One of the most important things to understand about ringworm is that it is caused by a fungus, not a parasite or worm. Ringworm is a fungal skin infection that gets its name from the ring-shaped rash that usually appears on the skin of an infected person or animal. In cats, most ringworm infections are caused by the fungus known as microsporum canis.
Ringworm is contagious and can spread easily, but it’s treatable. While any cat can get ringworm, kittens and long-haired cats are most susceptible. if your cat is suffering from hair loss, round skin sores, or excessive brushing, ringworm could be the cause.
Here’s what to look out for if you think your cat might have ringworm.
how is ringworm spread in cats?
Ringworm is caused by a fungus that thrives by eating away at dead skin, hair, and nail tissue. once the fungus comes into contact with a human or animal, it settles in the top layer of the skin, hair, or nails. it usually takes 1-2 weeks after initial contact before symptoms of infection begin to appear.
Cats can get ringworm if they have had direct contact with an infected animal, person, object, or surface. the same applies to humans; If you touch the infectious spores on the animal itself or on an item where the spores were spread, you could contract ringworm yourself.
Spores can live on objects and surfaces for up to two years, which can make it difficult to identify the source of infection and prevent spread. If you think your cat might have ringworm, there’s a chance the infection could spread to people or other animals in your home.
Healthy people with strong immune systems are less likely to get ringworm, and disinfecting surfaces and objects in your home will help reduce the potential spread of infection.
signs of ringworm in cats
asymptomatic
Some cats with ringworm can be asymptomatic. there are a few reasons why this is so.
First, if the initial contraction of the fungus occurred within the last two weeks, it might be too early in the infection process for symptoms to appear.
Second, if a long-haired cat is infected, it may have too much hair to easily see the common symptoms of hair loss and round skin sores.
Third, some cats are asymptomatic carriers, which means they may never show symptoms of the infection, even though they have ringworm and still be able to pass it on to others.
loss, damage or discoloration of hair
Because the fungi that cause ringworm feed on dead hair, skin, and nail tissue, hair loss is a major warning sign of ringworm in cats. you may find small, medium, or large bald patches on your cat. bald spots may be circular, revealing round sores on the skin.
Your cat may also show symptoms of hair damage; Their coat, once healthy and shiny, may have patches of thinning or broken hair. your hair may appear unshaven or discolored. In an animal infected with ringworm, fungal spores can move from the skin surface into the hair shafts, causing hair loss, damage, and discoloration.
skin inflammation
A common sign of ringworm is inflammation of the skin. this can manifest itself in different ways. Your cat may have scaly, scaly skin on its head, ears, tail, and paws. the skin will appear dry, flaky or crusty. because of this, dandruff is a related symptom. If you notice your cat has a lot of dander on her coat or from scratching or grooming, you may want to examine her skin for patches of dry, flaky skin.
Your cat’s skin may also have red sores, red bumps, or discoloration. Ringworm is commonly identified by the circular red sores it causes on the skin. this may be more difficult to see in cats than in humans, since cats are completely covered in hair. Comb your cat’s fur to see if you can find areas of skin that are red, showing new sores, bumps, or inflammation.
Cats may have patches of dry, scaly skin, round, red skin sores, or both.
infected claws
Less commonly, ringworm can attack a cat’s claws and nail beds. check your cat’s claws to see if they are brittle, damaged, pitted or scaly at the base.
excessive grooming
Because ringworm damages hair, skin, and nail tissue, these areas are likely to be itchy or painful. this can cause your cat to overgroom, usually in one or more areas where the infection is most evident.
treatment of ringworm in cats
Your cat will need to be diagnosed with ringworm by a veterinarian before treatment can begin. They can use ultraviolet light to try to identify fungal spores in your cat’s fur. they may also take a hair or skin sample or perform a culture test.
Once ringworm has been determined to be the cause of the infection, you can begin treating your cat. this usually involves a combination of topical, oral, and environmental treatment.
topical and oral medication
The extent of topical treatment will depend on the severity of the infection. In small-scale infections, antifungal creams can be used as a spot treatment on patches of affected skin. in more advanced infections, your cat’s coat may need to be clipped and bathing with an antifungal shampoo may be necessary. follow your veterinarian’s advice to determine if clipping or shampooing is necessary.
Antifungal medications can also be given through oral medications. this is known as a “systemic medication” and is an important component of a ringworm treatment plan.
environmental
Disinfect or remove any objects or surfaces your infected cat has touched. Since ringworm can live on objects and surfaces for up to two years, decontaminating your home is essential to prevent the spread of ringworm.
Thoroughly wash bedding, blankets, and any fabric materials your cat has slept on or rubbed on. vacuum all furniture, surfaces and floors. wipe down hard surfaces and floors with a cleaner and consider deep cleaning your carpets.
It’s a good idea to keep your cat in one room or area of the house while it heals. this can prevent reinfection or spread.
auto-resolve
If your cat is healthy and has a strong immune system, the ringworm infection may resolve on its own over time without treatment.
However, this process can take up to a year, and that means there is a high potential for fungal spores to spread in your home and garden during the time it takes for your cat to heal.
Your cat is likely to be very uncomfortable during that time as well, battling hair loss and skin inflammation. By treating your cat, you can help him feel better and limit the spread of infection.
cure and prevent ringworm in cats
after treatment has begun, expect your cat to need at least 4 to 6 weeks of ongoing treatment to heal. even with ongoing treatment, the infection remains contagious for that period of time. the best thing to do is follow your vet’s advice and continue with the full course of treatment. if treatment is stopped too soon, reinfection may occur.
It’s also important to maintain regular decontamination around your home for the next 4-6 weeks, as regular cleaning and decontamination will help eradicate ringworm from your home for good.
if in doubt, contact your vet
Since not all of us are lucky enough to have a degree in veterinary medicine, there are many times when we just don’t know what’s going on with our pets. at parkway vet emergency clinic, we are here for you and your pets in times of need.
If you have any questions about your pet’s health, please don’t hesitate to call us at (863) 665-3199!
