Cat Ringworm Treatment: Medications & Usage Guide

As a veterinarian, I often see cat owners bringing their feline companions in for treatment due to ringworm. Unfortunately, most of the time, the condition is quite advanced by the time they come to see me. This is often exacerbated by the cat's own grooming habits or improper medication, leading to secondary bacterial infections or follicle necrosis. Therefore, as the guardian of a furry friend, I believe it's crucial to understand how to treat ringworm correctly and effectively.

Understanding the Common Symptoms of Ringworm

Before starting treatment, it's essential to confirm that your cat indeed has ringworm. Common symptoms include:

• Rough, brittle fur that easily falls out or breaks off;

• Circular or irregular patches of hair loss, known as ringworm spots;

• Reddish or grayishwhite scales on the spots;

• Itching at the affected areas, leading to the cat frequently licking, scratching, or rubbing its body against objects.

Diagnosis Methods

Accurate diagnosis is the first step in treatment. We typically use the following methods to confirm the diagnosis:

•Wood's Lamp Examination: By shining a Wood's lamp on the suspected infected area, a green fluorescence indicates ringworm. This method is convenient and can be done at home, although its accuracy is lower, so it's only a preliminary diagnostic measure for ringworm.

•Skin Scraping: Collecting a skin sample from the lesion and examining it under a microscope for fungal spores.

•Fungal Culture: Placing the skin sample on a suitable culture medium and observing for fungal growth.

Ringworm Treatment Methods and Medications

Once diagnosed, we can choose an appropriate treatment plan based on the cat's specific condition:

1. Mild Ringworm

Mild cases with small areas of infection are the easiest to treat, with affordable medication and a quick recovery. This is often the golden period for treatment when ringworm is caught early.

Firstly, apply a broadspectrum antifungal medication such as Pipette (Terbinafine Hydrochloride Spray) or Dexatrim (Ketoconazole Cream) topically, twice to three times a day. Before applying, it's important to shave the fur around the affected area, disinfect with iodine, and remove any scales or crusts.

Secondly, administer Vitabiotics (Vitamin B Complex Solution) and omega3 fatty acids to boost the cat's skin immunity and promote healing.

Lastly, use an Elizabethan collar on the cat to prevent it from licking the affected area and spreading the fungus.

2. Severe Infection

For cases with a larger area of infection, it's recommended to combine oral medication with medicated baths.

• Oral medication usually involves Itraconazole, a broadspectrum antifungal drug that is particularly effective for severe ringworm cases. However, it may have side effects such as liver damage or gastrointestinal reactions, so it must be used under veterinary supervision.

• Medicated baths can include antifungal shampoos with ketoconazole or a comprehensive pet bath that can also inhibit fungi, bacteria, and mites. These should be done once or twice a week.

Important Considerations

1. Environmental Disinfection

Ringworm can spread through fungal spores in the environment, so thorough disinfection of the home is crucial.

Use hypochlorous acid disinfectant or a petspecific disinfectant to clean floors, furniture surfaces, the cat's toys, and bedding. Ensure all areas the cat may come into contact with are thoroughly cleaned.

2. Isolation Measures

To prevent the spread of ringworm in the home, the affected cat should be temporarily isolated. Use a separate litter box and change it daily. Minimize direct contact with other pets or people until the condition is under control.

3. Prevention of Recurrence

Even after the cat has recovered, it's important to maintain daily preventive measures to avoid reinfection. This includes regular grooming, checking the cat's skin for any issues, maintaining cleanliness indoors, allowing the cat to get plenty of sunlight, and supplementing with vitamins, lecithin, and omega3 fatty acids as needed.