Program for Treating Ringworm in Kittens

Dermatophytosis, more commonly known as ringworm, is the most common skin infection of felines. A worm does not cause the condition, as the name suggests, but it is caused by an infection of the skin, nails and hair with fungal organisms that cause hair loss and dermatitis. Ringworm can infect cats of any breed and age but long-haired cats, such as Persians, and kittens may face a greater risk. Kittens are at a higher risk because of their weaker immune system. Lufenuron, the active ingredient of Program, is a flea-fighting medication by Novartis Animal Health.

  1. Efficacy

    • In 2000, the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association highlighted a study of 159 cats and 129 dogs with ringworm that suggested lufenuron could be an effective treatment of ringworm. However, subsequent research published in the article, "Effects of lufenuron treatment in cats on the establishment and course of Microsporum canis infection following exposure to infected cats," by experts at the Department of Medical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine at University of Wisconsin, showed little or no efficacy when using lufenuron to treat ringworm. The consensus seems to be that more evaluation is necessary and, at best, lufenuron should be used as an adjuvant therapy in treating ringworm rather than being used as a first-line treatment, as noted by Andrew H. Sparkes of The Feline Unit, Animal Health Trust Lanwades Park in the U.K. According to an article by Karen A. Moriello, of the Department of Medical Sciences at the University of Wisconsin-Madison in Wisconsin, systemic therapy is the preferred treatment for feline dermatophytosis; however Moriello does not use any of the systemic antifungal agents in kittens younger than 8 weeks old unless the only other alternative is euthanasia.

    Background

    • In 1995, Ciba Animal Health, now known as Novartis Animal Health, received U.S. approval for the flea product Program. This medication had already been in use for about five years in some 35 other countries. Initially, Program was a prescription medication but it was granted over-the-counter status in 1997, meaning that a prescription was no longer required. An injectable form of Program became available for cats in 1998. Lufenuron is a chitin inhibitor and because fungal organisms are partially made of chitin, it sparked interest in the possible use of lufenuron to treat fungal infections.

    How Program Works

    • Program's active ingredient, lufenuron, inhibits the production of chitin in insects. Chitin is material made of a hard exoskeleton that protects insects. Flea larvae must produce chitin in order to hatch, but if the mother flea has passed along a dose of lufenuron to the larvae then they cannot hatch. In addition, flea dirt, which are black specks of digested blood, is very nutritious for larvae but if the flea dirt is full of lufenuron, the larvae will not be able to grow the necessary exoskeletons and they will die. One injection of lufenuron, which is stored in the body fat, is effective for six months.

    Side Effects

    • No side effects have been reported because Program works on enzyme systems that are unique to insects. However, the oral form of lufenuron must be given on a full stomach so it can properly absorb into the body, according to Wendy C. Brooks, Educational Director of VeterinaryPartner.com.

    Treatment Recommendations

    • In an article written by Karen A. Moriello, of the Department of Medical Sciences at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, she stated that there are several treatment options. Clipping the coat is optimal when treating ringworm but isn't necessary in every case. Administering a topical antifungal therapy twice weekly has shown to be effective and, in some cases, lime-sulfur is suitable for a sole therapy. The treatment of choice is a combined topical and systemic therapy. Griseofulvin, itraconazole, terbinafine and hydrochloride have been shown to be the most effective systemic antifungal therapy, stated Moriello.