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Effective Home Remedies for Fast Cat Ringworm Cure

19. December 2024
When you hear the phrase "Ten cats, nine ringworms," it's no surprise that feline skin issues are co

When you hear the phrase "Ten cats, nine ringworms," it's no surprise that feline skin issues are common. If your cat is experiencing itchy skin, hair loss, and circular or elliptical spots with dry, gray scales, it's a strong possibility that they've contracted ringworm. Pet owners can use a Wood's lamp at home for a quick check. If there's a fluorescence, it's usually a sign of a confirmed diagnosis.

While ringworm might sound daunting, with the right treatment, it's manageable even at home. Today, let's delve into the medications that can be used at home to help your cat's skin heal quickly and efficiently.

 

What is Ringworm?

Ringworm, also known as dermatophytosis, is a fungal skin infection, with the majority being caused by Microsporum canis, while a smaller percentage is due to Trichophyton mentagrophytes and Trichophyton verrucosum.

Ringworm is highly contagious, spreading through direct and indirect contact between pets and even to humans.

What Medications Can Be Used to Treat Ringworm at Home?

Since ringworm is caused by a fungal infection, antifungal medications are necessary for home treatment. These include medications like Terbinafine hydrochloride spray, Ketoconazole cream, and Miconazole cream, with oral options like Itraconazole.

Here's how to choose the right medication and treatment steps:

1. Smallscale Infection

① Thoroughly remove the fur around the ringworm spots and 3cm beyond, wet the area with saline solution to remove scales and crusts for better absorption of the medication;

② Disinfect the area with iodine, let it dry, and then apply a small amount of Piput (Terbinafine hydrochloride spray) or Dasunin (Ketoconazole cream) twice or thrice daily.

2. Largescale Infection

① Shave the affected areas or the entire body, bathe the cat with a medicated bath containing chlorhexidine or miconazole, three times a week;

② Apply Terbinafine hydrochloride spray externally twice or thrice daily;

③ Administer Itraconazole at a dose of 5mg/kg once daily. Be cautious with Itraconazole as it can cause liver damage; avoid using it unless diagnosed, and it's not suitable for kittens, pregnant cats, or those with compromised liver function;

④ Give your cat oral multivitamin B complex and pet fish oil to boost immunity, aid in skin and mucosal repair, and provide antiinflammatory effects.

How to Use Medications and Important Notes

1. Use an Elizabethan collar: This not only prevents the cat from licking the affected area, spreading the infection, or worsening the skin damage but also keeps them from ingesting the medication, which could cause adverse reactions.

2. Isolation and Environmental Disinfection: Given the contagious nature of ringworm, it's crucial to isolate the affected cat in a multicat household and use disinfectants containing hypochlorite or petspecific disinfectants for environmental cleaning. Healthy cats can be given a boost of vitamin B to enhance their immunity.

3. Personal Protection: When applying medication or giving a medicated bath, wear gloves and wash your hands thoroughly afterward to prevent fungal infection.

Home treatment for ringworm requires patience and attention to detail. If the cat's condition does not improve after a period of treatment or if secondary bacterial infections occur, it's important to seek veterinary care for a skin scrape test to confirm the diagnosis and adjust the treatment plan accordingly.

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