Ringworm in the Ear

Transmission

• Ringworm is contagious, and is transmitted by contact with the fungus spores. The transmission may occur by direct contact with the infected skin of a cat or by contact with spores in the environment. Your cat may contract ringworm by sharing space or grooming tools with an infected cat.

  The most susceptible cats are young kittens, old cats and long-haired cats. Persians seem to be more prone to ringworm than other breeds of cats.

Symptoms

• A case of ringworm causes a small, round, hairless sore on the cat's skin. Ringworm on the ear may be identified earlier than on other parts of the cat's body since the hair on the ear is often shorter and won't cover the sores. The exposed sore may appear scaly or inflamed. There may be pustules on the sores, and the cat may show discomfort by scratching his ears. It is important to remember that in the beginning stages of the disease there may be no symptoms. As the disease progresses, the sores may grow and affect larger areas of the body.

Diagnosis

• There are three main ways of diagnosing ringworm. A special type of black light, called a Woods' light, causes some varieties of ringworm to fluoresce, or glow, an apple green color. This method is successful in diagnosing about half of the varieties of ringworm. Alternatively, your vet may pluck hairs from around the sores and look at them under a microscope. This method successfully diagnoses ringworm in 40 percent to 70 percent of cases. The most reliable method of diagnosis is a lab culture. Your vet will take a skin sample from your cat's sore and perform a culture that is designed specifically to identify ringworm.

Treatment

• Small lesions on the ears will be treated with a topical treatment. Long-haired cats often need to have their hair clipped before a topical treatment. The preferred treatment is a lime sulfur dip, which smells bad and may temporarily turn your cat's hair a yellowish color. A cat with a severe case of ringworm may need an oral antifungal agent to treat the infection. If treatment with a topical cream has no effect after two to four weeks, your vet may also prescribe an oral antifungal agent.

Prevention

• To prevent a recurrence of a ringworm infection, clean all grooming tools, feeding dishes and living areas. Clean any surfaces that will handle it with a 10 percent bleach solution. Wash pillows and blankets in very hot water. Vacuum furniture and drapes and steam clean your carpets. Avoid sweeping and dry dusting, as this will send the fungal spores into the air. Do not share grooming tools with other cat owners.