Effective Home Remedies for Kittens with Ringworm: How

When it comes to the most frustrating cat diseases, ringworm is undoubtedly one of them. Recently, a pet owner left a message on the Oxygen Pet website asking, "My kitten is over 20 days old and has developed ringworm. What should I do? Is it contagious?"

While it's natural to feel anxious in such situations, please take a deep breath and remain calm. It's important to know that ringworm in kittens is quite common, and often, it doesn't require medication. The condition can resolve on its own!

What Causes Ringworm in Kitten Pups?

Ringworm in kittens over 20 days old can be attributed to several factors:

1. Low Immunity: Newborn kittens have underdeveloped immune systems and weak resistance, making them more susceptible to fungal infections and skin lesions.

2. Moist Environment: Dampness promotes fungal growth. When kittens nurse, they may get milk residue on their mouths and paw pads, which can serve as a food source for fungi. If not cleaned promptly, this can lead to ringworm infection.

3. Contact with Sick Animals: If there are other cats or dogs with ringworm in the household, the disease can be transmitted through close contact.

Ringworm in kittens is primarily caused by low immunity, so it's usually not contagious to adult cats or humans. However, if the ringworm is transmitted from an adult cat to a kitten, it can be contagious.

How to Handle Ringworm in Kitten Pups?

Most milkinduced ringworm does not require treatment. As kittens grow older, their immunity improves, and the ringworm will often heal on its own. However, to prevent excessive skin damage that could affect fur growth later on, pet owners should take the following care measures:

1. Maintain Dry and Clean Skin: Regularly clean the kitten's mouth and paw pads with physiological saline to remove milk residue and keep the skin dry and hygienic. If there are skin injuries, use iodine tincture for disinfection.

2. Pay Attention to Environmental Hygiene: Regularly change the litter in the cat窝, check if the water bowl has been spilled, and monitor indoor humidity to ensure good ventilation and dryness. Additionally, regularly clean the kitten's living utensils, such as beds and toys, and use petspecific disinfectants for environmental disinfection. Place the cat窝 in the sun to reduce fungal growth.

3. Boost the Kitten's Immunity:

（1）Supplement B vitamins: Give the kitten a little Shiwei Bi (Composite Vitamin B Solution) daily to promote cell metabolism and improve the kitten's skin immunity.

（2）Supplement immunoglobulins: Feed the kitten nutritional supplements that can supplement immunoglobulins, such as Antitel (IgY Antibody Factor) and lactoferrin.

（3）Provide sunbathing conditions: Let the kitten bask in the sun regularly, placing it in a place with soft light for 23 times a day, for 1520 minutes each time, to avoid skin burns or heatstroke in the kitten.

4. Isolate Sick Cats: To prevent the spread of ringworm, it is recommended to isolate the sick kitten from healthy ones and avoid close contact. When feeding, you can keep the mother cat and the kitten together separately, and clean the mother cat's breasts and surrounding skin with physiological saline after feeding to prevent indirect transmission of fungi to other kittens.

5. Wear an Elizabethan Collar: Ringworm can cause itching, so if the kitten scratches the affected skin, it needs to wear an Elizabethan collar. (There may not be a suitable neck collar for small kittens on the market, so pet owners can make one out of cardboard.)

When Should You Consider Medication?

If the above measures are taken for 24 weeks and the kitten's condition does not improve, or even worsens, consider using antifungal medications for treatment.

Commonly used medications include:

1. Topical medications: Dashe Ning (Compound Ketoconazole Ointment), Pi Pu Te (Tebuconazole Hydrochloride Spray), and other antifungal ointments or sprays. After cleaning the skin, apply the medication directly to the affected area once or twice a day. Be careful to avoid sensitive areas such as the eyes, mouth, and nose.

2. Oral medications: Kittens over 3 months old can take antifungal oral medications such as itraconazole and griseofulvin. To avoid liver damage, you can take them with liverprotecting drugs.

In summary, when dealing with ringworm in kittens over 20 days old, we don't need to worry too much. As long as we follow the above steps, the kittens have a good chance of healing on their own. At the same time, we should pay attention to the daily care of the cats, improve their immunity, and prevent ringworm from occurring. During the treatment process, be patient and confident, and believe that the kittens will overcome the illness and grow up healthily.