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Yes, cats can get mange. Mange is a skin condition caused by microscopic mites that burrow into or live on your cat's skin, causing intense itching, hair loss, and skin irritation.
While less common in cats than dogs, mange requires prompt veterinary attention to prevent serious complications and spread to other pets or people in your household.
Indoor cats can develop mange, though it's less common than in outdoor cats. Notoedric mange, the most frequent type in cats, spreads through direct contact with infected animals or contaminated environments.
Indoor cats may contract mange from new pets brought into the home, visits to boarding facilities, or contact with wildlife that enters through open doors or windows. Even brief exposure can lead to infestation.
Mange typically begins around the ears, face, and neck before spreading to other body areas. The earliest signs include intense scratching and small, crusty lesions that feel rough to the touch.
As the condition progresses, you'll notice patchy hair loss, thickened skin, and yellowish crusts forming on affected areas. Your cat's skin may appear inflamed, red, and irritated.
In advanced cases, the entire head and neck may become encrusted and hairless. Secondary bacterial infections often develop from constant scratching, creating an unpleasant odor.
Notoedres cati mites cause the most common form of mange in cats. These mites burrow into the skin's outer layers, triggering severe itching and characteristic crusty lesions.
This highly contagious condition spreads rapidly between cats through direct contact. According to the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, notoedric mange can affect cats of any age or breed.
Demodex cati and Demodex gatoi mites live naturally on many cats without causing problems. Mange develops when a weakened immune system allows mite populations to multiply unchecked.
Localized demodex appears as small patches of hair loss, typically around the face and neck. Generalized demodex affects larger body areas and signals underlying health issues requiring investigation.
Cheyletiella mites create a distinctive condition called "walking dandruff" because the white flakes appear to move. These large mites live on the skin surface rather than burrowing.
Less severe than other mange types, cheyletiella still causes significant discomfort through itching and flaking. The condition spreads easily through grooming, shared bedding, and close contact.
Direct contact with infected animals represents the primary transmission route for mange mites. Cats encounter infected animals at boarding facilities, grooming salons, veterinary clinics, or outdoor environments.
Contaminated bedding, brushes, and carriers can harbor mites for short periods. Kittens may contract demodectic mange from their mothers during nursing.
Immunocompromised cats face higher risk for developing mange. Conditions like feline leukemia virus (FeLV), feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV), diabetes, and cancer suppress the immune system's ability to control mite populations.
Notoedric mange can temporarily affect humans, causing itchy red bumps that typically resolve within weeks. The mites cannot complete their life cycle on human skin but create discomfort during their brief survival.
Dogs, rabbits, and other household pets can contract certain types of mange from infected cats. Immediate isolation of diagnosed cats prevents household spread.
Cheyletiella mites readily transfer between pets and people, making prompt treatment essential for all exposed animals and thorough home decontamination necessary.
Mange causes significant discomfort through intense, unrelenting itching that drives cats to scratch constantly. This scratching damages skin, creating raw, painful lesions.
The mites' burrowing activity triggers inflammatory responses that feel like burning or stinging. Secondary bacterial infections compound the pain and may develop into deeper skin infections.
Affected cats often experience behavioral changes including irritability, decreased appetite, and reluctance to be touched. Sleep disruption from constant itching affects overall well-being.
Veterinarians perform skin scrapings to identify mites under microscopic examination. Multiple scrapings from different body areas increase diagnostic accuracy since mite populations vary by location.
The diagnostic process includes examining skin debris, hair plucks, and sometimes skin biopsies. Some mite species prove difficult to find even when present, requiring treatment based on clinical signs.
Blood work and additional testing help identify underlying conditions that may have weakened your cat's immune system. At Oklahoma Veterinary Specialists, our Internal Medicine team provides comprehensive diagnostic services when complex health issues contribute to skin conditions.
Topical treatments applied directly to affected areas kill mites on contact. Your veterinarian may prescribe lime sulfur dips, which smell unpleasant but effectively eliminate mites.
Oral medications like ivermectin or selamectin provide systemic treatment. According to research published by the American Veterinary Medical Association, multiple treatment doses spaced weeks apart ensure complete mite elimination.
Injectable medications offer alternatives for cats difficult to medicate orally. Treatment duration typically spans 4-8 weeks depending on mange type and severity.
Antibiotics address bacterial infections that develop from scratching and damaged skin. Antifungal medications treat any concurrent yeast overgrowth.
Medicated shampoos soothe irritated skin while removing crusts and debris. These products support healing but don't eliminate mites without prescription treatments.
Wash all bedding, blankets, and soft toys in hot water. Vacuum thoroughly and dispose of vacuum bags immediately to prevent mite re-infestation.
Disinfect hard surfaces, carriers, and grooming tools. Replace items that cannot be adequately cleaned, particularly shared brushes and combs.
Treat all household pets simultaneously, even those showing no symptoms. Mites can survive on asymptomatic carriers, leading to reinfection cycles.
Most cats show improvement within 1-2 weeks of starting treatment. Complete mite elimination typically requires 4-8 weeks of consistent medication.
Skin healing continues after mites die, with hair regrowth taking several additional weeks. Severely affected areas may show permanent scarring or altered hair patterns.
Follow-up skin scrapings confirm successful treatment. Premature treatment discontinuation allows surviving mites to repopulate, creating treatment-resistant infestations.
Seek immediate care if your cat develops difficulty breathing, facial swelling, or signs of severe allergic reaction to mange or treatments. These symptoms require urgent intervention.
Extensive skin infection with fever, lethargy, or loss of appetite signals serious complications. Cats refusing food or water for 24 hours need prompt evaluation.
Oklahoma Veterinary Specialists provides 24/7 emergency care for complications related to mange and other serious conditions. Our emergency veterinarians evaluate urgent cases immediately, without appointment.
Regular veterinary examinations detect early signs before mange spreads extensively. Annual wellness visits allow your primary veterinarian to monitor skin health.
Limit contact with stray or unknown animals. Outdoor access increases exposure risk to infected wildlife and feral cats.
Maintain your cat's overall health through proper nutrition and prompt treatment of underlying conditions. Strong immune systems naturally control mite populations.
Quarantine new pets before introducing them to resident cats. A veterinary examination ensures new animals are mange-free and protects your existing pets.
Provide a quiet, comfortable space away from other pets during treatment. Stress reduction supports healing and prevents disease spread.
Prevent scratching with an Elizabethan collar if your cat damages skin through excessive scratching. This allows skin to heal between treatment applications.
Monitor appetite and water intake carefully. Cats experiencing significant discomfort may need encouragement to maintain normal eating and drinking habits.
Keep treatment schedules consistent. Missing doses or stopping early creates treatment failure and may allow mite populations to recover.
Most cats fully recover from mange with appropriate treatment. Hair regrows, skin heals, and normal quality of life returns within weeks to months.
Cats with underlying immune system problems may experience recurrent mange. Ongoing management of these conditions prevents future episodes.
Early intervention produces the best outcomes. Oklahoma pet owners who notice skin changes should contact their primary veterinarian promptly for evaluation.
Your primary care veterinarian serves as your first resource for mange diagnosis and treatment. They know your cat's health history and can provide ongoing care.
For complex cases involving immune system dysfunction or treatment-resistant mange, board-certified Internal Medicine specialists offer advanced diagnostic capabilities. Oklahoma Veterinary Specialists works collaboratively with your primary veterinarian to provide specialized care when needed.
Clear communication with your veterinary team ensures treatment success. Report any concerns, side effects, or lack of improvement promptly.
Mange in cats requires professional treatment but responds well to appropriate medication when caught early. Oklahoma pet owners who notice skin changes, excessive scratching, or hair loss should contact their veterinarian for prompt evaluation and care.
Oklahoma Veterinary Specialists delivers 24-hour emergency care and board-certified specialty services with advanced technology and compassionate treatment.
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