Ringworm in Cats | PetMD

what is ringworm in cats?

Ringworm or ringworm are the common names for dermatophytosis, a fungal infection that can affect a cat’s skin, hair, and nails. The fungus, which feeds on dead cells, is not actually a worm: the name originated from the classic red round target-shaped lesion surrounded by a scaly ring seen mostly in humans with ringworm. in cats, you’re more likely to notice hair loss and scaly lesions of any form.

There are several types of fungus that can cause ringworm:

• Some are species-specific, meaning they only infect one type of animal.

• Others can be contagious between different species, which means they can be passed from pets to humans. these are called zoonotic.

• one species of dermatophyte, microsporum canis, is responsible for nearly all ringworm infections in cats. it is also infectious to humans and dogs.

• In some cases, ringworm infections in cats can be caused by Trichophyton mentagrophytes. this species is also contagious to humans.

  symptoms of ringworm in cats

  The following symptoms are most commonly seen with ringworm in cats.

  • Cats can have circular patches of thickened skin with hair loss. Hair loss occurs when the fungus infects the hair shaft, causing the infected hair to become weak. these hairs are easy to remove with gentle pressure.

    • You may also notice redness or gray scaling from the lesions, along with a poor, dull coat.

    • Lesions are most likely to be found on the skin of your cat’s head, chest, front legs, and spine. these lesions are usually not itchy at first, but can become itchy if severe scaling or bacterial infection occurs.

    • nail infection is occasionally a symptom. Your cat’s nails can become rough and have a scaly base. this can lead to distortion of the nails as they grow.

      Ringworm can sometimes cause a more generalized condition in which a larger area of ​​the body is affected, often appearing as patchy hair loss. in some more severe cases of ringworm, the skin lesions are raised and nodular. these are called granulomas. these skin lesions may frequently ooze.

      Many cats, especially long-haired breeds, can have ringworm without any clinical signs. these cats, called asymptomatic carriers, can still infect other pets or humans. It is important to note that although these cats do not appear sick, they are highly contagious.

      causes of ringworm in cats

      Ringworm is transmitted by direct contact with the fungus. It can be transmitted by direct contact with an infected animal or person, soil, or a contaminated surface. the fungal spore is very hardy and can survive and remain dormant on bedding, carpets, furniture, brushes, and/or other surfaces for up to 18 months. direct contact with a fungal spore causes infection, but the skin must already be open, through a scratch or scratch, to infect. the fungus cannot infect healthy, intact skin.

      predisposing factors for ringworm infection include:

      • Age: Kittens and geriatric cats with compromised immune systems are at increased risk of infection.

      • Lifestyle: Animals that roam freely or are outdoors are more likely to encounter fungal spores from the environment.

      • Climate: Cats living in warmer, more humid climates have a higher rate of infection.

      • care: Cats that live in a densely populated environment (such as an animal shelter) or receive poor nutrition are at increased risk of infection due to the contagious and resistant nature of cats. this fungus.

      • Health: Immune suppression (factors that decrease the ability to mount a normal immune response) can increase the risk of ringworm infection, but this is seen more in humans than cats .

        The time period between exposure to the fungus and the development of lesions is usually 7-14 days, although in some cases it may take 3-4 weeks before signs are noticed.

        how vets diagnose ringworm in cats

        There are several tests that can be done to help diagnose ringworm in cats:

        • wooden light: This is a fluorescent lamp. microsporum, the most common fungus in cats, undergoes a chemical reaction when it attaches to the fur, causing the lesions to glow green under wood light. A disadvantage of this test is that not all ringworm lesions can be seen under light on wood. often recommended and further testing is necessary.

        • microscopic examination: Hairs taken from the edge of the lesions can be examined under a microscope to look for spores. the spores are very small and can be difficult to see, so further testing is often recommended.

        • fungal culture : hairs are removed from the edges of the lesion, or in asymptomatic cats, hairs are removed with a sterile toothbrush from any part of the body and They are placed in a culture dish to be monitored for fungal growth and help with confirmation of fungal species. a fungal culture can help determine the source of infection and allow for better cleaning of the cat’s environment. One downside to this test is that it can take up to 2-3 weeks for the mushrooms to start growing. An advantage of this test is that asymptomatic carrier cats can be diagnosed.

        • pcr tests: pcr tests are performed on hairs, looking for fungal DNA. it is faster than a fungal culture (results usually come back in 1 to 3 days) and can confirm the infection as well as the species of fungus involved. Because it only checks fungal DNA and not live fungi, one drawback is that it is not useful once treatment has been started. although the fungus is dead and no longer harmful, the dna is still present so the test will still be positive. this is the best test for ringworm in an untreated cat. fungal culture is best for determining when treatment can be discontinued.

        • Skin biopsy: Sometimes a biopsy is done to find fungal spores and rule out other skin problems.

          treatment for ringworm in cats

          treatment is usually a combination of medication applied to the cat’s skin and oral medication. Cleaning your cat’s home environment is essential to reduce further spread and reduce the risk of reinfection.

          Topical therapy: Treatment applied directly to the skin can be used alone for small lesions, but is usually used in combination with oral medications. topical therapy works by directly killing fungal spores, which is important for preventing environmental contamination and useful for preventing contamination to other animals. topical treatment will usually continue for several weeks or even months, depending on your cat’s diagnosis.

          topics include:

          • creams (miconazole/clotrimazole)

          • ointments

          • shampoos

            • dips (sulfide lime)

              Oral therapy: These medications are considered the most effective treatment for ringworm in cats because this treatment targets the fungus to stop it from reproducing and spreading. once treated, only the original fungus remains and can be removed with other treatment options. Each of these oral medications helps treat the most common type of ringworm in cats, microsporum. This same fungus remains in the form of spores in the environment, which is why environmental disinfection is so important.

              Your vet may prescribe one of the following:

              • itraconazole

              • terbinafine

                • griseofulvin

                  Side effects are possible when using antifungals and should be considered before starting therapy. individual cats may have different reactions, but if therapy is discontinued too soon, the infection may recur. treatment lasts a minimum of 4 to 6 weeks and, in some cases, several months of therapy are required. Ringworm cultures are done after the start of treatment to determine if the infection is still present. treatment is usually continued until two consecutive negative ringworm cultures are obtained, usually 2 to 4 weeks apart.

                  Disinfection of the environment: Infected cat hair containing microscopic spores may have been spilled around your home. infection of other animals and humans, or reinfection of the affected cat, can occur through contact with the contaminated environment. ways to disinfect the environment include:

                  • keep the area as free of spores as possible

                  • trimming hair and applying topical treatment to skin lesions

                    • removing pet hair from floors and furniture

                    • use of environmental disinfectants to keep affected rooms clean and maintain a thorough cleaning schedule to ensure no recontamination or spread

                      management of ringworm in cats

                      Commitment is the key to success in ridding your cat of ringworm. Infected animals shed spores into the environment, so disinfecting areas where your cat spends time is just as important as treating your actual cat. Ideally, all pets in contact with the affected cat should be tested and isolated until they are determined to be free of infection.

                      Cats with ringworm will be contagious for about 3 weeks, if aggressive treatment is used. otherwise, the infection may persist for a prolonged period of time. the infection can last from 3 to 6 months or even longer. it is recommended to keep your infected cat away from other animals, objects, surfaces, and family members during this time. be sure to wear gloves when handling your cat and wash your hands thoroughly afterward.

                      Most cats who receive proper treatment will recover from a ringworm infection, and you should see improvement in 2-3 weeks. Symptoms may recur if treatment is stopped early or not aggressive enough, or if there is an underlying condition that affects your cat’s immune system. if the infection persists, your vet may need to try alternative medications.

                      ringworm in cats frequently asked questions