Mange in Cats: 2025 Vet Insights 🐱🛁

Hello, I’m Dr Duncan Houston BVSc, feline veterinarian and founder of Ask A Vet. Though more common in dogs, cats can also develop mange—parasitic skin infestations that cause itching, hair loss, and discomfort. In this 2025 guide, you’ll learn about the types of mite infestations, clinical signs, diagnostics, treatment, prevention, and how telehealth tools like Ask A Vet, Woopf, and Purrz can support your cat’s recovery at home. Let’s help your cat’s skin heal and soothe those itchy days! 💙

📌 What Is Mange?

Mange refers to skin disease caused by microscopic mites that either burrow into or live on the skin. In cats, the most common types are:

• Notoedric mange (feline scabies)—caused by Notoedres cati, highly contagious and intensely pruritic :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}.
• Demodectic mange—from Demodex mites (e.g., D. cati, D. gatoi), often secondary to immune suppression :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}.
• Cheyletiellosis (“walking dandruff”)—caused by Cheyletiella mites :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}.
• Occasionally scabies from dogs (Sarcoptes scabiei), ear mites (Otodectes cynotis), or trombiculosis (chiggers).

⚠️ Why It Matters

• Mange often leads to intense itching, self-trauma, crusts, hair loss, and secondary infections :contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6}.
• Some types (e.g., N. cati, Cheyletiella) are contagious to other pets and even people :contentReference[oaicite:7]{index=7}.
• Untreated, these conditions can cause prolonged suffering and dermatologic damage.

👥 Who’s at Risk?

• Outdoor or multi-cat household cats—especially kittens or those with immune issues.
• Cats with underlying disease, stress or on immunosuppressive medications—prone to demodex overgrowth :contentReference[oaicite:8]{index=8}.
• Cats exposed to infected animals or contaminated items (e.g., bedding, brushes).

🔍 Signs & Symptoms

• Severe itching, scratching, and restlessness.
• Hair loss—often around ears, face, neck, and paws.
• Crusty, scaly, inflamed skin—especially with notoedric mange :contentReference[oaicite:9]{index=9}.
• "Walking dandruff" flakiness with Cheyletiella :contentReference[oaicite:10]{index=10}.
• Ear debris/head shaking from ear mites.
• Possible secondary skin infections (sores, hot spots) :contentReference[oaicite:11]{index=11}.

🔬 Diagnosing Mange

1. History & exam: Ask about outdoor exposure and onset of crusts/itching.
2. Skin scrapings: Deep for Notoedres or Demodex cati; superficial for Cheyletiella and Notoedres :contentReference[oaicite:12]{index=12}.
3. Tape test: Useful for surface mites and Cheyletiella.
4. Ear swab: For ear mites.
5. Diagnostic treatment: Sometimes treatment is given even if mites are not found due to diagnostic challenges :contentReference[oaicite:13]{index=13}.
6. Skin culture/cytology: If secondary infection is suspected.

🛠️ 2025 Treatment Strategies

A. Topical & Systemic Medications

• Lime sulfur dips weekly for demodex, Cheyletiella, and scabies.
• Isoxazoline products (e.g., fluralaner/Bravecto®, selamectin/Revolution®) are effective against multiple mite species :contentReference[oaicite:14]{index=14}.
• Ivermectin or moxidectin injections—used extra-label for stubborn cases :contentReference[oaicite:15]{index=15}.
• Amitraz dips are effective but less preferred due to handling issues.

B. Supportive Care & Infection Control

• Antibiotics for secondary bacterial infections :contentReference[oaicite:16]{index=16}.
• Anti-inflammatories or antihistamines for itch relief.
• E-collar to prevent self-trauma.

C. Treat/Prevent Re‑infestation

• Treat all in-contact animals—even if asymptomatic.
• Wash bedding, brushes, and clean the environment.
• Repeat treatments to ensure full eradication of mites :contentReference[oaicite:17]{index=17}.

🌱 Prognosis & Recovery

• With timely treatment, most cats recover fully within weeks to a few months.
• Notoedric mange can be severe in kittens and may be fatal if untreated.
• Demodex may recur in immunocompromised cats unless underlying issues are addressed.

🐾 Home Care & Telehealth Tools

• Ask A Vet: Expert guidance on medicated dips, dosing, monitoring secondary infections, and recheck timing.
• Woopf: Supplies for topical treatment kits, E‑collars, medicated shampoos, and cleaning tools.
• Purrz: Track scratching intensity, lesion progression, activity, and treatment adherence—alerts if healing stalls.

🛡️ Prevention & Wellness Tips

• Keep cats indoors or supervised to reduce exposure to infectious wildlife/strays.
• Use broad-spectrum flea/mite preventatives year-round.
• Regular vet skin checks to catch early signs.
• Manage underlying health issues to support a strong immune response.

🔬 2025 Veterinary Advances

• Faster, at-home skin sampling tools with AI analysis.
• Novel topical formulations with longer-lasting mite protection.
• Smart collars monitoring scratching trends and alerting owners early.
• New injectable systemic treatments reducing dosing to once every 3 months.

✅ Vet‑Approved Care Roadmap

1. Spot intense itching, scale, crusts, or lesions.
2. Vet examination with skin/tape scrapings.
3. Begin appropriate medicated dips or systemic therapy.
4. Treat secondary infections if present.
5. Isolate affected cat and treat all in-contact pets/environment.
6. Track recovery, re-treat if needed, and confirm no mites remain.
7. Use Ask A Vet, Woopf, and Purrz for home support and monitoring.
8. Prevent future issues with lifestyle adjustments and preventatives.

✨ Final Thoughts from Dr Houston

Mange can be challenging—but with prompt diagnosis, effective treatments, and modern home-care tools, most cats heal completely. Protecting all pets in the household, preventing re-infestation, and supporting your cat at home ensures a comfort-focused recovery. With vigilance and care, your cat can regain healthy skin and a calm, itch-free life. 💙🐾

Need assistance? Visit AskAVet.com or download our app for guidance on medicated dips, skin healing, and supportive care throughout recovery.