How Can You Tell If a Cat Is Carrying the Ringworm Fungus?

Ringworm is a skin infection caused by fungi. While worms do not cause it, the circular patches of irritated skin bear resemblance to worms, and thus the name. Your cat can become infected with ringworm by being around another animal that is infected or by coming in contact with contaminated items, such as bedding and grooming tools. Spores can remain in an environment and cause reinfection for up to 13 months. Ringworm is fairly easy to treat, once you recognize that your cat has the infection.

Things You'll Need

  • Wood's lamp (fluorescent lamp)
  • Medication prescribed by a veterinarian
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Instructions

    • 1

      Look for circular patches of hair loss on your cat. These most often occur on the head and limbs. These bald patches---which sometimes have dry, scaly skin in the center---start small and continue to grow in size. There might also be scratching by the cat due to itching, dandruff and infection of the claw and claw bed.

    • 2

      Examine your cat beneath a Wood's Lamp (an ultraviolet lamp, sometimes referred to as black light). Hair shafts infected with ringworm will glow a fluorescent green under the lamp. Bear in mind that only 50 percent of ringworm species can be detected this way.

    • 3

      If you suspect your cat is infected with ringworm, take it to a veterinarian. He or she will examine your cat and might do a microscopic examination to look for fungal spores on the cat's hairs. They might also take a hair sample and perform a culture on it, which will accurately determine the exact species of ringworm causing the infection.

    • 4

      Once diagnosed, the veterinarian will prescribe treatment. Common treatments include special shampoos or lime sulfur dips, as well as anti-fungal drugs the cat will take orally. If you have a multiple cat household, all cats will need to be treated.