Symptoms & Treatment of Feline Ringworm: A Comprehensiv

Cat ringworm is a contagious fungal infection. Symptoms are often easy to spot, but stubborn cases can be challenging to cure. Successful treatment typically requires several weeks or even months for your cat to recover from the disease.

Three Common Types of Cat Ringworm

There are three common types of ringworm that commonly infect feline species:

● Microsporum canis (the most common)

● Trichophyton (usually contracted by contact with rodents)

● Microsporum gypseum/Geotrichum (usually contracted by contact with spores in the soil)

Ringworm typically affects two distinct categories of cats:

● Kittens, whose immune systems have not fully developed

● Adult felines with weakened immunity (due to a weakened immune system)

Cats' immune systems can be compromised by stress, medications, or other diseases.

How Cat Ringworm Spreads

Ringworm is spread through contact with fungal spores, known as conidia.

● Contact with infected animals

● Exposure to asymptomatic carriers

● Direct contact with the environment (such as soil) containing actual fungal spores

Like all spores, they are highly resistant to environmental factors and can survive for up to 18 months.

Not all pets will contract this disease. Some may be infected but show no obvious signs. Among these animals, some may become carriers (used grooming products and clippers can also spread the disease).

In infected animals, conidial sheaths can be found around the infected area (on fur, skin, or nails). These spores fall off and spread.

Ringworm is also a common zoonotic disease, meaning it can be transmitted from animals to humans. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, cats, dogs, cows, goats, pigs, and horses can all transmit ringworm to humans, but not all forms of the disease can be transmitted.

If your cat has ringworm, it's important to take immediate steps to prevent yourself from getting infected. Wear gloves and a smock when handling your cat and wash your clothes immediately after contact. Cats can also be asymptomatic carriers. If you have multiple pets and one has ringworm while others seem symptomfree, one of them may be a carrier. You will need a veterinarian to help you address this issue.

Symptoms of Cat Ringworm

Typical symptoms of cat ringworm present as patchy hair loss, with the edges appearing like circular scales. In fact, the disease's name comes from the circular, ringlike appearance on the skin. Some cats with ringworm may have little to no hair loss and seem unaffected by it. Others may have noticeable hair loss and distinct scaling, which can spread throughout the body.

The most common areas of infection are:

● Head, face, ears, tail, and paws

Early symptoms include:

● Dry, scaly skin

● Bald spots on the ears, legs, and around the eyes

Affected areas may be itchy or not itchy.

In some cats, especially those with suppressed immunity, symptoms may persist. If left untreated, symptoms will worsen and eventually develop into scaly, infected lesions, which often become red.

How to Treat Cat Ringworm

Ringworm is typically a selflimiting disease, meaning it often clears up on its own, but this may take several months. Not all cats can resist the disease, and it may involve genetic susceptibility; otherwise, all animals will eventually develop immunity to ringworm unless their immune systems are suppressed. Medications can be given to help heal the process and prevent the spread of the fungus.

The following forms can be used to treat or prevent:

● Oral or topical antifungal treatment

● Soaks

● Sprays

● Shampoos

Oral medications have been found to be the most effective in treating and preventing the spread of ringworm in cats. These methods have side effects, so it's necessary to consult with a professional veterinarian. It is recommended that all infected cats, especially longhaired cats, be shaved. This allows topical medications to work more effectively and also prevents broken hair from spreading spores, leading to reinfection. To prevent reinfection in other pets or family members, it is recommended to clean the room with a 1:10 bleachtowater solution. For items that may be bleached, use a 1:30 ratio. Be cautious when handling, and do not allow children, cats, or other pets to enter the wet bleach solution.