Feline ringworm, also known as dermatophytosis, is the most common skin infection noted in cats. The cause of this infection is not a parasite as its name implies, but a fungus passed to your cat from another or acquired when your pet comes into contact with the living area of an infected animal. There are several cures for feline ringworm; however, because ringworm can also be passed to humans and other pets, treatment must be aggressive and thorough.
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Is it Ringworm?
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Unlike infected humans, who present with scaly circular lesions on their skin, ringworm looks quite different in our furry feline friends. Ringworm lesions resemble small, circular, hairless wounds that are often filled with pus, so if you note only one spot on your cat, it's easy to assume she may have injured herself. Ringworm is typically found on the head, ears and tail, but can spread to the entire body, causing your cat to lose a large amount of fur. Younger cats (less than a year old) are more susceptible to ringworm, as are elderly cats, outdoor cats, those with suppressed immune systems and breeds genetically predisposed, such as Persians and Himalayans. Ringworm is usually diagnosed by your vet after a culture is taken from a lesion and examined under a microscope.
Ringworm Treatment Techniques
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Simple lesions on short-haired cats can be treated with a topical antifungal such as miconazole or thiabendazole, which is also appropriate for use on kittens. However, cats with multiple lesions or those with longer hair are usually given a lime sulfur dip (most veterinarians will advocate clipping the fur of a long-haired cat to ensure that treatment is effective).
In cases when ringworm is severe, does not resolve with topical treatments or if the fungus has infected your pet's nails, oral medication is prescribed. These drugs go by the names of itraconazole, terbafine and griseofulvin. Oral treatment may be continued until your pet has had two negative cultures that take place at least a week apart.
Treating the Environment
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Because ringworm spores can live for up to 24 months in an environment, the second phase of ringworm treatment may be far more arduous than treating your pet: cleaning your home. As spores are airborne, sweeping and dusting are not advised, as this may cause them to spread. Damp-mopping and vacuuming drapery and furniture are the best way to make sure that ringworm spores are removed. Vacuum bags should be disposed of taken out of the home as soon as possible.
Carpets should be steam cleaned, air conditioning ducts professionally vacuumed and all filters replaced. Hard surfaces should be first cleaned with a water and detergent solution, followed by a solution of one part bleach to 10 parts water. Any grooming tools, bedding and carriers that belong to your pet should also be cleaned with bleach (if bedding cannot be bleached, simply throw it away).
All of this activity and noise may make your pet nervous, particularly if she's just received a lime sulfur dip or is feeling poorly. If your veterinarian's clinic has an isolation area in which to board pets with contagious diseases, you might want to consider having your cat stay overnight while you perform clean-up duty in the home.
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