Cat Hair Loss and Ringworm: Effective Medications
When your feline friend starts to shed excessively, develop bald spots, or shows signs of ringworm, take a deep breath. Ringworm in cats is not an insurmountable skin condition; it just requires a bit of patience and persistence with medication. Today, we'll delve into the nittygritty of diagnosing ringworm, the steps for treatment, and what to keep an eye on to help you navigate the treatment process with clarity and avoid unnecessary detours!
Diagnosing Ringworm in Cats
Firstly, here are the telltale signs that your cat might have ringworm:
Circular or elliptical patches with clear edges, often with dandruff and crusts at the center;
Hair loss in patches, which may break or fall out completely;
Intense itching, leading the cat to rub or bite at the affected areas;
In severe cases, the patches may be surrounded by redness, thickened skin, and bald spots.
To confirm whether your cat has ringworm, you can use a Wood's lamp to shine on the affected area. Typically, areas infected with Microsporum canis will glow a fluorescent green under the lamp's light, though this is not foolproof. The most reliable method is through a skin scrape and microscopic examination, or by culturing the fungus.
What to Do If Your Cat Has Ringworm?
1. Isolation: As soon as the diagnosis is confirmed, isolate your cat to prevent the spread of the fungus to other pets or family members. Use separate feeding bowls, water dishes, and litter boxes, and disinfect regularly.
2. Cleaning and Disinfection: Use hypochlorite solution or petspecific disinfectants to clean your cat's living area, including beds, catnaps, sofas, toys, floors, and walls. The spores are hardy, so regular cleaning and disinfection are crucial until the infection is cleared.
3. Treatment:
Shaving: Trim the hair around the ringworm lesions by 3 to 5 cm to expose the area for better absorption of medication. If the infection is widespread, consider a fullbody shave.
Topical Medication: Apply antifungal medications such as Pipette (Terbinafine Hydrochloride Spray) or Daktarin (Ketoconazole Cream), choosing one, twice or thrice daily.
Oral Medication: For severe infections or slow recovery, oral itraconazole can be given at a dose of 5 mg/kg once daily, not to exceed one week. Additionally, you can administer Vitabiotics (Vitamin B Complex Solution) to aid in skin healing and boost your cat's immunity.
Dipping: For extensive infections, consider using dips that can inhibit bacterial and fungal infections, administered once or twice weekly. Be cautious not to overdo it to avoid drying out the skin and impeding healing.
Elizabethan Collar: Use an Elizabethan collar to prevent your cat from licking the affected areas, which can worsen the skin damage and infection, and to stop the spread of the fungus to other healthy skin.
Important Considerations
1. Precautions for Humans: Ringworm can also infect humans, especially children and those with weakened immune systems. Therefore, while treating your cat, take personal protective measures, such as wearing gloves when applying medication and washing hands and disinfecting after contact with your cat.
2. Sunlight Exposure: Encourage your cat to spend time in the sun, as UV light can kill bacteria and fungi, improve circulation, and keep the coat dry, reducing the risk of skin diseases.
Ringworm is a common feline skin condition. While it's highly contagious, it can be effectively controlled and cured with proper treatment and preventive measures. Don't worry too much. If there's no improvement after treatment, take your cat to the vet for a reexamination to rule out other pathogens that might be causing a mixed infection.