Identifying Feline Scabies: Symptoms & Visual Guide

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The most common symptom of a mite infection is itchiness!

After a cat is infected with this disease, you might notice irregular red patches and hair loss on their skin. The affected cat will feel extremely itchy and constantly scratch at their skin. So, if you, as a pet owner, often see your beloved cat scratching and itching their skin, it's time to be vigilant. Your cat might be suffering from a mite infection!

Mite infections generally fall into three categories: otodectes, demodex, and sarcoptes.

And the characteristics of mite infections are quite distinct: long treatment duration, prone to recurrence, and widespread infection in multicat households.

Otodectes (Ear Mites)

Symptoms:

The ears have dark brown, coffeegroundlike discharge that is dry and hard. The cat's ears will be extremely itchy, leading to frequent ear scratching and head shaking. Pure ear mite infections typically do not produce an odor.

How to Treat:

Firstly, fit your cat with a proper collar to prevent scratching and interfere with treatment.

Treat the ear mites externally (a key step!), once a month for three consecutive months.

Use a specialized ear cleaning solution and drop it into the cat's ear canal. Gently massage the base of the ear for one minute to allow the liquid to dissolve earwax. Then, let the cat shake out the debris and clean the ear with a cotton ball. Wipe away any remaining liquid around the ears.

Apply EarFresh, an ear mite killer, by inserting a tube directly into the ear canal. Since dogs and cats have Lshaped ear canals, the eardrum is not at risk. Squeeze in a small amount of ointment, massage the ear to ensure absorption, and wipe away any excess medication.

Ear cleaning and medication should be done twice a day. Repeat this process for 1828 days, or until the cat's symptoms disappear.

Demodex (Demodex Mites)

Symptoms:

1. If the mites are in the cat's hair follicles, they usually cause hair loss but not itching or severe infections.

2. However, if the mites are present on the cat's skin scales and hair, they can cause severe itching, accompanied by severe dandruff, scabs, epidermal shedding, and hair loss, especially on the head, neck, and elbows.

3. If the cat's skin is infected with bacteria due to demodex mites, it can lead to skin redness, hair loss, pustular eruptions, thickening of the skin, hyperpigmentation, and dandruff. If not treated promptly, severe infections can result in a strong odor.

How to Treat:

Firstly, fit your cat with a proper collar and perform external deworming.

For localized infections, apply Fuant (zinc oxide ointment) and Pipute (terbinafine hydrochloride spray), and orally administer vitamins. Supplementing with vitamin B can enhance the cat's skin immunity and reduce the likelihood of various skin diseases.

If the cat's skin damage is extensive, a medicated bath may be necessary.

Maintain good hygiene and cleanliness in the cat's environment, and regularly disinfect.

Sarcoptes (Scabies Mites)

Symptoms:

Cat scabies mites typically reside in the cat's skin surface, causing severe itching and forming scabs. The first areas affected are usually the ears, head, and face. The damage can extend to the paws and perineum. Infested skin thickens, becomes lichenified, and sheds hair, possibly leading to scabs and epidermal desquamation. Severe infections can result in widespread skin damage and infection, and in extreme cases, can lead to anorexia, weight loss, and even death.

How to Treat:

Firstly, fit your cat with an Elizabethan collar.

Traditional treatment involves using a mild antipruritic shampoo to loosen scabs, followed by applying 2% to 3% lime sulfur solution to the entire body every 7 days until subsequent skin scraping tests are negative and symptoms improve (approximately 48 weeks).

Other treatments include:

■ Ivermectin 0.20.3 mg/kg PO or SC, once every 12 weeks, for 34 courses.

■ Dolantel 0.20.3 mg/kg SC, once every 12 weeks.

■ Topical application of moxidectin, applied every 24 weeks for 4 to 6 weeks; frequent use may increase side effects.

Maintain good environmental hygiene, regularly disinfect the home, and ensure good ventilation to avoid high humidity.

Regularly deworm your cat, with internal deworming every 3 months and external deworming every 6 months.