One of the hardest things for any furparent is seeing their furbaby uncomfortable, and that’s exactly what we went through with our furbebe, Onyx. Late last year, we started noticing that his ears had wounds — and he would frequently scratch them as if they were terribly itchy. Being the clingy and affectionate kitty that he is, this wasn’t normal behavior, and we knew something was wrong.
So off to the vet we went.
The vet did a thorough check-up and conducted a few tests, including a skin scraping on his ears. A few hours later, we got the confirmation: Onyx had mange.
What is Mange?
Mange is a skin disease in domestic mammals like cats and dogs, caused by tiny parasitic mites. These mites burrow into the skin, causing irritation, severe itching, hair loss, scabs, and lesions. In some cases, mange can be contagious to humans, although that’s more common with dogs than cats. Still, it’s something to take seriously.
We were heartbroken to hear the diagnosis, but also relieved to know what we were dealing with — and that it was treatable.
The Treatment Plan
Our vet prescribed a combination of antibiotic and anti-parasitic medications, including injectable shots. The thing is, Onyx absolutely hates taking medicine. Anyone who has a cat probably knows how dramatic they can get when it comes to pills and syrups! So instead of stressing him (and myself) out every day, I decided to bring him to the vet clinic daily for seven days so the professionals could administer his meds and monitor his progress closely.
It wasn’t easy, especially with my busy schedule, but it was worth it. Onyx slowly stopped scratching, and the wounds on his ears started healing. His mood improved, too—he became more playful again and even went back to asking for belly rubs (on his terms, of course).
What I Learned as a Cat Mom
This experience reminded me of a few important things:
- Always observe your pets closely. Small changes can mean something big.
- Don’t delay the vet visit—trust your instincts.
- It’s okay to ask for help when it comes to treatments.
- Consistency and love go a long way in helping pets recover.
Onyx is now back to his handsome, fluffy self, lounging around like a prince and making sure everyone knows he runs the house.
To fellow furparents: if you ever notice unusual scratching, wounds, or skin problems in your pets, don’t wait. Mange is manageable but early treatment makes a big difference.
