One of the most typical causes of contagious feline mange is a mite known as Notoedres cati, proven right here below a microscope.
Getty Images
Mange is a pores and skin illness that may compromise a pet’s well-being, resulting in discomfort and potential well being problems. Though it’s a extra widespread situation for dogs, cats will also be in danger, which is why homeowners ought to familiarize themselves with widespread kinds of feline mange.
Dr. Christina Gentry, a scientific assistant professor in dermatology on the Texas A&M School of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, explores two contagious sorts of feline mange, notoedric and demodectic, and the way necessary early detection and prevention are in sustaining the pores and skin well being of cats.
What Is Feline Mange?
Feline mange is attributable to mites, or microscopic parasites, that create burrows within the pores and skin or reside on the pores and skin’s floor. The mites set off inflammatory responses that ultimately trigger a wide range of pores and skin issues, together with itching, hair loss, and discomfort.
Contagious feline mange is often attributable to two totally different mites – Notoedres cati and Demodex gatoi. N. cati causes notoedric mange – often known as feline scabies – to unfold simply amongst cats due to the mite’s choice for infecting cats.
“Notoedres mites typically only burrow into the skin of cats, so felines tend to get notoedric mange from other cats; this type of mange results in high levels of itching that leads to crusty skin and hair loss on the ears, head, and face,” Gentry mentioned. “These mites rarely affect humans but can with prolonged, direct contact, causing extreme itching and possibly a rash. Owners should speak directly to their physician if they have concerns about a skin rash that could be mange.”
Feline demodectic mange is attributable to an overgrowth of D. gatoi — a feline-specific Demodex mite that’s solely contagious between cats — on the pores and skin; cats that develop demodectic mange expertise excessive ranges of itching which will encourage them to excessively groom themselves.
“Cats affected by D. gatoi typically have self-induced alopecia, or hair loss, on the torso and proximal limbs (shoulder and hip regions), caused by excessive licking,” Gentry mentioned. “The licking may be severe enough to cause self-induced erosions, or open sores on the skin, and the skin may or may not be inflamed.”
Regardless of the precise mite, homeowners can work with a veterinarian to deal with the situation and forestall pets from inadvertently harming themselves. If left untreated, the ensuing self-trauma, marked by hair loss and open sores, can result in a spread of problems and decline in a cat’s general well being.
“N. cati and D. gatoi can predispose cats to additional skin infections and can lead to weight loss, lethargy, and decreased appetite,” Gentry defined. “In outdoor cats, skin damage from mites and self-trauma can increase the risk of developing ringworm, a common zoonotic disease in young cats.”
Veterinary Care And Treatment
With immediate veterinary consideration, homeowners can cut back the dangers related to untreated mange and forestall the situation from worsening. Gentry encourages homeowners to hunt a veterinarian’s steerage for thorough examinations and applicable diagnostic assessments to determine the reason for a pet’s situation.
“Mites are microscopic – you cannot see them with the naked eye – so if owners have concerns about mange, they should go to their veterinarian,” Gentry mentioned. “By collecting a scraping of the infected skin and looking under a microscope, veterinarians can check for mites or use additional tests to determine if the pet has a bacterial skin infection, ringworm, or different inflammatory disease such as an allergy.”
Beyond diagnosing mange, veterinarians are essential to the remedy of mange, as specialised medicines are essential to focus on the precise mite answerable for the pores and skin situation. Depending on the kind of mange and severity of the situation, a veterinarian could prescribe topical ointments, oral medicines, or injections.
“Nearly all the medications for notoedric and demodectic mange are prescription and for the few that are not, guidance on dosing and frequency should still come from a veterinarian to avoid adverse events,” Gentry defined. “There are fewer options for treating demodectic mange because Demodex mites have been historically more difficult to eradicate, yet certain prescription spot ons – topical medications that are applied to the back of the neck – have good success treating both types of mange, are easy to use, and have low adverse effects.”
Medications prescribed by a veterinarian will also be helpful for stopping mange.
“D. gatoi is contagious to other cats who are not on specific types of ectoparasite prevention (for fleas, ticks, mange, etc.), so the use of routine prescription ectoparasite control is one way owners can protect their cats,” Gentry mentioned. “The same spot-on products used to treat mange mites are also good preventatives. Keeping cats indoors also will reduce their exposure to ectoparasites.”
By understanding numerous mange sorts and in search of well timed and thorough administration from veterinarians, homeowners forestall the unfold of feline mange whereas making certain the well being and luxury of their feline companions.
