Over 80% of Feline Ringworm Cases Require No Medication

Adorable as they are, these tiny kittens can appear fragile, which is why many pet parents become quite anxious upon noticing symptoms of ringworm, such as hair loss, dandruff, and scabs. However, it's quite common for young kittens to contract milk dandruff, and it's actually easier to resolve than ringworm in adult cats.

Understanding the Mechanism of Young Kitten Ringworm

Milk dandruff, also known as milk ringworm, primarily occurs due to the kittens' underdeveloped immune systems. Environmental factors also play a supporting role, such as:

1. The nipples of the mother cat are often moist, and after nursing, the kittens might get some milk residue on their bodies, especially around their mouths, which can lead to fungal growth and infection;

2. The kittens might knock over their water bowls during play, causing the kitten bed to become damp and fostering bacteria and fungi;

3. At around 2 to 3 months of age, kittens may experience a new environment, leading to stress and a drop in immunity.

Ps: It's very common for kittens between 1 to 3 months to contract milk dandruff, but it won't affect their fur growth later on and is not easily transmitted to humans or other pets. So, there's no need to worry too much.

Diagnosing Ringworm in Kittens

1. Observing Symptoms: Milk dandruff shows similar symptoms to ringworm in adult cats, mainly hair loss, dandruff, and scabs, with red skin in the affected areas.

2. Affected Areas: Since milk dandruff is often caused by fungal infections from milk residue, some kittens might also step in the milk, leading to infections around their mouths and front paw pads.

3. Wood's Light Examination: By using a Wood's light to shine on the hairless areas, if there is a green fluorescence, it's generally a sign of ringworm.

4. Professional Examination: If you're unable to diagnose the condition, it's best to consult a veterinarian or take your kitten to a pet hospital for a skin scraping test.

Treating Ringworm in Young Kittens

● In reality, 80% of milk dandruff cases resolve on their own as the kittens grow older, without the need for medication. However, pet parents should take the following care measures:

1. Gently wipe the affected areas of the kitten with physiological saline daily, and after each feeding, pay close attention to the mouth area and paw pads. If milk residue is found, it should be wiped dry immediately;

2. Regularly change the nursing pads in the kitten bed, ensuring the room is wellventilated and dry;

3. Fit the kitten with a small Elizabethan collar made from cardboard to prevent it from scratching the affected areas;

4. Let the kitten bask in the sun for a while each day to reduce fungal infections;

5. Feed the kitten a little Supervitamin B (a solution of composite vitamin B) daily to enhance the skin's immunity.

▲For more severe cases of milk dandruff, antifungal medications can be applied locally:

1. Soak the scabs and dandruff on the affected area with physiological saline to soften them, then carefully remove them;

2. Trim the hair around the affected area as much as possible to prevent the spread of fungi;

3. Apply a moderate amount of Dasatinib (ketokonazole ointment) or Pipet (terbinafine hydrochloride spray) to the affected area. Both are broadspectrum antifungal skin medications effective for both adult and milk ringworm, but be careful to avoid the kitten's eyes and mouth area.

4. For milk dandruff around the kitten's mouth, use Pipet skin spray. Although this spray doesn't target fungi specifically, it forms a silver ion protective layer on the skin surface, reducing damage from bacteria, fungi, and other pathogens, promoting skin repair and healing, and can be safely licked off.

▲ For kittens over 3 months old with ringworm, conventional treatments can be administered:

1. Local infections can be treated with terbinafine hydrochloride spray or ketokonazole ointment, applied 2 to 3 times a day;

2. For widespread infections, oral itraconazole is recommended to quickly kill fungi throughout the kitten's body, leading to a rapid recovery.

Caution: Oral antifungal medications like itraconazole and terbinafine can easily cause liver damage, so it's not recommended for kittens under 3 months old!