The symptoms of mange in cats varies based on the type of mange your cat has contracted. Below are the symptoms of mange in cats for the most common types of mange to afflict your cat.
Symptoms of otodectic mange in cats
A tiny mite that gets deep into the cat’s ear canals causes Otodectic mange in cats. It takes only a few of these mites to produce a severe reaction that causes intense itching. As a result, the chief symptoms of otodectic mange in cats is scratching and violent head shaking. One or more of the cat’s ears may droop and the ear flaps may become red, scabbed, crusted and excoriated. You also may see that the cat’s ear canals have a waxy, dark brown, crumbly discharge that looks a bit like coffee grounds.
Symptoms of demodectic mange in cats
Demodectic mange in cats is caused by one of two mites named Demodex cati and Demodex gatoi. Demodex cati mite lives within the cat’s hair follicles while the Demodex gatoi mite lives in the outer layer of the cat’s skin.
Regardless of which type of Demodex mite infests your cat, the symptoms will be similar. Most of the time demodectic mange will be localized. The symptoms of localized demodectic mange include hair loss with scaly skin on the cat’s head, ears, eyelids and neck. These are called lesions and may itch and be red and irritated.
Generalized demodectic mange shows similar lesions but may also affect the cat’s body and its legs. Generalized demodectic mange usually comes as the result of some underlying disease that has suppressed the cat’s immune system.
Symptoms of sarcoptic mange in cats
A second form of mange that can infest your cat is sarcoptic mange, which is often called feline scabies. It is highly contagious and is caused by a tiny mite named Sarcoptes scabiei. The main symptom of sarcoptic mange in cats is called intense pruritus that does not respond to symptomatic treatment. This a fancy way of saying that the poor cat itches like crazy and that when you use normal treatments for itchy skin, the itching doesn’t stop.
Additional symptoms of sarcoptic mange include papules (small red bumps) on the margins of its ears, elbows, chest, abdomen and hocks (ankles).
Symptoms of cheyletiella mange in cats
While it is rare to find cheyletiella mange in cats, it is possible, so you still need to watch out for its symptoms. Cheyletiella mange in cats is caused by the Cheyletiella blakei mite. The most common symptom of this type of cheyletiella mange is pruritus (itching), which can go from mild to moderate, but is not as intense as that caused by the sarcoptic and notoedric manges. The Cheyletiella blakei mites are large enough to be seen moving around on your cat, which is why it is sometimes called walking dandruff. Another sign of cheyletiella mange is dry white scales (seborrhea), usually along the cat’s back.
Symptoms of notoedric mange in cats
Notoedric mange is one of the most common forms of mange found in cats. It is caused by a microscopic mite named Notoedres cati. The female of this type of mite burrows into the cat’s skin to lay its eggs. The symptoms of notoedric mange in cats usually start with itching and hair loss on the cat’s ears and then spreads rapidly to its neck, face and eyelids. The Notoedres cati mites can also spread to your cat’s feet and lower abdomen. This spreading generally occurs as a result of the cat’s habit of grooming itself or from sleeping in a curled up position. As the notoedric mange progresses, the cat’s skin will become thickened, wrinkled and covered with crusts. The cat will often scratch and irritate the skin which can cause secondary infections to develop.
In summary, the symptoms of mange in cats are relatively easy to spot regardless of whether the cat has demodectic, sarcoptic, notoedric or cheyletiella mange. So, be sure to keep on the lookout for the intense scratching, the papules, or the hair loss that is a signal your cat may have some form of mange.
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