Symptoms & Treatments for Feline Ringworm: A Comprehens

When a cat suffers from ringworm, it often experiences intense itching, leading them to excessively rub against various objects to relieve the discomfort. The condition can persist for a considerable period, resulting in flaking skin and the formation of bald spots. Contrary to what many pet owners might believe, ringworm is a zoonotic skin disease, and simply using bath solutions or ointments may not completely cure or eliminate the infection. To effectively treat and prevent recurrence, a combination of oral antifungal medications and environmental cleaning and disinfection is necessary.

Oral Medications for Treating Ringworm

Griseofulvin

Griseofulvin is one of the most commonly used antifungal medications and is highly effective. However, it must be administered with a diet rich in fat to ensure proper absorption. It is crucial to avoid using this medication in pregnant or breeding cats, as it can cause liver damage.

Griseofulvin tablets are available over the counter, with a dosage of 100mg per tablet. The treatment course typically lasts for three months, with varying dosages depending on the cat's weight:

Small infection area: 7.5mg/kg body weight, twice a day

Large infection area: 15mg/kg body weight, twice a day

Due to the side effects of griseofulvin, alternative oral medications can be considered:

Itraconazole

Available as an oral suspension, 10mg/kg body weight, once a day

Fluconazole

Available as Diflucan, 10mg/kg body weight, twice a week

Terbinafine Hydrochloride

Available as tablets, with varying dosages depending on the severity of the infection:

Small infection area: 20mg/kg body weight, once a day

Moderate infection area: 30mg/kg body weight, once a day

Severe infection area: 40mg/kg body weight, once a day

It is important to avoid using these medications in pregnant cats. Additionally, note that ketoconazolebased oral products are highly toxic to cats and have been discontinued in China. If purchasing imported oral medications, ensure that they do not contain ketoconazole.

Topical Medications for Treating Ringworm

The aforementioned oral medications also come in topical forms, which can be used, or you can try other externally applied treatments.

Sulfur and Lime Mixture

The sulfur and lime mixture has been proven to effectively treat ringworm and can also serve as a preventive measure. Originally used as an antibacterial agent for trees and plants, it can also be used to treat skin diseases in cats and dogs.

When diluted to 50100 times (1 part sulfur and lime mixture to 50/10 parts water), it is safe and harmless for kittens, pregnant or lactating queens.

Application method: Dilute the sulfur and lime mixture with water, then briefly soak the cat (without any other activities). After bathing, gently towel dry (do not remove all the mixture), allow it to dry naturally, and put on a collar to prevent the cat from licking it. Wash once a week, twice if possible. If the cat is lactating, clean the nipples thoroughly.

Preventing Recurrence of Ringworm

For households with multiple cats, if one cat is infected with ringworm, all cats should be treated to prevent recurrence.

It is generally not recommended to shave shorthaired or mediumlonghaired cats for treatment, and even for longhaired cats, trimming only excessively long hair is suggested. Shaving can cause skin irritation, and the fallen fur contains a large number of ringworm fungal spores, which can contaminate the environment. Moreover, the entire environment can become filled with fungal spores that have spread from the fur, so it's important to choose a suitable location for shaving.

During treatment, ensure that the environment is thoroughly cleaned and disinfected to prevent reinfection.

Lastly, it's worth mentioning that some skin diseases in cats resemble ringworm symptoms, particularly those caused by mange mites. If antifungal medications do not show improvement, try using acaricides, such as ivermectinbased products, which can be quite effective.