Cats and kittens seem particularly prone to ringworm, especially when they come from shelter or rescue environments. Ringworm is caused not by a worm but by a fungus, and can be transmitted to people and other animals. Learn to identify the symptoms of ringworm so that you can take proper action to eliminate it.
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General
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Ringworm typically shows up as bare areas within the fur, and the skin may appear red, dry or flaky.
Location
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Ringworm can occur anywhere on a cat's body. It frequently appears on the head and face, and may start out in one area and then spread to other body parts.
Progression
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The bare patches may become very red and scab over, as in the example shown here. The affected areas can expand, and the central area may or not heal as the outer portion spreads.
Sensation
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From the behavior of most felines with ringworm, it seems that they do not experience the extreme itchiness that humans experience. However, some do, and this can lead to scratching and further aggravating the area.
Confirmation
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To confirm that symptoms are in fact due to ringworm and not another condition, veterinarians use a black light or other diagnostic techniques to verify the presence of one of the three types of fungus that cause ringworm.
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