Fast Treatment for Feline Ringworm: Recovery Time Expla
Dear pet owners, if your cat has been suffering from ringworm, also known as dermatophytosis, and it's not improving, you might be worried about its severe hair loss and constant scratching. Repeated infections can be frustrating, but remember, while ringworm is not a difficult disease to treat, it's crucial not to become complacent. Incorrect treatment can lead to follicle damage, leaving your feline friend bald for good...
Ringworm, or dermatophytosis, is a fungal skin infection typically caused by Microsporum canis or Trichophyton mentagrophytes. Treatment for this condition usually takes longer than for bacterial skin diseases.
How long does it take for ringworm to heal?
Generally, a small area of ringworm can be treated with topical sprays or ointments, such as Terbinafine hydrochloride spray, Ketoconazole ointment, and Miconazole ointment. Local application of these treatments is convenient and gentle, but the healing process can be lengthy, often requiring 2 weeks to a month. For larger infections, it may take up to 2 months to fully recover.
How to speed up the healing process of ringworm?
If you find that topical treatments are not effective or the skin is healing slowly, consider combining local therapy with oral antifungal medication and medicated baths.
Local Treatment: Use Piput (Terbinafine hydrochloride spray) or Dasunin (Ketoconazole ointment) after cleaning the area with iodine. Apply 2 to 3 times a day.
Oral Antifungal Medication: Itraconazole is commonly prescribed at a dosage of 5 to 10 mg/kg, taken once daily, but should not be taken continuously for more than a week.
Medicated Baths: Use baths with antiseptic properties, administered once or twice a week, ensuring your cat does not lick the solution.
Important Note: While oral Itraconazole can suppress fungi throughout the body, including on the skin's surface and in hidden areas, it can also cause liver and kidney damage. Therefore, it should not be used longterm. Additionally, it is not suitable for kittens under 2 months old, pregnant females, or cats with liver or kidney diseases.
Supplementary Treatments and Preventive Measures:
Shaving: Trim the hair around the affected area, apply a saline compress to soften the scabs and dander, and gently remove them to allow the medication to work more effectively.
Environmental Disinfection: Regularly clean and disinfect your cat's living environment, including beds, litter boxes, toys, and floors, using hypochlorous acid disinfectant or petspecific cleaners to reduce the spread of pathogens and prevent recurrent infections.
Nutritional Support: Provide your cat with supplements like Supervet (Vitamin B Complex Solution) and fish oil. Vitamin B aids in mucosal repair and strengthens the immune system, while fish oil has antiinflammatory properties and promotes skin health.
The duration of ringworm treatment depends on the severity of the infection, the cat's immune response, and the effectiveness of the treatment method. If your cat's recovery is slow, it may be resistant to the medication or there could be a misdiagnosis. In such cases, it's essential to consult a veterinarian for a skin scrape test, a reevaluation, and a tailored treatment plan.
