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What is
notoedric mange?
Notoedric
mange (also known as feline scabies) is a highly contagious,
intensely itchy skin disease, caused by the mite Notoedres
cati. These
mites are closely related to the Sarcoptic mange, which causes
mange in dogs.
Notoedres
cati are found worldwide. While rare, they affect cats of any
age, breed & sex.
The
head & neck are generally affected although mites can also
infect the forelegs, paws & genitalia, especially if the
condition has been allowed to go untreated. The spread of mites
is believed to be caused by the cat's grooming behaviour &
also sleeping habits, as most cats like to sleep curled
up.
What is a mite?
Mites are tiny
arthropods (invertebrate organisms with segmented bodies). They
belong to the class Arachnida (with spiders).
There are
thousands of species of mites, only a few are a concern to cats.
Life cycle of
Notoedres cati:
The fertilized
females work their way deeply into the epidermis, forming
tunnels where they deposit their eggs.
Notoedres cati
spend their entire life cycle on the cat. The mite burrows
into the cat's skin. Along the way the female lays her eggs. Six-legged
larva emerge. After feeding, the skin is shed and the
eight-legged, sexually mature nymph appears. Following several
skin molts, the mature adult male is formed. The life cycle of
notoedres cati is completed in 2 weeks.
What are the
symptoms of notoedric mange in cats?
The first sign of
notoedric mange is usually intense pruritus (intense itching)
along with hair loss & a thick/crusty & scabby
appearance to the skin, especially along the tip of the ears. It
then progresses to the face & neck, & if untreated can
progress to other parts of the body.
Scratching the
affected areas causes the skin to become raw, red &
inflamed, which can cause potentially dangerous secondary
bacterial infections.
How do cats
become infected with notoedric mange?
Infection is
spread from animal to animal contact.
How is
notoedric mange diagnosed in cats?
Diagnosis is made by taking a
skin scraping
to
examine it under a microscope for the presence of mites or mite
eggs.
How is
notoedric mange treated?
There are several
possible treatments available for notoedric mange:
-
Semi &
longhaired cats may need to be clipped. Cleansing of the area to
soften thick crusts, followed by a weekly lime sulfur dip.
-
Amitraz
has been shown to be another successful dip, this product
hasn't been approved for use on cats though.
-
Ivermectin.
This is given by injection. It hasn't been approved for use
in cats, although reports are that it is safe. According to
the Merck website, it has been known to cause death in
kittens.
-
Revolution:
This product is typically a flea & worm product but has
shown to be effective on notoedric mange.
If
one cat in your household has been diagnosed with this condition
then all cats should be treated, even if they show no signs of
infection.
Can I catch
notoedric mange from my cat?
Yes, although in
humans notoedric mites only cause self limiting disease &
usually resolve without the need for treatment.
Please
note:
The
medical articles on this site have not been written by a
veterinarian & should not be considered a replacement for a
veterinarian visit. The articles are provided for informative
purposes only.
Always
seek immediate veterinary advice for any problems (health or
behavioural) in your pets.
While
great care has been made in the creation of these articles, we
cannot guarantee the accuracy or omissions on these pages. If in
any doubt whatsoever, seek professional medical advice.
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