Ringworm Pills for Cats

Despite its name, ringworm is not a worm. Ringworm is a fungus that can infect both cats and their human companions. Ringworm is technically known as dermatophytosis, and there are three different species of fungus that cause ringworm in felines: Microsporum canis, Trichophyton mentagrophytes and Microsporum gypseum. Signs of ringworm include loss of fur accompanied by a scaly, circular-shaped lesion on the cat's skin. The lesion may also contain small blisters. Oral medication may be prescribed for cats with severe ringworm infections.

  1. Griseofulvin

    • Griseofulvin's primary purpose is to kill ringworm-causing fungal species, and it is not effective against other types of fungal infections. Cats take griseofulvin until the ringworm is healed and for an additional two weeks after to ensure the infection is completely gone. Griseofulvin should be taken with a fatty food (if extra fat is approved by the cat's vet) and may cause some side effects ranging from vomiting, diarrhea, listlessness and loss of appetite, to more serious conditions such as anemia, bone marrow suppression and liver damage. Griseofulvin should not be given to cats that are allergic to it, felines with liver disease, cats who carry the feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) or pregnant or nursing mothers.

    Itraconazole

    • Itraconazole is used to treat a host of serious fungal infections including yeast and ringworm infections. Itraconazole pills should be given to the cat with its meals, and an increase in dietary fat, under the supervision of the feline's vet, is also recommended while taking itraconazole. Side effects of itraconazole include decreased appetite and weight loss, vomiting and/or diarrhea, depressed behavior and liver toxicity, as indicated by jaundice and bleeding issues. The cat may also suffer from additional skin lesions and a swelling of its extremities if taking high doses of itraconazole. Itraconazole is not recommended for pregnant or nursing felines, cats suffering from liver disease or cats that may allergic to the medication or its ingredients.

    Terbinafine Hydrochloride

    • Terbinafine hydrochloride is proving to be another effective oral treatment for ringworm. Much like certain bacterium became resistant to penicillin, certain ringworm fungi are developing resistance to ringworm medication, reports Tim Alfred in Animal Pharm News. Studies demonstrate that terbinafine hydrochloride fights antifungal resistance and has positive effects in controlling the Microsporum canis fungus in particular, according to Alfred. As with the other antifungal medications used to treat ringworm, Alfred warns terbinafine hydrochloride should be used with caution in liver-compromised cats, who may also suffer from "GI disturbances" while taking the medication.