Can cats get the mange and what are the symptoms?

Question

I have 3 cats they are all fixed and get their shots regularly and they seem healthy. However, there is a cat that one of my neighbors moved off and left that I feed. The neighbors that left it come and put food out for it every once in awhile but they are elderly and they don't ever put enough food out for it. It gets in fights all the time with other neighborhood cats and my grandfather said it looked like it had the mange. I don't want my cats to get it too. I don't know what to do. I can barely afford to take my own cats to the vet. I hate to call animal control because the neighbors still own the cat, but I will if It comes down to it. What are the symptoms of mange and can cats get it?

Answer 1

Mange is an infestation of mites. While it is more commonly seen in dogs, cats can: and indeed do get mange.

Basically there are two different types of mange: Sarcoptic mange caused by sarcoptic mites and Demodectic mange caused by demodex mites.

Symptoms include:

Patches of hairloss on the skin, redness, swelling and overall irritation. Demodectic mange is usually found in the facial and ear areas of the animal, while Sarcoptic can be found anywhere in the body.

Another fungal infection that could be causing problems is ringworm. It typically exhibits the same kinds of symptoms although not throughout the body.

Sarcoptic mange is also very contagious between animals and ringworm can be transferred to humans.

If the animal does have mange:

By not-treating the problem the owner is actually comitting an act of animal cruelty through neglect.

However; the SPCA is also aware that elderly people have a really hard time getting around in some cases and won't always prosecute.

If you decide to call, ask if you can bring the cat in yourself and if they would be willing to treat the animal and return it to the old lady.

You may also want to talk to her personally before filing. She may be medically incapable of taking this animal to a vet, and you could offer to help take it to the veterinarian for her.

Hope this helps!
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Edit:

I should also state that the diagnosis of mange/ringworm is done through a skin scraping analysis. Basically a veterinarian will scrape off a tiny portion under the skin and check for the mites/bacteria under a microscope.

Generally demodex mites are long/narrow looking microscopically, while sarcoptic mites are rounder and more oval shaped.

After the skin scraping analysis is done, the veterinarian will check to see how bad the infestation is, what part of the life-cycle the mites are under and perscribe to have oral/antibiotic drops and toppical dips to solve the problem.

They will also probably want the animal back in for a post-eval. just to be sure that the infestation is indeed gone.

Answer 2

Mange In Cats

Answer 3

Can Cats Get Mange

Answer 4

Yes cats can get it, your cats will only be at risk if they have direct physical contact, so if this cat is outside, and your cats are inside, then they would not catch mange if this cat had it. There's a few different types of mange, but basically you would see areas of hair loss, particularly ears, face and feet, and the cat's skin would be scaly and itchy. Bacterial skin infection, ringworm (fungal skin infection) and bad flea allergy can cause similar signs. Mange is caused by mites, and is usually diagnosed with a skin scraping-particulary sarcoptic mange, which is the contagious and more severe form. There's also demodectic mange, which is less severe and not contagious, demodectic mange happens when an animal's immune system isn't working right and a naturally occuring mite (demodex) grows out of control. Humans can also catch sarcoptic mange and ringworm, though you usually need to have close physical contact with the animal in question (like having it sleep in your bed).

Revolution is a good choice to treat and prevent mange, and it also is good for ear mites and fleas. If your cats are outside, then Revolution would be a good idea for them.

Answer 5

Mange is actually caused by tiny mites that eat the skin and fur away. The cat will have patches of fur missing and scratch a lot. Do not let your kitties around it, because mange is easily transmitted. Mites can jump from one cat to the other. Also, I am not positive, but I think you could also get it.

Answer 6

CATS GET MANGE FROM OUT DOORS OR ANOTHER CAT SCRATCHES THEM, THE DIRT OUT SIDE, STARTS ON THE HEAD EARS AND WORKD IT WAY DOWN THE BODY, GET THE PET TO A VET BEFORE TO LATE OR THE ANIMAL WILL HAVE TO BE PUT DOWN IF TO FAR SPREAD. IT CAN SPREAD TO OTHER ANIMALS OR KIDS DONT GET IT ON CLOTHES, TRY TO CATCH THE MANGE EARLY OR CALL YOUR LOCAL ANIMAL CONTROL TO CATCH THE WILD ANIMAL. MY VET SAID ITS VERY DANGEROUS IF LEFT UNTREATED.

Answer 7

cats can get mange. you usually notice a discoloring in their fur. a change in bowel movements. you can always just call your vet to ask for more symptoms. mange is a fungus and its like a leach but if your cat has it you will know something is wrong.