Types of Cat Mange:

Though mange is quite common in dogs, cats tend to develop the problem too.



The problem may be quite uncommon and seem like a rarity in cats because we generally look at this in comparison to dogs. Cat mange is a disorder of the skin and is caused by microscopic mites. Though uncommon, there are cases in which cats have suffered severe mange infections. Mange in cats can usually be seen on the ear, neck and face.



It almost always begins from a localized condition. However, if attention is not paid to it and the condition doesn’t get treated, it can spread to the rest of the body and become a cause for much pain and discomfort.

There are several types of mange in cats. Here are some of them:

• Ear Mites: The most common form of mange, this is cause by a mite which is much different from the one that causes mange on the face.
  
  
  
  Mange feeds on the dry scaly skin of the inner ear. Though these mites do not burrow into the skin, they continue to be cause for severe itching, irritation and inflammation. If the infection becomes severe, you may even see some fluid oozing out of your pet’s ear.
• Notoedric mange: Also known as cat scabies, this mange is caused by a type of mite that may cause loss of hair and crusting of skin. These mites are of the burrowing type and cause a lot of itching. Constant itching can cause the cat to scratch it constantly and therefore the skin may begin to bleed.
• Demodectic mange: This type of mange causes hair loss and small red, inflamed patches of skin. It may be localized, meaning it is restricted to a small area of the body, or generalized, meaning that it covers a large portion of the body. In severe cases, a bacterial skin infection may occur due to demodectic mange in cats. This condition is rare in cats.
• Cheyletiella mange: This kind of disorder is caused by a red colored mite, which is quite large and produces a flaking effect which looks a lot like dandruff. It is for this reason that this disorder is also often called the walking dandruff. This can often be seen at the back, sides and the neck of the cat. This disorder too is quite rare. However, it is also very contagious and therefore cats with this kind of mange should be quarantined.

Sarcoptic and chiggers mange in cats are some other rare types of mange. Both of these cause skin irritations and hair loss.