Ringworm, or dermatophytosis, is the most common fungus infecting cats. Kittens, older cats and long-haired breeds, says the ASPCA, are most at risk of getting ringworm. If not treated, ringworm can cause severe hair loss and leave a cat vulnerable to secondary bacterial skin infections.
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Types of Medication
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Feline ringworm is treatable with topical and oral medications, shampoos and dips. The choice of treatments depends on the seriousness of a cat's infection.
Mild Ringworm
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Small ringworm lesions on otherwise healthy short-haired breeds can be treated directly with an antifungal-based topical cream. Common choices are miconazole and thiabendazole creams.
Moderate Infections
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Micozanole shampoos and rinses and lime sulfur dips treat more serious ringworm infections. Many vets recommend clipping long-haired cats before treatment to fully expose their lesions.
Severe Infections
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Heavy ringworm infestations require both topical and oral medication. Itraconazole capsules are the oral medication of choice, but Gresofulvin is also effective.
Considerations
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Continue ringworm medication treatment until your cat's skin cultures test negative for ringworm spores for two consecutive weeks. Don't stop his medication simply because his lesions heal.
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