Emergency Treatment for Cat Ringworm Abscess - Avoid St

Ringworm in cats is a common skin condition that, while it may take some time to treat, is not particularly challenging. However, when ringworm progresses to a suppurative stage, the situation becomes more complex. At this point, not only do you need to treat the fungal infection, but you also have to deal with bacterial infections. If you continue to treat it as a regular case of ringworm, it can be difficult to manage the condition effectively.

What is Cat Ringworm?

Cat ringworm is a skin disease caused by a fungus known as "Trichophyton." It spreads primarily through contact with infected animals or objects. Symptoms typically include circular or elliptical patches of hair loss, redness, grayish scales, and crusts.

Why Does Cat Ringworm Suppurate?

Suppurative ringworm in cats is a secondary bacterial infection. The primary reason is that cats often lick or chew at the affected areas, making them moist and providing a breeding ground for bacteria. Other contributing factors can include severe ringworm infections that have not been treated effectively, damp environments, parasitic bites, and a weakened immune system in the cat.

When ringworm progresses to the suppurative stage, in addition to the basic symptoms, you may observe the following:

Red and swollen lesions

Discharge of yellow or green pus

May have an unpleasant odor

Cats may appear listless or restless due to pain

Why Can't You Treat It Like Regular Ringworm?

Standard treatments for ringworm usually involve topical or systemic antifungal medications, such as terbinafine hydrochloride spray, ketoconazole cream, itraconazole, and griseofulvin.

However, when ringworm becomes suppurative, it indicates the presence of a bacterial infection. Simply using antifungal drugs is not effective in controlling the bacterial infection and can even lead to increased antibiotic resistance.

Correct Treatment Methods

Local Cleaning: Trim the fur around the ringworm lesion, then rinse with hydrogen peroxide to disinfect, remove the pus, and finally rinse with saline. If there are crusts on the lesion, use saline or iodine solution to moisten them, soften the crusts, and gently remove them, followed by a hydrogen peroxide disinfection.

Topical Medication: After cleaning the suppurative area, apply "Pipute Skin Spray" and "Dashi Ning (Ketoconazole Cream)" topically twice a day. The ketoconazole in the compound cream not only kills fungi but also contains metronidazole and other antiitch ingredients, making it effective against bacterial infections as well.

Oral Medication: Administer itraconazole and cefadroxil tablets orally once a day. Itraconazole is an antifungal medication, with a dosage of 510mg/kg, and is not recommended for kittens under 3 months of age. Cefadroxil is a broadspectrum antibiotic that effectively controls bacterial infections. Additionally, feeding the cat "Shivibi (Vitamin B Complex Solution)," lecithin, and fish oil can enhance skin resistance and promote healing.

Isolation Measures: Temporarily isolate the cat to prevent crossinfection with other pets or family members.

Environmental Disinfection: Thoroughly clean and disinfect the cat's living area, especially items and bedding that the cat frequently comes into contact with.

After ringworm becomes suppurative, the treatment period will be relatively long. Pet owners need to maintain patience and attention to detail. If the cat's condition does not improve after treatment, it may be related to other causes, and it is advisable to visit a veterinary hospital for a checkup to determine the specific cause.