Can Feline Ringworm Be Cured? Will It Recur After Heali

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Ringworm, a common feline skin condition, often causes great distress for cat owners, especially when it recurs repeatedly. The recurrence of ringworm not only affects the health and quality of life of the cats but can also pose a potential threat to the health of family members.

So, why does ringworm keep coming back? This involves multiple complex factors. Below, we will delve into the causes, treatment, environment, and care from various aspects.

Possible Reasons for Ringworm Recurrence:

1. Contact with Infected Dogs or Cats:

Ringworm is a zoonotic disease that can be transmitted between cats and dogs, and it can easily lead to reinfection if you come into contact with a cat or dog suffering from fungal skin disease.

→ In multipet households, if there is a cat or dog with a fungal infection, it is crucial to isolate them immediately and thoroughly disinfect the environment to prevent crossinfection. Remember to wear gloves and wash your hands after applying medication to a cat with ringworm.

2. Incomplete Treatment:

Ringworm is not treated consistently. Some cat owners stop the medication when they see the symptoms improve, which can lead to drug resistance and make ringworm more likely to recur!

→ When treating ringworm, apply Dasatinib (ketokonazole ointment) or terbinafine hydrochloride cream topically twice a day. For systemic infection, oral itraconazole capsules can be given once daily, with the dosage based on the cat's weight (510mg per kilogram). The treatment course is 48 weeks.

3. Residual Ringworm Fungi in the Environment:

The causative agent of ringworm is primarily Microsporum canis, a zoophilic fungus that can persist on animals without causing disease (especially in cats and dogs) and can remain in indoor environments for up to 18 months! This means that even if the cat has been cured, if the home environment is not thoroughly cleaned, the cat can easily become reinfected.

→ Regularly clean and disinfect the entire home, maintain good ventilation, and control humidity to avoid fungal residues. Also, expose your cat to sunlight more often, as it can act as a natural杀菌 agent.

4. Low Immune System in Cats:

Cats with a diet that is too monotonous and lacks vitamins, proteins, trace elements, and other nutrients may not have a healthy body and sufficient nutrition to fight off fungi in the environment, making ringworm likely to return.

→ Supplement your cat's diet with vitamin B, unsaturated fatty acids, and ensure a balanced diet. Increase your cat's physical activity to boost its immune system.