What Causes Sarcoptic Mange In Cats?
Sarcoptic cat mange, also called feline scabies, is caused by a microscopic mite named Sarcoptes scabiei. Sarcoptes scabiei can infect animals as well as people.
Sarcoptes scabiei are burrowing mites in that the females burrow into the cat’s skin, digging tunnels in which they lay their eggs. These eggs evolve into larvae, then nymphs and, finally, into adult mites. These mites spend their entire lives on the cat. The Sarcoptes scabiei life cycle is 17 to 21 days. In addition to the sarcoptic mange, Sarcoptes scabiei can cause a variety of other skin problems for the cat.
Sarcopitc mange can affect any cat, regardless of its age. However, it is more common in young cats. It prefers to live on the surface of the cat’s skin and does not live very long if it falls off its host.
How Does A Cat Get Sarcoptic Mange?
Cats that live in close proximity to dogs can develop sarcoptic mange. They can also become infested from direct contact with other infected cats. The only way a cat can develop sarcoptic mange is by direct contact with an animal that has Sarcoptes scabiei mites.
Symptoms Of Sarcoptic Mange In Cats
The major symptom of sarcoptic mange in cats is obsessive itching or, as it technically called, severe pruritus, that does not respond to symptomatic treatment. You may see the cat not only scratching but also chewing at itself. You may also see papules or small, red bumps on the margins of the cat’s ears, elbows, chest, abdomen and hocks (ankles). These sores or lesions may become generalized and spread all over the cat. Other symptoms of sarcoptic mange in cats are patchy hair loss and crusty sores.
It is thought that these symptoms are the result of the cat having a severe allergic reaction to the mites. In fact, just a few of the Sarcoptes scabiei mites can cause severe pruritus, which can even persist after treatment, due to the disease’s allergic component.
If the sarcoptic mange is left untreated, the cat can develop chronic skin lesions with thickening and wrinkling of the skin, ulcerations and even draining tracts. Also, secondary bacterial infections are common due to the cat’s itching and chewing.
Diagnosis Of Sarcoptic Mange In Cats
Sarcoptic mange in cats is diagnosed based on three things. First, suggestive clinical signs – is the cat experiencing pruritis and has it developed lesions. Second, the vet can do a microscopic examination of skin scrapings, which may (or may not) reveal the presence of the sarcoptic mites. Third, how the cat responds to treatment - in other words, does the cat get better as a result of treatment for sarcoptic mange in cats.
Treatment For Sarcoptic Mange In Cats
Fortunately, sarcoptic mange in cats is easy to treat. One treatment your vet may recommend is that you bathe the cat weekly, using an anti-parasitic product such as sulfur lime dip (LymDip). You will need to do this for three weeks to cover the mite’s entire life cycle. Preparing this dip is very safe but can damage jewelry and porcelain. It creates a yellow stain on the cat’s hair coat and skin due to its sulfur content. The dip should be applied out-of-doors if at all possible and the cat should not be allowed into the house until it is completely dry.
Some vets have used a drug named Ivermectin to successfully treat sarcoptic mange in cats. However, this is an off label use of the drug so must be administered and monitored by your vet. The topical product, Revolution, can also be a safe and effective treatment for sarcoptic mange in cats.
Sarcoptic Mange And Humans
Sarcoptic mange is highly infectious and can be easily transmitted to us humans. This means that if your cat has sarcoptic mange, you need to make sure that neither you or any of your children come in direct contact with the infected cat.
If this does happen, the good news is that the itching will simply stop after a few weeks as the mites that cause this mange cannot live on humans as hosts – and will just die off. If you would rather not wait several weeks for the itching to stop, your doctor can treat the condition with various topical solutions, including permethrin (Nix, Elimite), lindane (Kwell, Scabene), and crotamiton (Eurax). The oral medication Ivermectin (Stromectol) is also sometimes used to treat mange in humans effectively. And you can use a topical agent such as calamine lotion to treat the itching.
In summary, sarcoptic mange in cats can cause the cat much discomfort but it is not a life threatening condition. What’s more, it is easy to treat your cat and get it feeling healthy and happy again.
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