Sarcoptic Mange in Cats

Even if your cat looks like a walking zombie because its coat is matted and patchy, rest assured that it is not the undead. Your cat might have sarcoptic mange. One way to tell the health of a cat is by how its coat looks, according to Vet Info. Cats that have matted fur, or that are losing hair, might have sarcoptic mange, which is caused by scabies or mites. Besides the bad coat, if your cat is scratching a lot and is shaking its head, it could very well have sarcoptic mange.

  1. Signs

    • Recognizing sarcoptic mange early is key to treating this condition, according to Vet Info. Patchy hair loss is one classic sign of mange. The patchiness usually begins at the tip of the ears and spreads down to the head and neck. A cat with sarcoptic mange will scratch constantly. Sometimes the cat will scratch and bite its fur so much that the cat manages to pull out its own hair. The scratched areas of the cat will develop red bumps that resemble pimples, which will later turn to yellow-gray crusted areas.

    Suffering

    • A cat with sarcoptic mange is suffering. The itchiness is so bad that the cat can become distraught, restless and even aggressive toward its owners or other animals. Once you start treating your cat, its bad behaviors and suffering will stop. Also, consider that sarcoptic mange is highly contagious to animals, and humans can get scabies from the cat, too.

    Contagious

    • A person will know if she gets scabies from a cat if she gets small, red bumps on her arms, neck or waistline. People who get scabies will notice the red bumps within 24 hours after exposure. The problem will go away on its own in 12 to 14 days because mites do not reproduce on human skin, according to Pet Place.

    Can Worsen

    • If the cat is not treated, the sarcoptic mange will worsen. The hair loss and crusty skin bumps will spread to the rest of its body, particularly around the front legs and stomach. The skin will wrinkle and thicken. Some cats at this point may refuse to eat. This indicates the cat also has a bacterial infection, usually brought on by self-trauma, according to Pet Place.

    Treatment

    • Treatment for sarcoptic mange will last for three weeks, the life of the mite. If you have other animals, you will treat them, too, in order to prevent another occurrence. Several treatment options are available, which include bathing with a medicated solution, drugs, topical treatments and antibiotics. Your veterinarian will discuss the best option for your cat. You will also need to vacuum and wash all the bedding in your house to get rid of any mites that may have gotten there.

    Prevention/Solution

    • You can prevent your cat from getting sarcoptic mange by keeping it indoors. Contact with strays is a prime way for cats to get scabies. If you board your cat, make sure you choose a clean and sanitary facility. If you take your cat for grooming, make sure the groomers sanitize their tools before using them on your cat.