I visited my Dad & was appalled to see his neighbour's cat who has many clumps of matted fur on her back. She's a black medium length coat cat appx 18 yrs old. Neighbour claims she's taken the cat to the vet but that the vet said it was mange and the cat needs her fur clipped but is too old to undergo the anaesthetic that would be needed to do this. I have severe doubts that the cat ever saw a vet & something about this doesn't ring true - from what I've seen on the web, mange usually causes itching and hairloss, neither of which this cat has. To me she just looks like she needs a good grooming and her hair clipped professionally.
The cat in general is poorly treated in my opinion. She's never allowed into the house except to eat and is left outside in all weathers. I had concerns about this cat previously but on seeing her tonight I am seriously considering making a formal report to the SSPCA. Any experts out there that can advise as to whether this does sound like mange?
2007-04-04 11:11:46 · 20 answers · asked by Lisa Mc 2 in Pets ➔ Cats
Mange is normally a balding of the fur and very sore skin. Sounds to me like she needs a good brush and maybe a clipping, but if the owners are not going to maintain her coat it would probably be a waste of time.
Report the owners I would.
2007-04-04 11:14:55 · answer #1 · answered by Denise H 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
This is such a shame. Lousy owners. It does not sound like mange - which is rare in cats by the way. Mange causes hair loss, and itching depending on which kind of mange mite is the cause.
It sounds far more like the cat's fur is matted because it has become too old to groom itself properly. Clearly the owners don't care much for the cat - I don't believe they ever took it to the vet either. I also doubt a vet would just say 'too old for an anaesthetic' - there are plenty of sedation drugs that are safe to use on older cats. Also age in itself does not necessarily make sedation/anaesthetic riskier - it's just that the cat it more likely to have a weaker heart or other illnesses that increase risk.
I would definitely call the SSPCA. If I saw a cat in this condition I wouldn't care what the owners thought since they clearly don't think much for the cat in the first place.
Chalice
2007-04-07 08:53:19 · answer #2 · answered by Chalice 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The cat doesn't need anaesthetic to get the clumps ans mattings out. My friends cat have big matting and clumps because she didn't groom her properly, when taken to the vet, they got them all out without any problems. I'm sure the poor cat is feeling those clumps and they may be itchy too. They bother the cat and should get them out. A vet can shave some parts out that very big, I don't know what mange is but I do know matting caused by just plain neglect and I think you can report it maybe some one might care about that poor old kitty, I feel so sad for her, do what you think is right, it wouldn't do any harm.
2007-04-04 11:35:59 · answer #3 · answered by ? 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Mange is hair loss...not matting. As a cat gets older they do not groom themselves as frequently, if at all. It is very difficult to keep an old, long haired cat free of mats. If this cat is that old it should not be roaming outside. Also, when a cat is sick with a chronic illness it will cease grooming. I am not positive you should call the authorities. Maybe a gentle talk with the neighbors could do the trick. Old cats have difficulty with anesthesia. I think I would prefer to allow the cat to keep it's mats, rather then run the risk of anesthesia...regardless of the gossip from the neighbors. However, If I knew of cat, not allowed in doors and I felt it was treated cruely...I would simply kidnap the cat and find it a nurturing home. Sounds like the neighbor would not notice this cat missing until about...hmmmm July.
2007-04-04 11:33:30 · answer #4 · answered by royalpixieblue 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
It doesn't sound like mange, it sounds like a grooming problem. The cat really needs to be shaved as the mats will only get worse and they pull on the skin causing pain. Mats on the rear can block bowel movements as well so try to convince the owners to do something.
2007-04-04 21:09:09 · answer #5 · answered by hattiefrederick 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
We also live close to a person with two cats who do not look after them, but luckily Myself and Neighbour are cat lovers and keep an eye on them and feed them when we can.
However in your situation, if the cat is in any distress, or looks like it is very ill, then I would sugest you make enquiries to your animal group and possibly ask them to have a look. If they are anything like the RSPCA they will pop around and have a quick check, talk to the owner and issue a warning if they have concerns just saying to buck up their ideas and that they will be back to check in a few weeks to ensure the cat is better and not being mistreated. Often if it is a problem with funds or fees, animal groups can assist.
Hope it helps.
2007-04-04 22:02:16 · answer #6 · answered by Kevan M 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's probably not mange. It sounds like the poor cat has the misfortune to belong to a family of skanks who likely don't take care of their hygine and grooming needs much better than they do their cat's If the cat is covered with clumps it hasn't gotten that way overnight, you're looking at long term neglect.
It probably needs clipped down and allowed to grow the coat over. Stuff like this burns me. Folks who aren't going to take care of animals shouldn't get them--there's no law says you have to have them.
2007-04-04 11:19:11 · answer #7 · answered by Redneck Crow 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
It's not mange, Judging by the cats age she may not be drying herself after washing causing the fur to knot up, it may have a bad tooth, or she could have got very wet and just matted if it's as bad as you say she might need electric clippers poor thing
2007-04-07 05:27:06 · answer #8 · answered by country jenny 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It sounds like sheer neglect, not mange. The poor thing has obviously not been combed at all. Ring the R.S.P.C.A. They are pretty good, and will possibly trim the cat, and advise the owner to sign it over to their care-the person can't really want the cat, as it isn't cared for properly
2007-04-05 03:15:11 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
This doesn't sound like mange at all, mange makes hair fall out, not get matted.
BUT, be careful contacting SSPCA, as they often put older animals to sleep if they have to take them away from the neglectful owner.
You may want to check out your local no-kill shelter for advice. It does sound like a poor life for a kitty :(
You might want to catnap him and have him seen by a vet, then return him to his garden. But It's up to you if you care for the cat's wellbeing to that point.
2007-04-04 11:42:57 · answer #10 · answered by Wee Macumba Von Der Vroomta Boga 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋