Cat Mange and the effect it can have on the health of your cat

Cat Mange is caused by mites that eat under the skin and is a very nasty problem, but one that can be treated easily and quickly if approached correctly. It is true that mites on cats occur in a number of ways but it is only when the number of mites becomes out of control that mange is the result.

Any increase in the mite population can be down to many things - disease in elderly or very young cats is one popular reason, and poor nutrition another Cat Mange is characterized by notable scratching and unusual red areas on the skin, as the mites feed on the hair follicles causing the cats coat to become uneven. There are several mites that cause mange, and the most obvious type is Sarcoptic mange, a condition that can also occur in us where it is known as scabies. Sarcoptic mange is contagious to a great degree, so if there are further animals in contact with an affected cat they should also be treated.

It is often wise keeping an eye open for any signs of unusual tiredness or lack of appetite, as well as odd sleep patterns and foul odors as these can also be signs that preface the onset of mange on cats. Recognizing mange is a simple affair and involves a scrape of skin from the infected area; this will show the severity and type of mange on the cat and help to identify the correct method of treatment. It is unusual but not unknown, for mange to turn life threatening, and it is often the mature or very young cats that are most prone to this. Any notable alterations in behavior that may indicate mange should be taken seriously and rapid treatment is vital.

Progressive scratching should be taken as a direct indication that mange may be present, and treatment must be applied immediately. It is vital that immediate treatment is used in combating mange, as this is not a condition that will pass over or die down of its own accord. Cat Mange, being caused by mites, needs to be treated rapidly and efficiently and the mites eradicated in order to rectify the problem, and the treatments for doing this are especially for the condition. If left untreated mange will only get worse as the mites take a hold; in these cases the mange can move from a specific part of the cat's body to become an all-encompassing problem that is very uncomfortable.

Treatment for mange is straightforward and usually quick, although it depends on the type of cat concerned as long haired cats are harder to treat. There are a number of ways in which mange in cats is eradicated; the application of creams and lotions is generally a preferred method, and sometimes a spray is also applied and an antibiotic prescribed. In a number of cases of mange treatment results should begin to be noticed after treatment has been ongoing for a week, but sometimes the breed, age and condition of the cat in question has an effect on the lifetime of the treatment.

Any cat mange treatment has to be one that can get completely into the cats skin and attack not only the mites but any eggs they may have laid, as mites multiply at an alarming rate and the population can increase very quickly. Attacking the mange problem at root cause is the only successful solution, as once the mite population has been killed there will be no more spread of infection and the cat should heal effectively. Cat Mange is sadly a common problem but is one that can be treated easily with the proper approach; should a cat display any of the symptoms described it should be treated quickly.

-->