Unveiling the Hidden Secrets of Feline Ringworm: A Surp

Ringworm, a common feline disease, is primarily caused by fungal infections and spreads through direct contact. Young kittens are more susceptible to ringworm than adult cats, especially those who have just moved to a new environment. This is because the stress of adapting to a new setting can weaken their immune systems, making them more prone to developing the condition.

The clinical symptoms of ringworm include localized hair loss, which can eventually lead to scabbing and the absence of fur. Itching is also a common symptom. To confirm a diagnosis, a veterinary examination under a Wood's lamp, combined with the observed clinical signs, is typically sufficient.

Let's talk about how to prevent ringworm first?

1. Keep your cat's living area dry, clean, and wellventilated, especially during the humid season.

2. Supplement your cat's diet with Vitamin B or a multivitamin, and consider feeding highprotein meats.

3. Sunlight is beneficial for your cat's skin health, but avoid excessive exposure.

4. Avoid contact with cats known to have ringworm.

5. Feed your cat highquality cat food.

6. Use catspecific shampoos and avoid bathing too frequently.

7. Keep your cat away from dark and damp environments.

What should you do if your cat contracts ringworm? Don't worry; while ringworm can take a while to cure and may be contagious to humans, it typically doesn't pose significant health risks to cats.

Below are some personal treatment plans for ringworm, for reference only:

1. Ensure your cat wears an Elizabethan collar, as they usually get used to it after a couple of days. The benefits outweigh the drawbacks.

2. Refer to the prevention plan above, which can also be applied to the treatment.

3. Shave the affected area, and disinfect your cat's daily items and environment. Disinfectants like DuPont Disinfectant can be used.

4. For mild to moderate ringworm: a combination of multivitamin B, nutritional paste, lecithin, and Petrin spray (optional, as it is a hormonal medication, it is listed as optional), along with Golden Drop or Ailodrop (optional, to boost skin immunity, not to be used with Petrin), and oral medication (optional, such as itraconazole tablets) (optional medications should be used according to the severity of the ringworm or as advised by a veterinarian).

5. For severe ringworm: in addition to the treatment for mild to moderate cases, use麻辣洗 (a foreign import bath liquid available on Taobao), wash twice a week for about 20 minutes each time, and ensure the fur is completely dried afterward. This is only recommended for cats over four months old.

6. During the ringworm period, it's crucial to ensure your cat's nutritional intake. Feed them multivitamin B daily, and if possible, increase their intake of fresh meats like chicken, fish, and beef.

7. Humans should also take some vitamin B to boost their immune systems and avoid transmission.

Ringworm can be identified as healed when the affected area has regrown fur.

Don't panic if you find your cat has ringworm. Please don't abandon your cat; instead, treat them promptly. Ringworm spreads quickly, and even a couple of days can lead to a wider infection, making it harder to treat.

The treatment process for ringworm can be lengthy, ranging from a few weeks to a couple of months. Therefore, pet owners should be mentally prepared, showing patience, and consistently administering medication to ensure their cat's recovery.