The cat ringworm (feline dermatophytosis) it’s a type of fungal infection that can affect our furry roommate, whether it’s long-haired or short-haired. This disorder, if not treated adequately and in time, can have serious consequences on the health of the cat, for this reason it is necessary to know how to recognize the signs of malaise that may appear and treat them promptly
In this article we explain what is the feline dermatophytosiswhat are its symptoms, the causes and how the eventual occurs contagion with man.
What is cat ringworm?
Cat ringworm is one of the most common dermatophytosis (fungal infections) among felines. It’s about pathogenic fungi which parasitize the keratinized tissues (fur, epidermis, nails, stratum corneum) of animals and other people.
In the case of the Cat, these fungi land on the hair and skin of pets making the infested area full of scabs and at risk of infection.
Ringworm can strike dogs and cats with different modalities and symptoms. According to the latest scientific studies, these mushrooms would develop more in the warmest and most humid areas. For this reason, care must be taken, especially during the summer period, but don’t underestimate autumn either, in which a large incidence has been found.
Where do cats get ringworm?
Ringworm is most commonly caused by Microspores of the doga mushroom that recognizes in the Cat its ideal host (despite the misleading name that can make the dog think).
In some rare cases, however, the cause may be another type of fungus belonging to the family dei microsporum, which normally affects other animals (such as cattle or pigs) and is found to infest a cat that has come into contact with this type of animal.
The transmission of ringworm occurs by direct contact with an animal or with contaminated material (kennel, blankets, etc.). However, it is not certain that a cat that has come into contact with the fungus develops the disease: in fact, it is possible that the cat is only a mechanical vector, a healthy carrier.
Of course, since it is a contagious disease, the cat must be isolated from other animals. It is advisable to create a space that is easy to clean as once healed it will be decontaminated to avoid the danger of relapses.
How is ringworm transmitted from cat to human?
If your furry roommate has been infected with ringworm, in some cases, it is possible that humans can also contract it through contact with the cat or with the environment itself. For this reason, once the vet has made his diagnosis, it is necessary to put into practice some strict hygiene standards until the cat is healed to avoid being infected.
To avoid contracting cat mycosis it is necessary to isolate the animal in an environment in which he is the only one who has access, clean the environment every day with specific detergents (also in this case ask the vet for advice) and avoid touching the cat or come into contact with the environment in which it is located without the aid of protection such as latex gloves.
Symptoms of ringworm in cats
Symptoms may vary depending on the age and coat of the cat. As a rule, however, the classic manifestations of this infection are round areas in which there is patchy hair loss with erythema and scabs.
Your cat will tend to lick, nibble and scratch the affected area due to itching. These symptoms may initially affect the outside of the ears, muzzle and front legs, and then disappear, but recur (if the disorder is not treated) in other areas of the body, a sign that the mushroom expands and moves. In very rare cases it is possible that the cat also develops pustules. The cat areas most affected are:
- Coda;
- Ears (external and internal);
- Area around the eyes;
- Lower limbs;
- Naso.
How to recognize ringworm in cats?
Identify ringworm it is not easy as its symptoms are common to other skin infections. For this reason, a veterinary consultation is necessary before putting into practice any type of remedy.
The veterinarian will formulate his diagnosis thanks to various investigations: first of all, the animal’s coat will be examined with Wood’s lamp (ultraviolet light) in order to identify specific strains of Microsporumlater we will pass to the observation of the mushroom spores under the microscope and finally we will make acultural analysis of the same to ascertain the lineage to which they belong.
How to cure cat ringworm?
Once the feline dermatophytosis has been identified, the vet will be able to prescribe the most suitable treatment for the cat. Usually, the specialist will prescribe antifungal medicines to be taken by mouth.
The medicines for ringworm in cats the most common are based on itraconazole and/or grieofulvin. The pharmacological treatment will also be associated with shampoos based on miconazole or lime sulphide to be carried out once or twice a week.
If the vet deems it appropriate he could also advise to shear the cat.
Once the treatment has been prescribed, control fungal cultures will be carried out to understand how the therapy is working and when it is necessary to stop it.
Does ringworm in cats heal on its own?
Spontaneous healing of the animal is rarely seen.
How long does it take for cat ringworm to stop being contagious?
Treatment for cat ringworm can last anywhere from a few weeks to a few months, depending on the severity of the condition. Normally, however, the cat affected by ringworm requires a treatment of at least eight weeks to recover.
Once the cat has started treatment it is possible that the skin lesions disappear, but that the infection is still in progress, for this reason it is necessary to repeat the culture tests to verify the real recovery of the cat.
Natural remedies for ringworm in cats
In addition to pharmacological remedies, it is possible to resort, naturally only after having had the consent of the veterinarian, to natural treatments for cat ringworm. In fact, it is possible to integrate medicines with colloidal silver-based principals (natural antibiotic) for both external and internal use, cumin oil, vitamins and zinc.
Since feline dermatophytosis mostly affects cats that have weak immune systems, your vet may also prescribe supplements food to strengthen our cat.
—
Article reviewed by:
Francesco Reina
Veterinary assistant