He's Cured (I hope) - update post 18

[shiloh]

SO I have had Baler since Sept 15ish and less than two weeks ago he started scratching like a little maniac and LSS, I took him to the vet and he has sarcoptic mange. WTF!? Where did that come from after all this time and now what do I do? He is in solitary confinement again (which he hates) and I have begun the Great Washing. All cat bedding and my bedding that he got on is getting washed in scalding water and bleach. The bathroom tile was wiped down with sanitizer before he went in and will be washed every day, too. But what else should I do? None of the other cats has shown they are afflicted but I suppose that is a matter of time. The outside cats appear to have this but I’m a fiend about washing my hands before either handling them or after handling them. So what happened?

Feel pretty bad for the poor little crook. His life has just been one craptastic thing after another. But through it all he has not stopped playing and purring. Every day is a great day for him as far as he is concerned. The vets loved him (again) and said he even purred while getting his shots of doxcy and ivermection.

I guess this settles it - he’s mine. Yeah, like that’s (a) a struggle and (b) was inevitable. lol

[betsyk]

You should check the label to be sure, but if I remember correctly, one of the common flea treatment products also works on mange. Or if I’m not remembering correctly, it may be one of the common dewormers. Anyway, keep treating it from the inside out. Pictures?

[CanadianTrotter]

Poor Baler, no advice to offer but can we see a picture?

[shiloh]

Betsy - Possibly Advantage? I know they gave him ivermectin which is a pretty common dewormer. I just thought the poor thing was having a food allergy the way it presented and also how long he has been with me. Boy was I wrong…

Even with his scabby little face and ears he is pretty dang cute. But alas, no cel ph or camera.

[D_BaldStockings]

Hi,

Young animals can be prone to ‘breakouts’ of mange because they are semi-stressed by growing. Parasites flourish on weakened or compromised animals.

That said, you may want to supplement with high quality things like liver, chicken and skin, hearts, etc.

Poor little kiddo.

[shiloh]

Yes, I would say definitely compromised. He has never really been “well.” Still prone to uri in various forms and I think, as does the vet, that herpes may be cause. Seems the whole outside colony may be prone to this. But the food ideas are good - I’ll start supplementing him.

Meantime, what to do about itching? An oatmeal bath, maybe? And what to do with furniture he’s been on? I washed all bedding and rugs. I just don’t want anyone else to get this. I can’t afford to treat a dozen cats. :eek::eek:

[DakotaTA]

You might want to have his thyroid checked. I had a Sheltie I adopted that came to us with mange. Poor baby was naked from her front legs back. Once she was started on thyroid replacement, which is really cheap, she cleared up and grew a beautiful coat.

[S1969]

@D_BaldStockings

Hi,

Young animals can be prone to ‘breakouts’ of mange because they are semi-stressed by growing. Parasites flourish on weakened or compromised animals.

That said, you may want to supplement with high quality things like liver, chicken and skin, hearts, etc.

Poor little kiddo.

Yes, demodectic mange can be because of stress; sarcoptic mange is very different.

OP - what type of “mange” does the cat have? It’s an important difference.

[WildandWickedWarmblo]

Mange mites? There is a salve you get from the vet that cures it in days if it’s mange caused by mites.

[shiloh]

oh duh - sorry - he has sarcoptic.

He looks a wee bit better since his vet visit yesterday and he has to go back next week for another ivermectin shot. Good thing he likes the vet…for now. (insert evil laugh)

[shiloh]

Isn’t there a shampoo or something to put on him so he is not so miserable. He clawed two giant raw spots on his shoulders just last night, poor baby.

[Marshfield]

Revolution will get sarcoptic mange

[LauraKY]

@Marshfield

Revolution will get sarcoptic mange

Exactly. OP, if you can, you should treat the outdoor cats with Revolution…two doses in one month two weeks apart. Correct me if I’m wrong, @Marshfield

[Marshfield]

@LauraKY

Exactly. OP, if you can, you should treat the outdoor cats with Revolution…two doses in one month two weeks apart. Correct me if I’m wrong, @Marshfield

It’s not a common problem here, so ages since I treated one, but a dose every two weeks for two or three doses should suffice

[shiloh]

Baler is due to have a recheck and same shots again on this Wednesday. I’m going to ask if he can have the Revolution instead. He still looks pretty horrid. Bless his little heart, he is the best and happiest kitty. I think it will be his good attitude that will get him thru not only this but the rest of his life. He is going thru what I call his 13 yr old boy stage - “moooooommm, stop hugging me, stop kissing me, you’re embarrassing me!”

[CanadianTrotter]

Hope Baler feels top notch again very soon.

[StGermain]

I had a rescue dog come up with sarcoptic mange and two doses of Revolution (instead of his normal heartworm/flea med) took care of it without a problem.

StG

[shiloh]

Baler had his last ivermectin shot on Wednesday and the vet was very pleased with how he looked. I have ordered the Revolution stuff in case this rears it’s ugly head again.

He is such a good little cat! When the vet tech took him back to their work area I heard the other two techs coo “Oh, is that Baler? We love him!” I stuck my head around the corner and said “It’s nice to know my pet is so popular.” They all exclaimed that they loved him and he was so good. Even the vet was smiling while he patted him and said, “yes, this is a nice little cat.”

He never let this slow him down and has been tearing around the house a zillion mph - we have learned to jump up the curtains and he has shredded his new cat tree. Even though he has already (!!!) cost me a chunk I wouldn’t trade it or him for anything.

[HPFarmette]

I had a dog with demodex (not sarcoptic). Ivermectin did not work. Bravecto saved his life. I don’t know if Bravecto is okay for cats though…

I also used a medicated shampoo…sulfur I think…that made him more comfortable.

[S1969]

@HPFarmette

I had a dog with demodex (not sarcoptic). Ivermectin did not work. Bravecto saved his life. I don’t know if Bravecto is okay for cats though…

I also used a medicated shampoo…sulfur I think…that made him more comfortable.

I don’t know that the Bravecto was the solution? Demodectic mange is usually because of a suppressed immune system. The mites are common on all dogs, but can get out of control if the animal’s immune system doesn’t work properly.

Typically, puppies with Demodex grow out of it. Adults that have it may have other issues - e.g. pit bulls often have demodectic mange because they have other immune and skin issues. So, for example, a flea allergy could be part of the problem, and the right flea/tick medication fixes that problem which heals the skin.