Has your cat been diagnosed with scabies? If so, it is important to remain calm. It is true that it can be very contagious, but it is also true that taking a series of measures and following the veterinarian's advice In the end, everything will return to normal.
Read on to know how to care for a cat with scabies and thus ensure that it recovers its health as soon as possible and prevent contagion to other animals or people.
What is scabies?
Scabies is a skin disease of parasitic origin caused by different types of microscopic mites (How to know if my cat has mitesThese ectoparasites invade the skin surface or the outermost layers of the cat's skin. They trigger an intense inflammatory reaction that causes severe itching, flaking, scabs and hair lossDepending on the species of mite, mange will be more or less contagious to other cats, other animals, and even to people.
Although it is not as common in cats as in dogs, can affect any kittenRegardless of age, breed, or hygiene level, especially if they have low defenses, live in a group with other animals, or have access to the outdoors and come into contact with infested animals or contaminated environments (blankets, beds, carpets).
Types of mange in cats
They are distinguished several main types feline mange, depending on the mite involved and the area of ​​the body it affects most intensely:
- Notohedral scabies: it produces the Cati notoedresIt's a form of scabies. more typical in catsThe symptoms are intense itchingredness, thick crusts, and general discomfort. The lesions often begin in head, ears and neck and they spread if left untreated. It can be contagious to other animals and, temporarily, contagious to humans.
- Demodectic mange: it is produced by the mite demodex cati o Demodex catIt can be localized, when the symptoms (itching, baldness, scabs) are concentrated in one part of the body, or generalized. It usually appears when the cat has low immune system or other serious illness which weakens their immune system. It is not usually contagious to humans.
- Otodectic scabies: it is produced by the mite Otodectes cynotis, known as the ear mite. Its symptoms are intense itching, swelling and bad smell in the ears in cats due to excess earwax and dark secretions (it can occur similarly to some otitis in catsIt is highly contagious among animals and can be transmitted through direct contact or through contaminated objects (blankets, beds, brushes…).
- Cheilethielosis or "walking dandruff": it is produced by the mite Cheyletiella sp. The symptoms are intense itching, redness, very visible peeling It looks like dandruff moving on the fur, causes hair loss in the affected areas, and causes redness. It can also affect other animals and, occasionally, humans.
In addition, there are other mites, such as those responsible for trombiculosis (chiggers), which, although not always included within classic scabies, also cause pruritic lesions and should be taken into account in the diagnosis.
Symptoms of mange in cats
Although each type of scabies has its own particularities, most share a number of characteristics. signs which should put us on alert:
- Very intense itching (pruritus), which leads the cat to scratch, bite, or lick itself compulsively.
- Loss of hair (alopecia in cats) in the areas where scratching is most common or where mites are concentrated.
- Scabs, pimples and flaking visible on the skin, which may appear red, hot, and inflamed.
- Wounds and erosions due to continuous scratching, with the risk of secondary bacterial infections and bad skin odor.
- Thickening of the skin and hyperpigmentation (darker spots) in chronic cases.
- In ear mange, dark brown secretions, abundant dirt, head shaking and pain when touching the ear area.
These injuries usually appear mainly around the ears, head, neck, elbows, groin, belly and chestHowever, if left untreated, they can spread throughout the body.
Veterinary diagnosis of mange
If we suspect our cat has mange, the first thing we need to do is Take him to the vet for an examination. and start treatment as soon as possible. Other dermatological problems (allergies, ringworm, flea dermatitis, fungal infections) can present similar symptoms, so professional diagnosis is essential.
The veterinarian will begin by performing a detailed physical examination, assessing the distribution of lesions, the degree of itching, the presence of scabs, alopecia or auricular secretions.
Most commonly used tests
- Skin scrapingsA small skin sample is taken from the affected areas to look for mites, their eggs, or their droppings under a microscope. It is also common to evaluate cases with scabs (My cat has scabs).
- Otoscopy and cerumen examinationIn cases of suspected otodectic mange, the ear canals are examined and the earwax is analyzed to identify ear mites.
- Biopsies or histopathologyIn complicated cases or generalized demodectic mange, deeper skin samples may be necessary to confirm the diagnosis.
Sometimes, even if the mites are not clearly visible, the veterinarian can perform a trial treatment and assess the cat's clinical response to confirm the suspicion of mange.
How to care for a cat with scabies?
Veterinary and home treatment
To help the cat get better, the veterinarian may recommend different treatments. deworming drugs in the form of pipettes, tablets, injections, or specific shampoos. Spot-on pipettes are a type of small plastic bottle containing the liquid that will eliminate the parasites from the skin. A [medication/treatment] may also be prescribed. antibacterial or acaricidal shampoo And, if there is a secondary infection, antibiotics or anti-inflammatories to control pain and itching.
It's fundamental Do not self-medicate your cat Do not use antiparasitic products intended for dogs or other species without supervision, as some can be toxic to cats. Likewise, treatments must be followed. until the endeven if the cat seems to be getting better, to avoid relapses.
At home we can also give him some supportive remediesalways as a complement to veterinary treatment and never as a substitute:
- Olive oilApply sparingly to the affected areas, following the professional's instructions. It can help soften scabs and encourage the removal of some mites and their eggs, improving skin hydration.
- Neem oilIt is a traditional remedy with acaricidal and antibacterial properties, which also helps to regenerate the skinIt is mixed in equal parts with olive oil and applied to the affected areas, always after consulting with the veterinarian to avoid irritations or inappropriate uses.
Other widely used supposed home remedies (vinegar, baking soda, concentrated essential oils, etc.) They have not demonstrated real effectiveness against scabies And in some cases, they can worsen injuries or further irritate the cat's skin, so it's best to avoid them unless expressly approved by the veterinarian.
Keep it separate from the family
If you have a type of scabies that is contagious to humans or highly contagious to other animals, it is stay in a room Provide your cat with a bed, water and food bowls, a scratching post, and toys. This reduces the risk of mites spreading to other cats, dogs, or pets, and helps maintain a hygienic environment.
But be aware, just because he has to be in this room doesn't mean he has to stay alone. In fact, To help him recover as quickly as possible, it is very important to spend time with him.Speak to him calmly, pet him gently when the veterinarian allows it, and offer him plenty of peace and affection, always washing your hands thoroughly after handling him and using protective clothing if necessary.
Clean the house and control the environment
Regardless of the type of scabies you have been diagnosed with, it is necessary to clean blankets, sheets, the floor, furniture… Everything is great and frequent. We will use Hot water to eliminate any possible eggs that the mites may have left on the fabrics.
To clean the floor, it is highly advisable to add a little suitable antiparasitic to the mop bucket or use disinfectants suitable for animalsIn addition, it is advisable to:
- Wash at the highest possible temperature the cat's bed, blankets and covers that it has come into contact with.
- Vacuum thoroughly carpets, sofas and upholstered furniture, then discarding the bag or emptying the container away from the animal.
- Clean frequently toys, scratching posts and pet carrier of the cat.
In this way, we reduce the number of mites in the environment and prevent re-infestations once the treatment begins to take effect.
Prevention and long-term follow-up
Once the infestation is under control, it is important to maintain a good antiparasitic program External throughout the year, following the monthly schedule or frequency recommended by the veterinarian, and in environments with many animals it is recommended deworming stray catsThis helps prevent new episodes of scabies and also protects against fleas, ticks, and other parasites.
It is also advisable to:
- Go to periodic veterinary check-upsespecially if the cat has had demodectic mange or previous immune problems.
- Keep a good environmental hygiene routinely: clean beds, disinfected feeders and ventilated resting areas.
- Avoid the close contact with stray animals or with obvious signs of skin problems (scabs, bald patches, very intense itching).
This way, we can be sure that we are doing everything possible to help our friend recover quickly, and we will also be protecting the rest of the human and animal family from a skin disease as troublesome as mange.