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Cat Ringworm - An Owners Guide to Ringworm in Cats

29 12:01:07

Cat Ringworm - An Owner's Guide to Ringworm in Cats






     Ringworm in cats is caused by various fungal organisms. Since cats less than a year old don't have fully-developed immune systems, they are affected most often. Cats with longer hair also have more problems with ringworm. The condition is also very infectious as it can be transmitted to other cats, dogs, and even you.

Forms

As I mentioned earlier, cat ringworm is caused by various fungi. They include Microsporum Canis, Microsporum Gypsum, and Trichophyton. Most cats are affected by Microsporum Canis. So, what are some of the symptoms you should look for?

Symptoms

This fungus dwells in your cat's hair follicles. This weakens the shafts which causes hair to fall out. As the condition progresses, the hair loss will develop into circular patches usually on the head and limbs. Your cat may also have dry, flaky skin that's very itchy.

Diagnosis

There are multiple methods your veterinarian can diagnose this disease. The easiest way is to use an ultraviolet lamp. When exposed to this lamp, any fungus will glow a fluorescent green. Another way to diagnose ringworm in cats is to remove a few strands of hair and ship them off to the lab. The sample will sit for a while to see if any fungus grows.

Treatment

If left untreated, your cat will likely get rid of the condition himself in two to four months. However, as I mentioned, the disease is very contagious and can transmitted to you and other animals. So, it's best to get it treated quickly.

One of the main methods used to treat cat ringworm is shampoo with lime sulfur. The condition can also be treated with anti-fungal medications. If your cat has long hair, you should clip it so the treatment regimen is more effective. If you have more than one cat, you should take preventative measures and treat them also.