Feline Mange

Feline mange referred to here is head mange or feline scabies, a fairly rare condition in cats and which is caused by the Noteodres mite (head mite) that only reproduces on cats.

The female mites burrow a few millimeters (that is a lot) into the skin around the head, and neck to lay eggs, which hatch and lay their own eggs. Their presence and activities causes intense itching that in turn causes the cat to scratch.

The scratching will obviously be noticed and it will cause the skin to become red, scratched and worse infected. Symptoms: hair loss and scabs, thick wrinkled skin and grey/yellow crusts form plus the symptoms of scratching.

Feline mange (head mange) is contagious and transmitted by direct contact and can infect humans (zoonotic). People will itch if infected. It passes in 2-3 weeks provided it has been treated.

For cats, treatment includes insecticide dips but there may be modern treatments - see the veterinarian.

Note: another form of feline mange is called demodectic mange, caused by the another mite, the demodex mite. It is very rare indeed in cats and non-contagious. The mite frequently lives on cats' skin. No symptoms are usually present unless the cat is ill when the immune system is depressed. It can be localized around the head, neck and ears and generalized (over the body).


Feline Mange to home page

Feline mange - Source: Cat Owner's Home Veterinary Handbook by Drs Carlson and Giffin

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