Introduction
Scabies or sarcoptic mange is a skin disease caused by a mite parasite Sarcoptes scabiei. The parasite can cause mange in people, dogs, pigs, and wild animals such as foxes.
House cats do not get sarcoptic mange, but do get a similar face mange condition from a mite called Notoedres cati. Face mange starts on the ear margins and spreads to the face, paws and other parts of the body. It is also a very itchy condition. Flaky areas with hair loss are typical. Secondary skin infection may also result from extensive scratching. There is one reported case of Scabies in a wild cat (Ocelot) transmitted from a person, but this is extremely rare.
In cats and dogs, the ear mite Otodectes cynotis also produces itchiness around ears but lives down in the ear canal.
Diagnosing Mange in Cats
Your veterinarian can use diagnostic tests such as skin scraping with microscopic check for parasite identification to help confirm whether sarcoptic mange or scabies, or another form of mange such as demodectic mange is present.
Once scabies is diagnosed, your veterinarian will begin treatment promptly. Each type of mite infestation requires a different approach to therapy. The mite itself will need to be killed, and sometimes medication to counter associated skin infection and itchiness will also be prescribed.
It can take quite a while to clear up scabies, but with diligent care and early diagnosis, the prognosis is excellent for full recovery.