Effective Treatment for Cat Ringworm: Medications & Tip

Ringworm, a common skin condition, can be quite a nuisance for both cats and their owners. It not only affects the cat's appearance but also leads to symptoms like itching and hair loss, which can significantly degrade the feline's quality of life. So, what should we do when a kitten contracts ringworm? And which medications are effective? Today, Dr. OxygenPet is here to provide a detailed overview.

What is Ringworm?

Ringworm, also known as feline dermatophytosis, is a skin disease caused by fungal infection. The primary pathogens include Microsporum canis, Trichophyton mentagrophytes, and Trichophyton verrucosum. These fungi are widespread in nature, and if a cat comes into contact with them and has weakened resistance, infection can occur.

Symptoms and Diagnosis of Ringworm

1. Symptoms

（1）Hair Loss: Affected areas will show circular or elliptical patches of hair loss with clear boundaries.

（2）Itching: Cats may experience varying degrees of itching, leading to frequent scratching at the infected areas.

（3）Erythema and Dandruff: The infected skin may become red and scaly, and in severe cases, there can be skin breakdown.

（4）Systemic Symptoms: Some cats may exhibit symptoms like loss of appetite, weight loss, and listlessness.

2. Diagnosis

（1）Clinical Examination: By observing the cat's hair loss, skin lesions, and dandruff, a preliminary diagnosis of ringworm can be made.

（2）Wood's Lamp Examination: Wood's lamp emits a narrowband ultraviolet light with a wavelength of 320400nm. Ringworm caused by Microsporum canis will produce pyridine compounds on the skin surface, which will fluoresce under the narrowband ultraviolet light.

（3）Laboratory Testing: Scrape the skin sample from the affected area for fungal culture and microscopic examination to determine the type of pathogen.

How to Treat Ringworm in Kitten?

1. Medication Treatment

（1）Topical Medications: Products like Pipute (Tebuconazole Hydrochloride Spray), Clotrimazole Ointment, and Daxingning (Miconazole Nitrate and Ketoconazole Cream) are broadspectrum antifungal drugs, particularly effective for treating ringworm and other dermatophytosis. When applying, first shave the hair around the affected area, then clean the skin with saline to remove scales and crusts, ensuring the medication penetrates the skin. Once the skin is dry, spray 23 times or apply an appropriate amount of ointment directly to the lesion, using it 23 times a day.

（2）Oral Antifungal Medications: Itraconazole is generally recommended for cats, while 45monthold kittens can take Tioconazole Hydrochloride, but it is not recommended for kittens under 3 months of age.

2. Supportive Treatment

（1）Boost Immunity: Provide the cat with proper nutrition, such as Apcup (Vitamin B Complex Solution), fish oil, and lecithin, to enhance its resistance and promote skin repair.

（2）Relieve Itching: To prevent the cat from licking the affected area, an Elizabethan collar should be worn during treatment. If the cat's itching is severe, you can give it Chlorphenamine Maleate tablets to effectively alleviate the itching.

（3）Dipping: For widespread infections, use antifungal shampoos containing ketoconazole for dipping therapy to treat the entire body.

（4）Environmental Disinfection: To prevent the spread of fungi or repeated infections, it is recommended to regularly clean and disinfect items that the cat comes into contact with, including the cat bed, carpet, sofa, etc. If the kitten's ringworm is severe, it is advisable to isolate the cat for treatment.

Ringworm, as a fungal skin condition, may require a longer treatment period. Therefore, during the treatment process, parents need to be patient and must continue to use the medication until the cat's symptoms completely disappear or no longer show fluorescence under Wood's lamp examination.