Mange is a highly contagious condition of the skin caused by mites and parasites in animals. Cats affected by mange usually stay outdoors. If left untreated, the cat may become extremely ill and lose its fur. The symptoms of mange include itching, discomfort, and scratching. Below are options cat owners should use to treat their cat affected by mange.

Mange in cats is fairly uncommon; but it is possible for a cat to contract mange. If your cat is loosing fur, you must to take your cat to the vet. Other diseases and problems other than mange can cause hair loss. A vet can look at a sample of the cat's skin or fur under a microscope to ascertain whether or not your cat has mange.

There are a few different various types of mange that are thought to affect felines. Ear mites are not normally considered mange, but the parasites that cause in ear mites can also cause mange. Ear mites can usually be treated with injections or prescription ear drops. When a cat has ear mites, the inside of their ears will look dirty. Black oily-looking dirt will cover the inside of the cat's ears. These are not the actual mites, but are the dropping left behind from the mites.

Another form of mange is called Demodex Mange, also called Demodex mange". This type of mange is not contagious. Cat and dogs do not pass this type of mange to each other. Usually cats and dogs have small amounts of these mites living on their skin. This form type of mange does not often bother the cat unless it becomes inflamed. It might look on the cat as small patches of hair loss. In more serious cases, it can affect in a bacterial rash on the skin. The skin can become inflamed, red and itchy. Demodex Mange usually starts causing problems in cats that are immuno-suppressed or that are aging. This type of mange can also adversely affect cats with poor diet. Hormones and stress might also cause this type of mange to cause problems. It can be seen in pregnant and nursing cats or male cats that are not neutered.

There are treatment options for this kind of mange. When you take your cat to the vet for possible mange, you vet will perform a thorough health exam. This will rule out autoimmune diseases and other types of parasites such as worms. An oral medication called Ivermectin can be used. Although this drug is not approved by the Federal Drug Administration to use for mange, many vets find this treatment highly effective. Another treatment option is dipping your cat in a prescribed pesticide. This is highly effective, however it can cause problems such as vomiting and seizures in cats. In addition, the treatment is poisonous, and it should not be applied with pregnant cats or by people who are pregnant. This dip is routinely done weekly for up to six weeks.

Sarcoptic mange is another form of mange that can infect cats. This form of mange is highly contagious and very difficult to persistent. Cat that are affected by this form of mange are extremely itchy and the scratching can cause serious inflammation and infrequent bleeding of the skin. Mites will burrow into the skin and deposit the eggs. When a cat has this, the excessive scratching can also cause scabbing and infections on the skin.

This form of mange is usually determined by examining the cat's skin or fur under a microscope. If it is indeed Sarcoptic mange, your vet will want to wash the cat with a medicated shampoo and then treat the cat with a pesticide dip. Just as with Sarcoptic mange, this pesticide dip is very potent and extreme caution should to be used when treating your cat.

If you suspect your cat has mange, you should take your cat to the vet for an exam. In order to treat the infection, it is mandatory to know which type of mange your cat has. Also, it is not unwise to use "home remedies" for mange that are frequently found. Such remedies can be extremely dangerous to your cat. In many cases, hair loss is not mange. Hair loss can be caused by allergic reactions to foods, plants or even medications. Allergic reactions are treated much differently than mange so it is very important to seek medical care for your animal.