varying levels of severity and symptoms, but they can all be traced back to the same root cause: mites. As these miniature but rapidly breeding insects essentially colonize the surface of a larger animal’s skin, they cause serious irritation and discomfort that can manifest as anything from minor itching to patches of permanent baldness and painful scabbing. Mites tend to thrive the most in wild animal communities that simply have to live with them. That includes bears, foxes, squirrels, and raccoons. Mange mites have managed to become so prolific because they’re highly contagious. In a habitat with strong bonds of interdependence and overlap with other habitats, mange can spread wildly. So, what about types of mange in cats?

Fortunately for pet owners, there are treatment methods for all known forms of mites. And fortunately for cat owners, felines are less likely to get infected than dogs. Despite infection being relatively rare for them, there are multiple types of mange in cats — and the effectiveness of different treatments can vary depending on the species of mite causing the issue. Proper treatment is important, especially if your cat lives with or regularly comes in contact with other pets.

Human skin makes a poor carrier for mites, but other pets can carry an infection a long way. Exercise caution before making any assumptions. There are seven known causes of mange in cats, but there are many more possible causes for itching and scratching than mites, so you should always refer to your veterinarian if the situation becomes serious. Here’s your guide to the seven different types of mange in cats.

1. Notoedric Mange (Feline Scabies)

Of the different types of mange in cats, feline scabies is the only one that can only manifest in cats. While the mite can travel on other types of mammals in the short term, they can only live out their full life cycle of 17 to 21 days on the bodies of cats. The intense itching caused by feline scabies starts at the ears and works down the cat’s face until it can expand over the entire body. Infection rates from one cat to another are incredibly high, and that means that pet cats who spend time freely outside are particularly at risk.

If you’ve ruled out fleas and other common causes of mange and you have multiple infected cats, feline scabies might be the next option to consider. Some veterinarians will treat feline scabies early after the discovery of symptoms since it’s readily available over the counter and safe. Fortunately, this type of mite is rare and only really appears in localized regions capable of sustaining the notoedric mites. In the United States, that typically means tropical and subtropical areas like Florida, Louisiana, and stretches of southern California. Kittens and cats with compromised immune systems are most at risk for feline scabies.

2. Sarcoptic Mange (Canine Scabies)

If your cat starts itching shortly after its canine housemate returns from the dog park, canine scabies might be to blame. A cat that gets this type of scabies will almost always get it via direct contact with an infected dog, but it can rarely be transmitted from a carrier source like a human caretaker or pet bedding. Depending on their species, breed, and overall health, many dogs or cats may have sarcoptic mange mites without showing any overt signs. For cats that do experience symptoms, they’re similar to those from a feline scabies infection. The irritation will generally begin around the chest or abdomen and then begin to expand outward as the cat’s scratching extends the infection and spreads mite eggs.

The best way to identify and treat sarcoptic mange is to bring your cat to the veterinarian. If the symptoms line up, they can take a skin cell sample to check for the presence of mites. Canine mange can travel across the body rapidly because the scratching only exacerbates the spread of the mites. If they discover the source of the problem is canine scabies, your veterinarian can provide you with a prescription or recommendation for an over-the-counter remedy to treat it. Be sure to never use a treatment designed for dogs and make sure the treatment is appropriate to your cat’s weight and age.

3. Fur Mites

As with feline scabies, fur mites are a diagnosis whose likelihood depends on where you live. Fur mites are common throughout Australia, Brazil, and a few American states including Texas and California. The symptoms appear quite similar to both forms of scabies, although there’s a particular tendency towards pets with fur mites to lose fur or have it take on a salt-and-pepper appearance. Diagnosis of fur mites usually takes the form of a tissue scrape and analysis, and treatment can involve everything from dips to sprays to injections depending on the severity of the infection.

4. Trombiculosis (Chiggers)

Trombiculosis refers to the irritation caused by an infestation of mite larva. Rather than live out their whole lifecycle on your pet’s body, eggs will simply nourish themselves until they mature and have an opportunity to escape towards the habitat that best serves them: nutrient-rich soil and decaying matter. Then tend to cluster at specific points of the body, though this can vary depending on the animal. Since these mites are essentially just riding your pet as one leg of a migration, infestation usually happens from contact with the outside world. Unfortunately, the only truly effective way to prevent them from returning is to more closely monitor outdoor activity.

Infestations from these mites will often pass without the need for treatment, but symptoms and complications can often continue past the point of infection. That means diagnosis and treatment are highly recommended even if you think you know your cat has been infected by chiggers. Trombiculosis treatments often resemble those for canine and feline scabies, though different prescriptions are usually applied depending on the species. In the case of a particularly serious infestation or one left unattended for a long period, prescriptions may be needed for secondary infections and self-caused wounds.

5. Ear Mites

The symptoms of ear mites can be easily mistaken for feline scabies. But while visible inflammation begins around the outside of the ear, the worst issues aren’t visible. Ear mites will typically retreat deep into the inner ear where they can’t be readily scratched. A cat suffering from ear mites will typically shake its head and paw at its ear, and pus may form on the outside of the ear in extreme circumstances. This condition is significantly more common in cats than dogs — potentially because of the accessibility of their ear canals — but it’s still relatively rare.

Ear mites can be a serious condition that can even lead to a burst eardrum if not cared for, but it’s not a serious condition to treat. Medicine is generally applied directly to the ear or as a topical spread over the cat’s entire body. Treatment can vary from cat to cat, but you may have to temporarily put in place a cleaning regimen for your cat’s ears. Any other animals that have come into contact with the infected animal should also be tested for the presence of ear mites.

6. Demodicosis

Not all Demodex mites necessarily cause Demodicosis directly. Almost all animals have some population of Demodex mites on their body, and they generally don’t cause any direct itching or irritation in domesticated cats or other species. But the presence of these mites can weaken the immune system of the animal whose body it’s inhabiting and cause a serious infection if it comes into contact with a kitten or a cat that already has a compromised immune system. Harmful species of Demodex mites, fortunately, can’t survive on humans.

Unfortunately, a cat’s response to this type of mange can cover a wide range of different symptoms. In the mildest of cases, cats with Demodex infestations might experience slightly more ear wax buildup. In more extreme cases, Demodex mites can lead to fur loss over the whole body and lead to potentially fatal infections. Treatment can vary depending on severity — but since Demodex appears most seriously in cats with existing conditions, medication should take into consideration any potential reactions or complications. For the majority of cats, a relatively easy and benign treatment like weekly sulfur dips will resolve the issue quickly and permanently.

7. Walking Dandruff

Flaky skin is the most prevalent symptom of walking dandruff, but diagnosis is complicated by the fact that it can also manifest as small bumps or a thin crust developing on the surface of their skin. This is one of the few mites that infest cats and can also infect humans, and it also transmits from one pet to another easily and quickly. Treatment is further complicated by the fact that animals can harbor these mites without there being any visible symptoms. Be sure to thoroughly treat any animals that come into contact with an animal infected by walking dandruff, and get a proper analysis by asking your veterinarian to take a skin cell sample.

Summary

Certain types of mange used to be untreatable and often led to the death of the animal infested. Fortunately, there are now highly effective treatments for all types of mange. They require a veterinary prescription so, if you cat is itchy, make an appointment with your vet.

Up Next…

• The 5 Ways Dogs Get Mange, and How to Help Them Heal Many animals can get mange, including dogs. Make sure you know how to deal with them if it happens.
• Coyote with Mange: What Does it Mean? What happens to wild animals when they get mange? Find out here.
• Can Humans Get Ear Mites From Dogs? If your dog is battling mange, do you need to be worried about yourself? Find out here.

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