Cat Ringworm Ulcer Treatment: Is There Hope?

Ringworm in cats, a skin condition that's neither too severe nor too trivial, can often be managed without causing significant harm to the feline's health or lifestyle in its early stages. However, if left untreated, ringworm can spread throughout the body, leading to skin lesions, scabs, and even pustular ringworm due to the cat's constant scratching. So, is there hope for a cat with ringworm that has developed ulcers? And how should one treat it effectively?

Part 1: Understanding Ringworm

1. Definition of Ringworm

Ringworm, also known as dermatophytosis, is primarily caused by fungi such as Microsporum canis, Trichophyton mentagrophytes, and Trichophyton verrucosum, with Microsporum canis being the most common, affecting over 90% of cases.

2. Modes of Transmission

Ringworm is spread through direct contact with infected sources, such as other cats, dogs, or other animals, or by touching items contaminated with the fungus. Additionally, the fungus can survive in the environment, so outdoor cats may also be at risk.

3. Symptoms of Ringworm

The typical symptoms of ringworm include hair loss, itching, redness, and scales. In severe cases, the cat's skin may develop ulcers and secondary infections.

Part 2: Treating Ringworm Ulcers

When a cat's ringworm progresses to the ulcerative stage, treatment becomes more challenging but certainly not without hope. Here are some recommended strategies:

1. Cleaning and Disinfection

Wash the affected area with physiological saline to remove scales and inflammatory secretions. If there are scabs, soak them in physiological saline to soften and then gently remove them.

2. Antifungal Medications

Select appropriate antifungal medications to treat the causative fungi. Common treatments include:

（1）Topical medications: Products like Pimafucin (terbinafine hydrochloride spray), clotrimazole cream, and Dactarin (ketoconazole cream) can be applied directly to the affected area, twice to thrice daily;

（2）Oral antifungal drugs: Medications such as itraconazole and griseofulvin can suppress fungi systemically. Itraconazole is typically 510mg/kg and griseofulvin 3060mg/kg, taken once daily;

（3）Shampooing: For widespread infections, antifungal shampoos containing ketoconazole can be used for bathing the cat, once or twice a week;

（4）Oral antibiotics: Since ringworm ulcers often indicate secondary bacterial infections, cats may need to be fed antibiotics like amoxicillinclavulanate potassium or Cefadroxil tablets to prevent and control inflammation.

3. Supportive Therapy

（1）Nutritional Support: Supplement the cat's diet with vitamins (like Vitamin B complex), lecithin, unsaturated fatty acids, minerals (such as zinc), and taurine to boost the immune system and help fight off pathogens;

（2）Itching Relief: Since scratching can worsen the condition, cats may need to wear Elizabethan collars during treatment. If the cat resists or struggles, chlorpheniramine maleate tablets can be administered;

（3）Maintaining a Good Living Environment: Regularly disinfect the home environment, keep the living space clean and wellventilated, avoid dampness, and reduce the growth of pathogens.

Generally, with proactive treatment, most cats can recover within 13 months. However, it's important to note that ringworm can recur frequently, so maintaining a clean environment and providing adequate nutrition after recovery is crucial.