Effective Treatment for Feline Ringworm: Dr. Oxygen Pet

Dealing with ringworm in cats is often a major headache for many pet owners. This skin condition is not only quite common but also requires a lengthy treatment period. Ringworm in cats is caused by a fungal infection from Microsporum canis. While some cats with strong immune systems may gradually heal on their own after a few months of infection, longhaired cats, kittens, and adult cats with weakened immune systems typically cannot recover without treatment and may suffer from recurring outbreaks.

So, how can you completely eliminate ringworm from your cat? Don't worry, the Pet Doctor is here to provide you with a detailed explanation.

Part 1: Symptoms and Diagnosis of Ringworm

Ringworm can affect various parts of a cat's body, including the head, tail, limbs, and trunk, leading to localized hair loss. The skin in these areas may exhibit dandruff, redness, and greasy scabs.

● Diagnosis Methods:

When you suspect your cat has ringworm, it's crucial not to start treatment immediately. At home, you can first purchase a Wood's lamp to examine your cat. Most ringworm cases are caused by Microsporum canis, and the metabolic products of this fungus often produce an applegreen fluorescence under the light of a Wood's lamp.

However, for a more accurate diagnosis, it's best to visit a veterinary clinic. The vet will use methods such as hair plucking or skin scraping, followed by microscopic examination and fungal culture to determine the cause and specific type of fungus.

Part 2: Treating Ringworm on Cats

1. Mild Infection

☞ Apply Dasatinib (ketokonazole ointment) or Pipret (terbinafine hydrochloride spray) twice to three times a day.

This method is relatively simple and easy to perform, but it requires consistent use over time to see significant results. Before applying the medication, make sure to trim the fur around the affected area and clean the skin with physiological saline or iodine tincture to remove dandruff, scabs, and inflammatory secretions. After applying the medication, put a Elizabethan collar on your cat to prevent it from licking the drug and causing chronic poisoning.

2. Severe Infection

Cats with widespread ringworm infections can be treated with medicated baths, such as 24% lime sulfur solution or 0.2% econazole solution, once or twice a week.

For more severe cases, in addition to external care, systemic treatment with oral antifungal medications is also necessary. The commonly used oral antifungal drug is itraconazole, which has a strong inhibitory effect on fungi and relatively few side effects. It is suitable for cats over 3 months old, with a dosage of 510mg/kg, taken once a day, for one week and then stopped for one week.

Part 3: Additional Care

1. Isolate the cat with ringworm promptly to prevent the spread of the fungus to other family members.

2. Regularly disinfect your cat's living environment and items it has come into contact with to avoid crossinfection.

3. Improve indoor ventilation and air exchange to reduce humidity, which is beneficial for inhibiting the growth and reproduction of fungi.

4. Feed your cat a balanced diet and supplement with B vitamins and omega3 fatty acids to promote skin repair.

While ringworm can be unsettling, with proper treatment and care, it can usually be effectively controlled. The key is to detect and treat it early, and to continue treatment until complete recovery.