How to kill mange on cats

Last updated: 2019-07-19Author: Dr. Erica Schumacher

Document type: FAQs

Topics: Infectious Disease, Community Cat ResourcesSpecies: Feline

A dedicated TNR advocate struggles to find help for the feral cats and kittens coming in with mange. With felines often too sick for surgery, the search for a suitable treatment has been frustrating. Dr. Schumacher explores the problem and explains why there are no easy answers.

I am deeply involved in our county TNR effort. This county is approximately 750 square miles and has nearly 390,000 residents, meaning that we also probably have nearly 100,000 free roaming cats. My organization gathers grants to support local TNR efforts and in the last year we have begun to see an extraordinary number of cats/kittens overwhelmed with mange--mites so numerous, that some of the afflicted cats cannot open their eyes. Kittens are dying and adult cats cannot see to find food. When trapped for TNR, they are often declined by our surgical partners because they are not healthy enough to withstand the necessary anesthesia.

My local research has been a dead end because any suitable treatment suggested includes being able to medicate them with a topical agent twice before we catch them again for TNR. Ninety percent of these cats are hard to catch once, much less three times, so I'm in desperate search for another method of treatment. Are there any food additive treatments that you are aware of, even off-label medications, that might help us? Or are there any environmental treatments, such as spreading powdered sulphur in their colony resting areas that might discourage the mites?

Please let me know of any other avenues of research that I could pursue. 

Thanks so much for your help. 

Answer:

Hello and thank you for your dedication to improve the lives of cats in your community! Mange in cats in humid southern climates is often caused by the mite Notoedres cati. Infection with these mites can result in the severity of disease you have seen. It is certainly heartbreaking to see the devastating effects of mange on animals, especially those that don’t allow you to touch them for treatment!

Unfortunately, we don’t have any easy answers. Treating feral cats for mange presents numerous challenges: 

1. As you have found, treatment options are limited. There are no FDA-approved treatments for mange in cats, and while off-label options do exist, many require repeated administration. 
2. Topical treatment is often not possible unless under anesthesia for spay/neuter. 
3. Oral treatment is ideal but risks under or over-dosing or treating the wrong cat in a free-roaming area. 
4. The legality of treating unowned cats may differ depending on the state (i.e. is a veterinarian-client-patient relationship required for each individual cat or is it legal to treat a “herd” of cats?).

There have been some recent advances in ectoparasiticide options and one in particular stands out as the most feasible option for treatment of feral cats. The isoxazoline compound fluralaner (Bravecto®) is available in a topical form for cats and both topical and chewable forms for dogs; a single dose lasts for 12 weeks. Although it is off-label use, it has been shown to be effective at treating both dogs and cats for Sarcoptic mange (caused by Sarcoptes scabeii, a mite similar but not identical to Notoedres cati). Some veterinarians have reported success in treating cats with Notoedric mange using the chewable form in only one dose. Again, this is off-label use. Laws regarding off-label use of medications vary by state and use must be under the direction of a veterinarian.

In the circumstance of a feral kitten with severe mange, it may be reasonable to give it a dose of topical Bravecto and then house short-term until healthy enough for surgery. This is not a solution recommended for every cat or every organization, however. Housing a feral cat in captivity is extremely stressful and not many organizations are equipped to do so in even a relatively humane manner (large outdoor enclosures with ability to avoid humans during cleaning and feeding times).

Unfortunately, environmental treatment is not likely to help. The mites don’t live long in the environment; they really need a host to survive. In order to eliminate the mites, the host cats themselves must be treated.

Again, there are no easy answers. Increasing our TNR efforts to minimize the number of kittens born and treating cats as they come through for surgery may be the best solution we have at this time.

Thank you again for your question and for the work that you do!

Erica Schumacher, DVM Outreach Veterinarian  Shelter Medicine Program University of Wisconsin – School of Veterinary Medicine

www.uwsheltermedicine.com

www.facebook.com/UWShelterMedicine

References: 

Curtis, CF., Bourdeau, PJ., Barr, PA., Mukherjee, R. (2019) Use of the novel ectoparasiticide fluralaner in the treatment of feline sarcoptic mange Veterinary Record Case Reports 7: e000772. doi: 10.1136/vetreccr-2018-000772 

Matricoti I, Maina E.; The use of oral fluralaner for the treatment of feline generalised demodicosis: a case report; J Small Anim Pract. 2017 Aug;58(8):476-479. doi:10.1111/jsap.12682. Epub 2017 May 3. 

Taenzler J, Liebenberg J, Roepke RK, Frénais R, Heckeroth AR; Efficacy of fluralaner administered either orally or topically for the treatment of naturally acquired Sarcoptes scabiei var. canis infestation in dogs; Parasit Vectors. 2016 Jul 7;9(1):392. doi: 10.1186/s13071-016-1670-7. 

Fourie JJ, Liebenberg JE, Horak IG, Taenzler J, Heckeroth AR, Frénais R; Efficacy of orally administered fluralaner (Bravecto™) or topically applied imidacloprid/moxidectin (Advocate®) against generalized demodicosis in dogs; Parasit Vectors. 2015 Mar 28;8:187. doi: 10.1186/s13071-015-0775-8. 

You’re sitting on the couch stroking your cat when suddenly you notice patches of missing fur or scaly skin. Could your cat have mange? This condition is less common in cats than in dogs, but your kitty is at greater risk if she spends time roaming around outside.

Felines can contract three different types of mange, so the symptoms vary slightly. Here’s what to watch for and how to handle the situation if you think your cat has mange.

If you’re concerned that your cat might have mange, contact the experts at Germantown Vet online today for help! 

Signs & Symptoms of Mange in Cats

Mites cause mange, but the exact condition your cat has depends on which type of parasites have set up shop in your kitty’s fur.

Demodectic Mange (Demodex cati mites)

The signs and symptoms of demodectic mange include hair loss and patches of scaly skin.

The cigar-shaped mites responsible for demodectic mange make their home on many types of mammals with no ill effects. This means the condition is not contagious. However, if your cat is young or has a weak immune system, the amount of Demodex cati mites could get out of control, leading to demodectic mange.

Sarcoptic Mange (Sarcoptes scabiei mites)

The signs and symptoms of sarcoptic mange include skin rashes, patchy hair loss, and crusty skin sores accompanied by intense itching, biting, and scratching.

Oval-shaped, light-colored mites cause sarcoptic mange or scabies. This type of mange is highly contagious and can spread between dogs and cats. Sarcoptes scabiei mites can even transfer to humans, though their presence is short-lived on human skin.

Notoedric Mange (Notoedres cati mites)

The signs and symptoms of notoedric mange include hair loss and intense itching that starts at the head and moves down the body. Thick, crusty skin develops as the disease progresses.

Round, microscopic Notoedres cati mites only infect cats, so notoedric mange is also called feline scabies. The signs and symptoms are very similar to sarcoptic mange, and the condition is also very contagious.

What to Do If Your Cat Exhibits Signs of Mange

No matter which specific symptoms your cat shows, act quickly to get your pet the care she needs to make a full recovery. Follow these steps:

Take Your Cat to the Vet

The treatment your cat needs depends on her condition. Come to Germantown Vet for microscopic analysis of skin scrapings to determine which mites are causing your cat’s discomfort. Some mites are difficult to identify if they burrow deep into the skin, so visible symptoms also help with making a proper diagnosis.

In 90% of demodectic mange cases, the condition resolves itself. Otherwise, mange treatment may include topical medication, injections, prescription shampoo, lime-sulfur dips, and antibiotics to help heal secondary skin infections.

For mange treatment for cats in the Germantown, MD area, call us today at (240) 252-7467 or contact us online!

Schedule an Appointment

At-Home Care for Cat Mange

Because sarcoptic and notoedric mange is highly contagious conditions, you should discard your cat’s bedding and wash your own bedding and clothes in hot water and bleach to help remove lingering mites from your home and prevent re-infection.

You may also need to perform prescribed treatments at home, including bathing your cat with antibacterial shampoo and administering lime-sulfur dips. Some cats require a sedative to relax enough for bathing and dipping treatment. Your vet can offer advice about how to follow recommended at-home care.

Germantown Vet Diagnoses & Treats Mange in Cats

Even though mange in cats is rare, you can further decrease the likelihood that your kitty will contract mites by keeping her indoors. If you already see signs of mange in your cat or think she might have another skin condition, visit Germantown Vet for a diagnosis so you can begin the proper treatment.

Call us today at (240) 252-7467 to schedule an appointment for your cat.