Ringworm in Cats: Symptoms, Contagion and Treatment

Have you noticed that your kitten lacks hair in various areas of its body? Have you ever heard of ringworm in cats? Ringworm is one of the most common dermatological disorders in cats. The appearance of this disease can cause alopecia, among other things. However, there are other consequences for which you should check if your cat suffers from this pathology. Keep reading the article, here we tell you all the details you should know about this disease: main symptoms, most prominent causes, treatments and remedies that can be of great help.

What is ringworm in cats?

Ringworm is a fungal skin infection in cats, caused by a fungus called Microsporum Canis, which inhabits the superficial layers of the skin, hair, and nails. In general, these are fungi that usually do not manage to penetrate the skin and only do so when an imbalance occurs, such as wounds or lesions caused by parasites. Ringworm is more likely to occur in kittens that have not yet developed a good immune system, or in those animals that are weaker, either due to their age or because they suffer from some other disease. Thus, it is a contagious pathology but, in general, it will only pose a problem in those animals or humans with a weak immune system. This explains why, even within a close coexistence, not all the animals in a house are affected.

It is estimated that around 20% of cats are carriers of the fungus. A carrier is a cat that transmits ringworm to the environment or to animals and people without showing signs of infection.

Causes of ringworm in cats.

There are many and diverse reasons that cause the appearance of ringworm, the most common have to do with the care and nutrition of your cat.

Bad nutrition

Poor nutrition in our kitten promotes the appearance of this fungus, since it takes advantage of the lack of nutrients in our pets.

Low immune system defenses

The fact that a cat has low defenses and constantly falls into various pathologies is an obvious cause of the appearance of ringworm.

Lack of hygiene in the environment

If the kitten lives in a dirty and unhygienic environment, the chances of contracting ringworm are very high. The places that most cause the appearance of ringworm are: humid, with little sunlight, with heat accumulation or with a great lack of cleanliness. We recommend reading hygiene in cats .

Presence of parasites or previous diseases

All cats that have suffered from a parasitic disease or are suffering from it are more likely to contract ringworm on their skin. For this reason, it is important to go to the veterinarian to treat the pathological picture.

Stress situation

Although it is one of the least likely causes, we cannot rule out stress as a possible cause of ringworm in cats. For this reason, we offer you cbd for dogs , natural options that help lower the anxiety and stress levels of our four-legged friends.

 

 

Contagion with another feline or animal

Ringworm in cats is a highly contagious disease that can be transmitted from cat to cat, the fungus can be spread by direct or indirect contact.

It is important to know that blankets, litter boxes, and play items used by a cat with ringworm are real sources of infection for many healthy cats. For this reason, it is important to always isolate our pets and take care of the hygiene of everything they touch.

Symptoms of ringworm in cats

Symptoms of ringworm in cats include:

1. Red, itchy skin in a circular area
2. Hair loss in the affected area
3. Hair growth in the center of the lesion
4. Flaking or crusting on the skin
5. inflammation and swelling

How is feline ringworm spread?

Ringworm in cats is spread through the spores of the fungus that cause it, which spread through the environment and, therefore, go from cat to cat. In this way, it is a highly contagious disease, since it is not necessary to be in direct contact with the sick cat, it is enough to touch the same objects. However, as we mentioned before, mainly those cats with a defenseless immune system will be affected.

A healthy animal can come into contact with the fungus without actually developing the disease because its body's defenses will be efficient enough to control its progress. In this way, the ringworm would be self-limiting, without causing further damage. Instead, it will be easier for them to catch:

• Kittens under one year.
• Adult cats suffering from a disease, especially autoimmunodeficiency.
• Cats that are going through stressful situations.
• Older cats.
• Long-haired cats because they have more difficulty removing spores during grooming.
• Therefore, also in humans, children, people with a low immune system and the elderly will be risk groups.

Does feline ringworm spread to humans?

Yes, feline ringworm can be contagious to humans. Although the fungi that cause ringworm in cats are different from those that cause ringworm in humans, humans can contract the infection by coming into contact with infectious fungi. The fungi can survive on surfaces such as dirt, straw, or infected hairbrushes and be transferred to people who touch them. Symptoms in humans can include rashes, itching, and scaling of the skin. It is important to wash your hands after handling a cat with ringworm and to avoid sharing objects with the cat, such as toys and bedding, to prevent transmission of the infection.

Tips to avoid ringworm in cats

Here are some tips to avoid ringworm in cats:

1. Keep your cat and its surroundings clean and dry.
2. Wash your hands after handling a cat with ringworm or a contaminated object.
3. Do not share toys, beds, or other objects with other cats or animals.
4. Keep the cat away from infected surfaces, such as dirt and straw.
5. Provide good medical care and nutrition to maintain a strong immune system.
6. Seek veterinary attention immediately if your cat is suspected of having ringworm.
7. Treat infected cats appropriately to prevent the spread of the infection.

It is important to take steps to prevent ringworm in cats, as it can be contagious and requires treatment to ensure a full recovery.

 

Treatments for ringworm in cats

Treatments for ringworm in cats include:

Topical or oral antifungals

These medications are administered directly to the skin or through the mouth to kill the fungus that causes ringworm.

Antifungal shampoo

These products are applied to the skin and left on for a period of time to kill the fungus.

UV light therapy

This therapy uses ultraviolet light to kill the fungus on the cat's skin.

Vinegar bath

An apple cider vinegar bath can help reduce itching and promote skin healing.

It is important to follow the vet's instructions and treat the infection until it is completely gone to avoid a recurrence.

It should be noted that ringworm in cats can cause stress and anxiety due to the itching and discomfort associated with the infection. Ringworm can be uncomfortable and painful for cats, which can interfere with their quality of life. Additionally, medical treatments can be uncomfortable and stressful for cats, which can exacerbate anxiety. Therefore, you can support your kitty in the disease process with our Waggy's pet products.

The prizes that are our little friends are made with cannabis for cats for its action and benefits that it brings to the health of your pet.

Conclusion

Now that you know about ringworm in cats, its behavior and how it can be transmitted, we hope that all this information is useful to you and that you can help your pet, prevent it, and in case of any possible symptoms of ringworm that you detect, go immediately to your trusted vet, as he is the only person capable of correctly diagnosing your kitten.

We hope you can help us share this information with all the people who have pets, so that they learn more about ringworm in cats and can care for and protect those who are also part of their family.