Essential Guide: Early Symptoms of Feline Ringworm - Hi

Ringworm in cats is a highly prevalent skin disease that not only poses a threat to the health of our feline friends but can also be transmitted to humans. To avoid feeling overwhelmed when encountering ringworm, it's best for new cat owners to familiarize themselves with the basics of this condition, including its causes, symptoms, and treatment methods.

Understanding the Causes of Ringworm

Ringworm in cats is caused by a specific type of fungus, primarily including Trichophyton canis, Microsporum gypseum, and Microsporum verrucosum.

These fungi can reside in the skin, fur, or claws of cats and multiply rapidly under favorable conditions. Ringworm spreads through direct contact with infected skin or fur, or indirectly through contact with contaminated items such as furniture, carpets, and brushes.

Cats are at risk of contracting ringworm for various reasons, including:

Cats with poor nutrition or underlying health issues that weaken their immune systems are more susceptible to ringworm.

Young kittens and older cats, whose immune systems are either underdeveloped or declining, are more prone to the disease.

Poor living conditions, such as overcrowding, poor hygiene, and damp, hot environments, can increase the risk of infection.

Close contact with other animals suffering from ringworm can also raise the chances of infection.

Recognizing the Symptoms of Ringworm

Initial Symptoms: At the beginning of ringworm, cats may exhibit localized hair loss or broken fur, with dry, flaky patches resembling dandruff on the affected area.

Intermediate Symptoms: Hair loss spreads, forming circular or irregular patches with clear boundaries. The skin may become red, moist, or crusty, and cats may frequently scratch at the affected areas.

Advanced Symptoms: Ringworm can lead to secondary bacterial infections, causing redness, sores, and crusts. The affected area may expand, and the cat may experience widespread hair loss.

How to Diagnose Ringworm?

1. Wood's Lamp Examination: Use a Wood's lamp (a light that emits ultraviolet light) to shine on the suspected infected area. Some types of fungi will glow under the Wood's lamp, particularly Trichophyton canis, which can help quickly identify the infection.

2. Laboratory Testing: Some cases of ringworm may not show fluorescence under the Wood's lamp, and there may be mixed infections involving various pathogens (fungi, bacteria, mites, etc.). In such cases, a veterinary hospital should be visited for skin scraping microscopy, fungal culture, and other diagnostic methods.

Treating Ringworm in Cats

For smallscale infections, topical treatments can be effective. Here's how to proceed:

1. Trim the fur around the ringworm lesion, then disinfect the area with iodine and remove the skin and crusts to ensure the medication can penetrate the skin effectively.

2. Apply topical antifungal medications such as Dasatinib (ketоконазол cream), Pipette (tолнафен hydrochloride spray), and clotrimazole cream twice to three times a day. Remember to fit the cat with an Elizabethan collar to prevent it from licking the medication.

3. Feed the cat Supervitamin (composite vitamin B solution) and fish oil to boost its immune system and speed up skin repair.

4. Regularly disinfect the cat's living environment to reduce fungal growth and prevent recurrent infections.

For widespread infections, in addition to the above treatments, cats may need to be given oral itraconazole, once daily, at a dose of 5 to 10 mg/kg. If the cat is cooperative, medicated baths can also be used, such as 2 to 4% lime sulfur or 0.2% econazole solution, once or twice a week.

How to Prevent Ringworm in Cats?

1. Maintain a Clean Environment: Regularly clean the cat's living area, keeping it dry and wellventilated. Regularly bathe the cat to maintain skin cleanliness.

2. Strengthen the Cat's Immunity: Provide a balanced diet and ensure adequate nutrition to enhance the cat's immune system. Regular exercise can also improve the cat's resistance to diseases.

3. Regular Checkups: Regularly comb the cat's fur and check for any signs of abnormal hair loss, dandruff, or crusts. Treat any abnormalities promptly.

4. Avoid Contact with Sick Cats: Try to prevent the cat from coming into contact with other cats suffering from ringworm or other animals to avoid transmission.

As a new pet owner, recognizing the early symptoms of ringworm in cats is crucial. Early detection and treatment are essential for the healthy growth of your beloved pet. Don't forget to implement preventive measures to eliminate ringworm infections at the source, ensuring your cat lives a happy and healthy life.