Ringworm in Cats
What is Ringworm in Cats?
Ringworm is a common fungal infection in cats that affects the skin, hair, and nails. Despite its name, ringworm is not caused by worms, but rather by a group of fungi known as dermatophytes. This condition is highly contagious and can spread quickly between cats and other animals, as well as to humans. Therefore, it is important for cat owners to be aware of the symptoms of ringworm and take necessary precautions to prevent its spread.
How to Tell If Your Cat Has Ringworm?
Feel with your hand
Cat moss can cause localized skin crusts and ulcers. Therefore, owners can use their hands to feel the area where their cat is suspected of having cat moss if they feel a hard lump on the skin.
[Note that because ringworm is contagious and can be transmitted to other cats or people (especially the elderly, children, and young people with low immunity), be sure to wear disposable gloves when checking with your hands].
Seeing with the eyes
Normal hair loss in cats is usually uniform all over the body. If you find that your cat has localized hair loss and you can see the skin directly, the odds are that it is cat moss. Also, as the cat keeps scratching the affected area, it will cause hair loss to worsen.
Wood’s lamp examination
If the owner is unable to distinguish cat moss from the naked eye, then a Wood's lamp can be used to determine this.
The Wood's lamp, which is effective for some of the tryptophan-producing Microsporum canis, reacts positively to green transparent light. If the infected area is irradiated and a green clear fluorescence appears, the person has been infected with ringworm and the accuracy rate is around 50%.
What Does Ringworm in Cats Look Like?
The first sign of ringworm in cats is usually a small, circular lesion on the skin. These lesions may appear scaly, dry, and flaky, or they may be moist and inflamed. They are usually circular, but they can also be irregular in shape. The affected area may be itchy and red, and the fur around it may be broken or missing. As the infection progresses, the lesion may enlarge and spread to other areas of the body.
Another characteristic of ringworm in cats is the presence of broken or missing fur. This is because the fungus infects the hair shaft, causing it to break off at the skin's surface. As the infection progresses, hair loss may become more extensive, and the skin may become thickened and crusted.
In some cases, ringworm may not cause any visible signs on the skin. Instead, affected cats may develop a mild form of the disease known as "asymptomatic carrier status." In these cases, the cat is still infected with the fungus but does not show any visible signs of disease. However, asymptomatic carriers can still transmit the fungus to other animals and humans.
Ringworm in Cats Symptoms
- Skin Lesions: Ringworm typically causes round, scaly lesions on a cat’s skin. These lesions can appear anywhere on the body but are most commonly seen on the head, ears, and forelimbs. The lesions may be red, raised, and itchy, and may sometimes develop a crust or scab.
- Hair Loss: Cats with ringworm may develop patchy areas of hair loss, which can be a result of the fungal infection. The hair loss may be more noticeable in long-haired breeds.
- Itching: Cats with ringworm may experience intense itching and scratching, which can cause further damage to the skin.
- Dandruff: Cats with ringworm may have dry, flaky skin that appears as dandruff. This can be accompanied by hair loss and skin lesions.
- Nails: Ringworm can also affect a cat’s nails, causing them to become brittle and break easily. The nails may also become discolored, thickened, or deformed.
- Lesions are most likely to be found on the skin on your cat’s head, chest, front legs, and spine. These lesions are usually not itchy at first but can become itchy if severe scaling or bacterial infection occurs.
Is Ringworm Contagious?
Yes, ringworm is contagious and can be easily transmitted between cats and other animals, as well as humans. The fungal spores that cause ringworm can survive for long periods of time in the environment, including on bedding, grooming tools, furniture, and floors. Direct contact with an infected animal or object that has been contaminated with the spores can result in the transmission of ringworm to a healthy cat or person.
It's important to note that not all cats who are exposed to ringworm will develop the infection, but cats with weakened immune systems or those who are stressed, malnourished, or living in crowded or unsanitary conditions are more susceptible to contracting the infection. Additionally, young cats and kittens are more likely to develop ringworm than older cats.
How Long to Quarantine Cat with Ringworm?
The duration of quarantine will depend on the severity of the infection and the treatment regimen prescribed by your veterinarian. In general, cats with ringworm should be isolated for a minimum of 3-4 weeks after starting treatment. During this time, your cat should be kept away from other pets and confined to a specific area in your home.
Causes of Ringworm in Cats
Ringworm in cats is caused by a fungal infection that can affect the skin, hair, and nails. The fungus responsible for the infection is called dermatophytes and it can be found in the environment, such as in soil, on surfaces, and on other animals. Cats can become infected with ringworm by coming into contact with infected animals, objects, or soil. Kittens and cats with compromised immune systems, such as those with FIV or FeLV, are more susceptible to ringworm infections.
Ringworm is a highly contagious infection that can spread quickly, especially in environments where cats are in close contact, such as shelters or catteries. It can also be spread from cats to humans, so it's important to take precautions when handling an infected cat. Good hygiene practices and regular cleaning of the environment can help prevent the spread of ringworm in cats.
How is a Ringworm Infection Diagnosed?
Ringworm infection in cats can be diagnosed through various methods. Here are the most common methods:
Fungal Culture: The veterinarian may take a sample of hair or skin from the infected area of the cat and place it on a special culture medium to see if the fungus grows. This test can take several weeks to produce results.
Wood’s Lamp Examination: A Wood’s lamp is a special ultraviolet lamp that can help detect ringworm infections in cats. The lamp causes infected hair to fluoresce or emit a greenish-yellow glow.
Microscopic Examination: The veterinarian may also examine a sample of hair or skin under a microscope to look for the presence of ringworm spores or hyphae (filaments).
It is important to note that none of these methods are 100% accurate. False negatives can occur with fungal cultures, and not all strains of ringworm will fluoresce under a Wood’s lamp. Therefore, if there is a strong suspicion of a ringworm infection, additional tests may be required to confirm the diagnosis.
Will Cat Ringworm Go Away by Itself?
In most cases, cat ringworm will not go away by itself and requires treatment to fully resolve. While some cats may be able to clear the infection on their own over time, many will continue to have symptoms and can spread the infection to other animals or humans. such as secondary bacterial infections or other fungal infections. Additionally, cats with weakened immune systems or underlying medical conditions may have a more difficult time clearing the infection on their own and are at a higher risk for complications.
So it is important to follow the prescribed treatment plan and continue treatment.
Ringworm Treatment for Cats
Topical Treatment
Topical medications such as shampoos, creams, and ointments can be applied directly to the infected areas of the cat's skin. These medications typically contain antifungal agents such as miconazole, ketoconazole, or terbinafine. Treatment usually requires daily application of the medication for several weeks.
Oral Treatment
Oral medications may be prescribed for more severe cases of ringworm or for cats with weakened immune systems. These medications include antifungal drugs such as griseofulvin, itraconazole, or fluconazole. Treatment can last for several weeks or months.
Environmental Decontamination
Ringworm spores can survive in the environment for months, so it's important to thoroughly clean and disinfect the cat's living area. This includes vacuuming carpets and upholstery, washing bedding and toys, and using disinfectant on surfaces.
Lime Sulfur Dip
The lime sulfur dip is an effective treatment for ringworm in cats. It is a sulfur-based solution that is diluted with water and applied to the cat's skin. The cat will need to be dipped once a week for several weeks.
Isolation
To prevent the spread of ringworm, it's important to isolate the infected cat from other pets in the household. This includes keeping the cat in a separate room and avoiding contact with other pets until the infection has cleared up.
Ringworm in Cats Treatment at Home
- Step 1
Shave the infected area and the surrounding hair of the cat, soak in hot soapy water, and scrub to soften the hard skin. - Step 2
Wipe with a cotton swab with alcohol to remove the flakes and crusts and then apply the medication, in order to allow the medication to soak directly into the skin. - Step 3
Give your cat vitamin B to aid treatment
How Can I Prevent Cat Ringworm?
- Ringworm is spread by spores, so it is important to prevent ringworm not only by keeping it away from cats but also by disinfecting the environment, especially fibers that cats have touched. Items made of woolen fabrics are most likely to be intermediate vectors of ringworm, so in addition to disinfecting water, it is important to leave them in the sun.
- Another way of transmission is through human hands and clothing. It is dangerous to hug another cat with hands that have already held ringworm
- Many cats have reduced resistance and can get ringworm even when they are at home and not outside, so in addition to prevention, it is important to build up your cat's resistance. Good nutrition for the skin is some other vitamins (e.g. vitamin b2, niacin), minerals (e.g. zinc), and some unsaturated fatty acids, taurine, etc.
- Control the indoor temperature. A humid, hot, and unventilated environment is prone to fungal growth, so keep your cat's environment dry and ventilated.
- It is important to choose a suitable shampoo. Cats are protected by their fur, so their stratum corneum is much thinner than people's. Cats have no sweat glands and few sebaceous glands, so bathing more often destroys the stratum corneum and lowers their resistance.
How to Bathe a Cat with Ringworm
Bathing a cat with ringworm is an important step in treating the condition. It helps to remove the spores from the coat and skin, reducing the risk of spreading the infection to other parts of the cat's body or to other pets in the household. Here are some steps to follow when bathing a cat with ringworm:
Choose an anti-fungal shampoo
Look for a shampoo that contains an anti-fungal medication. Your veterinarian can recommend a suitable product for your cat.
- Trim the cat's nails
This will help to prevent scratches during the bath, which can further spread the ringworm infection.
- Wet the cat's fur thoroughly
Use lukewarm water and a gentle stream from the showerhead or a cup. Avoid getting water in the cat's ears or eyes.
- Apply the shampoo
Lather up the shampoo and apply it to the cat's entire body, taking care to massage it into the skin.
- Let the shampoo sit
Leave the shampoo on the cat for at least 10 minutes. This will give the anti-fungal medication time to work.
- Rinse thoroughly
Rinse the shampoo off the cat's fur and skin completely, making sure there is no residue left.
- Dry the cat
Use a towel to blot the cat dry, taking care not to rub the skin too hard. You can also use a hairdryer on a low setting to speed up the drying process. Make sure the cat is completely dry before allowing it to groom itself.
How to Tell If Ringworm is Healing in Cats
When treating ringworm in cats, it is important to monitor the progress of the healing process. Here are some signs that indicate that your cat's ringworm is healing:
- Reduced Lesion Size
The size of the ringworm lesions should decrease as healing progresses. The lesions will gradually fade and eventually disappear.
- Reduced Itching
Cats with ringworm may scratch and itch at the affected area, causing discomfort. As the infection begins to heal, cats will experience less itching and discomfort.
- Hair Regrowth
One of the most visible signs that your cat's ringworm is healing is the regrowth of hair. As the infection resolves, new hair growth will occur in the previously affected areas.
- Less Spreading of the Infection
As the ringworm heals, it should no longer spread to other parts of the cat's body or to other animals in the household.
- Negative Culture Test
If a culture test was performed to diagnose the ringworm, a negative test result indicates that the infection has been successfully treated.
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