Itraconazole for the Treatment of Ringworms in Cats

As a cat owner, it is crucial to be familiar with illnesses that could affect your feline companion. One such infection is ringworm. One of the most common medications for treating ringworm is itraconazole. Knowing the symptoms of ringworm can help you obtain proper medication for your cat. And in medicating your pet, it is also ideal to know the pros and cons of itraconazole.

  1. What Is Ringworm?

    • Ringworm is not actually a worm but rather a common fungal infection that can affect the hair, skin and nails of your cat. The fungus feeds on dead skin cells and hair, and warm weather is known to encourage fungus growth. Several types of fungi can cause ringworm. Peteducation.com notes that Microsporum canis, Microsporum gypseum, or Trichophyton are the most common types of fungi that cause ringworm.

      Cats can get ringworm from a multitude of sources such as direct contact with fungal spores that can be located on an infected animal, infected grooming utensils, or in a boarding facility or area in which an infected animal has been. Ringworm spores can survive for extended periods of time. Your cat can contract the disease in an area in which an infected animal has been days after the infected animal was present. The presence of ringworm can be detected by skin lesions that are hairless and can be scaly, red or inflamed. The patches are commonly found on the face, tail, paws and ears.

    Feline Suseptibility

    • Healthy young adult cats which are over a year old usually have a natural immunity to ringworm. However, cats with suppressed immune systems, illnesses, or disease have an increased risk.

    Itraconazole

    • Itraconazole is a drug which is marketed as Sporanox by Janssen Pharmaceutica. It is an anti-fungal drug that works by preventing the growth of the fungus. Itraconazole is not labeled for the use of dogs and cats, but veterinarians prescribe it as an off-label drug. When itraconazole is obtained from a veterinarian, she can properly prescribe the correct dose and directions for administering the drug.

    Dosing for Itraconazle

    • A veterinarian will most often prescribe 2.5 to 5 mg of itraconazole per lb. for cats to be administered orally every 12 to 24 hours. Note that fungal infections are most often treated for several weeks in order for the drug to be effective and that itraconazole should never be given without veterinary consent.

    Side Effects of Itraconazole

    • Although itraconazole is generally safe when prescribed by a veterinarian, it is not unusual for the drug to have adverse effects in cats.

      As with humans, animals with a known allergy should not be given itraconazole. Any other prescription medications your cat is on should be mentioned to your veterinarian in case there is a possible drug interaction.

      Contact your veterinarian immediately if your cat has signs such as vomiting or diarrhea or loss of appetite. These signs can indicate liver damage, a less common but more severe severe side effect.