猫咪猫癣初期症状通常包括： 1. 皮肤出现红斑 2. 小水泡或脓包 3. 皮肤瘙痒或脱毛 4. 疼痛或不适

Ringworm, also known as dermatophytosis, is a common skin condition caused by fungi. It can affect a cat's skin, fur, and claws, significantly impacting their quality of life. This disease is not only uncomfortable for the feline but also contagious, potentially spreading to humans or other animals through direct contact. Therefore, recognizing the early signs of ringworm and employing proper diagnostic methods is crucial.

Part 1: Symptoms of Ringworm

● Early Symptoms of Ringworm

1. Redness and Swelling: The cat's skin may develop small red spots or areas of hair loss.

2. Itching: The affected area will feel itchy, prompting the cat to scratch excessively.

3. Dandruff and Hair Loss: The skin will have scales, and the fur may become rough and fall out in patches.

4. Lesions: As the condition progresses, circular or elliptical lesions may appear, often covered with scales.

5. Lesion Location: Ringworm commonly occurs on the face, trunk, limbs, and tail.

● Late Symptoms of Ringworm

If left untreated, ringworm can worsen, leading to the following late symptoms:

1. Lesion Expansion: The lesions may grow larger, causing deeper skin damage.

2. Skin Breakdown: Continuous itching and scratching can lead to broken skin around the lesions, scabs, and even pus formation.

3. Increased Hair Loss: The extent of hair loss may expand, affecting the cat's appearance and health significantly.

4. Secondary Bacterial Infection: Skin damage from ringworm can lead to secondary bacterial infections, complicating the condition.

As the cat's condition worsens, the fungus may spread to the environment through dander and fur, increasing the risk of infection in other animals or humans.

Part 2: Diagnosis and Treatment of Ringworm

—— Diagnosing ringworm typically involves the following steps:

● Clinical Examination: Observe the cat's skin symptoms to determine if there are scales, crusts, or characteristic circular lesions of ringworm.

● Wood's Lamp Examination: In a dimly lit area, use a Wood's lamp to shine on the cat's hairless areas. Certain types of fungi will emit a green fluorescence.

● Microscopic Examination: Take a sample from the affected area, such as scales or fur, and examine it under a microscope for fungal spores.

● Culture Test: Place the sample in a culture medium suitable for fungal growth and observe for the growth of fungi. This method is the most accurate but takes 1 to 2 weeks.

—— Treatment Methods for Ringworm:

● Cleaning and Disinfection: Trim the fur around the lesions to make it easier to apply medication and observe the skin.

● Topical Treatment: Use iodine to disinfect the area and apply a medication such as Daktarin (Clotrimazole Cream) or Pipette (Terbinafine Hydrochloride Spray) twice or three times a day.

● Nutritional Support: Feed the cat Adequibene (Vitamin B Complex Solution) to supplement B vitamins, which aid in skin repair.

● Environmental Disinfection: Regularly clean and disinfect the cat's living environment and items to reduce fungal growth.

Keep in mind that the described symptoms of ringworm are typical and common, but individual cases may vary. If you notice any suspected ringworm symptoms in your cat and the Wood's lamp examination does not show a green fluorescence, it's advisable to seek veterinary care for a skin scraping examination.