Mange in Cats: Recognising and Treating Mite Infestations

In this guide

Mange refers to a group of skin conditions caused by microscopic mites, and India's warm, humid climate makes it a genuine concern for cats here, particularly community cats living in crowded colonies. The good news is that most forms of mange respond well to treatment once correctly diagnosed.

The main types affecting cats

• Notoedric mange, sometimes called feline scabies, is caused by the Notoedres cati mite. It is highly contagious between cats and is more common in subtropical and tropical regions, which makes it worth knowing about for Indian cat owners specifically. It usually starts on the ears, face and neck before spreading. It can occasionally spread to other animals and, rarely, to people who handle an infected cat closely, though human cases are typically mild and self limiting
• Demodectic mange is caused by Demodex mites that normally live harmlessly on a cat's skin in small numbers. Problems arise when a cat's immune system is compromised, allowing the mites to multiply. This form is rare and usually not intensely itchy.
• Ear mites, caused by Otodectes cynotis, are one of the more common mite problems in cats and lead to dark, crumbly discharge, head shaking and scratching at the ears.
• Sarcoptic mange, or canine scabies, mainly affects dogs but can occasionally spread to cats through close contact with an infected dog.

Signs to watch for

• Intense itching and scratching, often out of proportion to what you can see on the skin
• Hair loss, particularly around the ears, face and neck
• Crusty, scaly or thickened skin
• Small red bumps or sores, sometimes from the cat's own scratching
• A strong odour or dark discharge if ear mites are involved

Diagnosis and treatment

Mange cannot be reliably diagnosed by appearance alone, since it looks similar to allergies, ringworm and bacterial skin infections. A vet will typically take a skin scraping and examine it under a microscope to identify the specific mite involved. Treatment usually involves prescription spot on or injectable parasiticides, sometimes alongside medicated baths, and most cats improve significantly within a few weeks of starting the correct treatment.

Reducing the risk

• Keep up with a vet recommended parasite prevention product, since many modern preventives also cover common mange mites
• Isolate a newly adopted or rescued cat from your other cats until it has been checked by a vet, since several forms of mange spread easily between cats
• If you handle community cats regularly, wash your hands and change clothes before interacting with your own pets, since notoedric mange in particular spreads readily through contact

Tags: mange in cats, cat mites, cat skin conditions, Indian pet care

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