The cat scabies or feline mange is one parasitosis induced by mites which act by causing intense itching and scabs on the cat’s skin.
The mite in question is the Notoedres cati. Does it remind you of anyone? Also known as Sarcoptes scabiei variant catiis a close relative of dog sarcoptic mange.
Its name describes it perfectly: Notoedres in fact it means “epidermal nests”, niches that this tiny Arachnid digs in the horny layer of the cat’s skin to lay its eggs.
The Scabies of the cat
The mite responsible for the feline scabies it is ubiquitous and widespread throughout the world. It can parasitize cats, especially stray ones, but also rabbits, mice, bats, and the manas an occasional guest.
These insects, much smaller about 0.2 mm, are responsible for sometimes severe symptoms in cats.
Being a zoonosis it is impotent to know and prevent the onset of this disease.
Life cycle
I Notoedres cati they spend their entire life cycle on the feline. Females dig tunnels in the horny layer of the cat’s skinthe most superficial, stimulating the nerve endings and triggering a sensation of severe itching.
The tunnels serve to nest and secure to egg that they will lay down a safe place, until they have reached the stage of nymph and then of adult individual. The entire life cycle takes place in 3 weeks.
Symptoms of cat scabies
How does scabies manifest in cats? Symptoms of feline mange appear mainly in the area of the face, ears, on the extremities of the body, then legs and tail.
Inflammation causes lichenificationthat is, the skin appears hard, scaly, thickened.
The main symptoms are:
- Intense itching
- Alopecia, hair loss
- Crusting of the skin
The chronic inflammation can worsen the health of the adult cat considerably: Kitty could come to self-harm by pulling the hair to relieve itching.
In the puppy, if not treated, it can even have a lethal outcome.
How is cat scabies treated?
Typical cat treatment consists of oral or subcutaneous administration of ivermectinaccording to the doses and times suggested by the veterinarian.
It is a drug used to treat numerous parasites in different animal species since ad broad range action.
It may also be necessary to:
- Antibiotics to treat secondary infections due to feline mange, such as lesions resulting from itching
- Corticosteroid drugs, which should only be used after starting acaricidal treatment
- Medical baths can help remove the parasite and soothe the cat
- Solutions based on lime sulfide have a proven efficacy in assisting the treatment of some parasites of the cat’s skin.
Is cat scabies transmitted to humans?
The contagion from cat to man scabies can occur as a result of prolonged exposure to the cat’s skin, for example by stroking it several times and with a certain frequency.
Man can develop one sensitivity to the mitewhich typically occurs in the areas where there has been the greatest contact with the animal: the hands, arms, sometimes the face and legs.
Although in humans it does not dig tunnels in the epidermal layer, it is still capable of causing intense itching.
Prevention
Before adopting a cat it is essential to undergo a veterinary check-up to prevent it from carrying dangerous diseases to other members of the family, especially if it is a stray kitten.
If, on the other hand, Micio has access to the garden, he may have come into contact with the cat scabies mite by hunting an infected mouse or bat. In these cases it is good to make sure that Micio is regularly protected with special pesticides.
If the cat lives with other animals, especially the rabbit, it is important to separate it from them and treat it with the most appropriate therapy.
The scabies of the cat therefore can be successfully cured, especially when intervening at the first signs of the parasite. A little patience will be needed for the healing of very severe cases, for the skin to heal from inflammation and the hair to grow back. So do not hesitate to ask your trusted veterinarian for help!