60% Cat Ringworm: Poor Care at Fault?

Many pet parents are often puzzled when they discover their cats have contracted ringworm: "Our home is always clean, so how could our cat have caught ringworm?" The truth is, ringworm in cats is often "raised" by us, with numerous contributing factors, environmental factors being just one of them.

Understanding the Common Causes of Ringworm in Cats

1. What is Ringworm?

Ringworm in cats, also known as dermatophytosis, is a skin disease caused by fungal infections. The most common pathogens include Microsporum canis, Trichophyton mentagrophytes, and Trichophyton verrucosum. These fungi are widespread in nature and can affect not only cats but also other animals and humans.

2. Causes of Ringworm

Ringworm fungi have a strong affinity for animals and can exist on cats without causing disease. However, under certain conditions, the likelihood of a cat contracting ringworm increases:

Cats with weakened immunity: Kittens, senior cats, sick cats, or those with poor nutrition and monotonous diets are more susceptible to ringworm.

Environmental factors: Cats living in damp, dirty, and poorly ventilated environments are more prone to fungal and bacterial growth.

Direct contact: Cats may contract ringworm by coming into contact with animals or humans with fungal skin diseases, or by touching contaminated items.

Stress: Cats are more vulnerable to ringworm when they are stressed, such as during changes in their environment, after bathing, or when they feel neglected or disciplined.

Improper grooming: Longterm lack of bathing, excessive bathing, not drying off properly after a bath, or using nonpetspecific shampoos can affect skin health and lead to ringworm or other skin conditions.

Other skin issues: Sometimes, bacterial infections, skin injuries, parasitic bites, and allergies can lead to secondary fungal infections.

Preventive and Treatment Measures for Ringworm

1. Immediate Isolation

Isolate the cat with ringworm immediately and take precautions when interacting with it to prevent infection.

2. Local Treatment

Trim the fur around the affected area and use iodine to clean the skin, removing scales and crusts.

Apply antifungal medications, such as Pifate (terbinafine hydrochloride spray) or Daxingning (ketоконазол cream), twice or three times a day.

Fit the cat with an Elizabethan collar to prevent it from scratching or licking the affected area.

3. Systemic Treatment

For severe cases of ringworm with a large affected area, oral treatment with Itraconazole may be necessary, taken once a day at a dose of 5 to 10 mg/kg.

In addition, a medicated bath with 24% calcium arsenate can be used for cats with widespread infections.

4. Environmental Disinfection

Thoroughly clean and disinfect items such as carpets, furniture, cat beds, and toys to reduce the presence of fungal spores and prevent reinfection or crossinfection. Maintain a dry, wellventilated, and clean living environment for your cat to prevent the proliferation of bacteria, fungi, and mites.

5. Nutritional Supplementation

Supplement your cat's diet with B vitamins, lecithin, and omega3 fatty acids to boost its immunity and aid in skin repair.

As a cat owner, it's essential to pay attention to your cat's health from all aspects of daily life. This includes not only providing a comfortable and clean living environment but also managing their nutrition and emotional wellbeing to keep them free from the烦恼 of ringworm.