What Are the Effects of Ringworm in Cats if Left Untreated?

Ringworm is a type of fungal skin infection that causes circular patches of hair loss on a cat's coat, with red rings in the patch centers giving the infection its name. This is a highly contagious condition that can affect a cat's coat, nails and skin. Without treatment, it can cause extreme discomfort and spread to humans and to other pets in your home.

  1. Identification

    • Dermatophytosis, commonly known as ringworm, is caused by contact with fungal spores. There are more than 40 types of dermatophyte fungi, several of which can cause feline ringworm, although Microsporum canis is the most common cause of ringworm in cats, according to the Feline Advisory Bureau. Contact with other ringworm-infected cats, spores in the soil, and contaminated grooming tools can all cause ringworm infection in a cat, especially a cat with a compromised immune system or broken skin. While ringworm can affect cats of any age, it typically infects kittens under 1 year old, and it affects long-haired breeds of cats more than short-haired ones.

    Effects and Diagnosis

    • The ringworm fungus causes hair loss (also called alopecia), skin lesions, itching, dandruff and scaly, inflamed skin, according to PetPlace. The infection is typically seen on and around the face, head, ears and paws. Because the illness resembles other types of skin conditions such as flea allergy dermatitis and feline acne, a veterinarian must perform tests to properly diagnose the condition. These tests include inspection of the coat with an ultraviolet light called a Wood's lamp, a microscopic examination of the infected hairs, and a fungal culture of a skin sample in a laboratory, according to the Feline Advisory Bureau. Always consult with a veterinarian if you suspect your cat has contracted a ringworm infection.

    Treatment Considerations

    • Left untreated, a ringworm infection can resolve itself after several weeks in a healthy cat. Unfortunately, without treatment, the infection will continue in some cats. Some skin conditions cause lesions that can make cats more vulnerable to infection with dermatophyte spores. Treatment of these conditions, including mite and flea infestations, can help resolve a ringworm infection. To treat a persistent case of ringworm requires bathing the cat in an antifungal shampoo twice a week, or applying a cream or dip to the skin. Oral medications such as itraconazole and ketoconazole may also be recommended by your veterinarian. Treatment can last several months, depending on the severity of the infection.

    Warnings

    • Ringworm is contagious to cats and to humans, and an untreated cat increases the chances of passing the infection to someone in your home. After handling a cat with a ringworm infection, or her bedding, wash your hands thoroughly. People with compromised immune systems should wear gloves to prevent acquiring the disease, or avoid handling the cat altogether. Clean all washable items in the cat's environment thoroughly with a diluted bleach solution, adding 1 part bleach to 20 parts water, PetPlace suggests. Throw away items that cannot be washed. Vacuum carpets, and wash floors with the bleach solution. Keep other cats in the household away from the infected animal until your veterinarian confirms the infection has subsided.