Stages of Ringworm in Cats

Contrary to the name, ringworm is not a worm; rather, it is a fungal infection. In cats, ringworm can affect the skin as well as the hair and nails. Ringworm is highly contagious and can affect all mammals. Owners who suspect that their feline has the skin infection should take the cat to a veterinarian as soon as possible to ensure the infection does not spread to other animals, or people, in the household.

  1. Initial Infection

    • Ringworm lesions are typically red and circular. In mild cases, the lesions are small and localized. The lesions appear on the cat's skin, and you may not be able to see them initially because the animal's coat will hide them. You may notice patches of dandruff in your cat's hair and your cat may begin scratching around the infected area. Long-haired cats in particular may carry the fungus for a long time without showing any outward signs or symptoms, so you will want to check the skin and coats of these cats regularly for signs of infection.

    Severe Infection

    • Ringworm is not fatal in cats, but unpleasant consequences grow as the infection progresses. As infection becomes more severe, the red and circular lesions become less localized. Once the infection spreads, scaly patches develop on the cat's skin. The cat may experience hair loss around the mouth and on the head and forelimbs. If left untreated, ringworm causes serious skin infections in cats, and veterinarians will likely have to shave an infected animal as a precaution to stop the fungus from spreading.

    Treatment

    • To treat mild cases of ringworm, a cat will need to be shampooed with an antifungal shampoo dip once or twice a week for three to six weeks. A veterinarian may also recommend a topical antifungal cream. If the infection is severe, a veterinarian will prescribe an oral medication in addition to shampooing and topical therapies. When bathing the cat, you should take precautions to avoid infection, such as wearing rubber gloves along with a face mask and some sort of eye covering. Those in the household with suppressed immune systems should stay away from the cat during the treatment period to avoid infection. Clean cat bedding with bleach and throw away toys or other cat items that you cannot easily disinfect.