Cat ringworm is an unavoidable problem for cat owners

Some common questions about cat ringworm will make "cat ringworm" disappear completely! Some common questions about cat ringworm will make "cat ringworm" disappear completely! Disappear! Almost everyone who has raised a cat has had the experience of fighting cat ringworm. Cat ringworm is also an unavoidable problem for cat owners. Cat ringworm is caused by fungi. There are several different forms of fungi, and they can infect people or pets. Therefore, it is a common disease between humans and pets. In terms of public health, the prevention and treatment of cat ringworm is also of great importance. significance. Every owner should be aware of ringworm symptoms, how it is spread, and how to treat it.

What is cat ringworm?

Cat ringworm is a common skin disease caused by fungal infection. It is highly contagious and can affect cats regardless of age. Ringworm occurs when fungi grow and multiply within the epidermis. Molds tend to grow in warm and humid environments, so tinea corporis mostly occurs in hot and humid environments in summer. Initially, a group of small red papules and small water scars appear on the skin, which gradually develops and expands into an annular shape, surrounded by pinhead-sized papules, water scars and scales, and further develops to form multiple rings or topographic patterns.

Several fungi found throughout the world can cause ringworm, but the three most common causes of ringworm in cats are M. canis, M. gypseum, or T. mentagrophytes. Of these three, M. canis is considered the most common causative agent. Ringworm is most prevalent in hot and humid climates, but interestingly most cases occur in the fall and winter. The fungus can be found in infected animals and their homes, and fungal spores are spread by infected animals into the environment and can survive for more than 18 months. Cats that do not show any signs of infection may be carriers and spreaders of the fungus, and routine fungal cultures can be used to confirm whether an animal suspected of being a chronic carrier is actually carrying the fungus.

How do cats get ringworm?

Riophytes are transmitted from sick cats to healthy cats through direct contact. Fungal spores can be on an infected animal, or on its grooming equipment, litter, or other animals. Find it in the places you have been. Fortunately, most adult cats are resistant to ringworm and will not become sick from the infection. Cats under one year old are easily infected. Cats with low immunity or excessive use of steroids can make cats susceptible to tinea felis.

What are the symptoms?

Cat ringworm can cause infection on the cat’s skin. The degree of infection is related to the location and duration of the disease. The most common symptom is a small, circular area of ​​hair loss with scaly skin in the center and often pustules. This infected patch of skin may start out as a small spot and then expand, and it may cause discomfort and itchiness due to irritation. Cat ringworm often occurs on the head, ears and tail. In some cases, cat ringworm is more than just aRound in shape, it may spread over the entire face and nose, and may look like an autoimmune disease or other common skin disease. The disease occasionally spreads throughout the body, causing large areas of scaly or greasy skin. Rarely, chronic ear infections are caused by ringworm.

How to diagnose?

Riophytes can be diagnosed in a few different ways. One of the more popular, but not entirely accurate, methods is to use a specialized black light test called a forest light. Several species of ringworm fluoresce when illuminated by forest lights; however, it is estimated that up to half of M. canis do not fluoresce under forest lights; and a healthy animal may have spores on its fur without being infected. . Another method is to collect some hairs from around the affected skin and examine them under a microscope. About 40 to 70 percent of ringworm infections can be diagnosed this way. The best and most accurate method is to collect flakes and scabs from the skin for fungal culture. There is a specially designed fungal culture method used to confirm the diagnosis of fungal infection. This routine culture can be easily performed by a veterinarian in your area.

How to treat?

The most commonly used method for mild cat ringworm is to spend more time in the sun and strengthen nutrition, which can often heal on its own. Moisture is a favorite of fungi, so keep the environment dry. Always blow dry your hair thoroughly after bathing. Pay special attention to the soles of the feet and behind the ears, which are usually the hardest hit areas for cat ringworm. If water is spilled at home, clean it up immediately. You can also apply Pitfen locally and it will be cured in 2 weeks.

For moderate cat ringworm, the hair on the affected area needs to be shaved, and the medicine and bath must be adhered to. The Elizabethan ring must be worn when applying medicine. There are many things that can be used for bathing. Common drugs include traditional Chinese medicine (Jieeryin lotion and the like), Western medicine (compound ketoconazole), disinfectants (povidone-iodine), and medicated baths once every 2 days. , wash continuously for 1-2 weeks. I use Mala Wash or Kedun, both of which have good results. Using too much lotion will be bad for the cat's skin, so I personally use Jieyin lotion and the kind of lotion that can create foam in rotation. Soak for about 10 minutes each time. It is best to change the variety after using Western medicine for 2 weeks, after all, resistance may develop.

Large-area mixed infection: repeated treatment cannot cure the disease, and the body has become bald and unable to grow new hair. Medicinal bath + applying medicine + consider taking oral medicine or injecting medicine to solve the problem. But try not to use oral medications or injections. Improper use can cause damage to the cat's kidneys or liver, so the pros and cons must be weighed. Mixed types of cat ringworm are more likely to have recurring symptoms. Most likely combined with mite infection. For mite infection, you can use Dapai. (Doctors in some hospitals will also ask cat owners to use Dapai for fungal cat ringworm. I don’t know if it is to directly prevent mite infection, or because Dapai also has a certain effect in treating cat ringworm as advertised). To treat mites, you can also ask your doctor to inject ivermectin and abamectinAnti-mite preparations such as antibiotics. Or taking some medicinal baths can also inhibit the growth of mites.

Three requirements must be met to cure cat ringworm:

1. Ringworm-free environment. When a cat has ringworm, the place where it lives will also have ringworm, so it needs to be disinfected and cleaned. The place where the cat lives and sleeps It needs sunlight for 4-8 hours, and the environment needs to be ventilated and dry. Turning on the air conditioner to dehumidify is a good way. Why does the environment need to be dry and ringworm-free? The main reason is that even if you cure cat ringworm, if the cat is in an environment with ringworm, it will get it again. Ringworm, which is why cats don’t treat ringworm well.

2. The cat itself must be free of ringworm. If a cat has ringworm, it needs to be cleaned off. You can take a medicinal bath, or use a toothbrush to brush off the ringworm during cleaning. The most effective way to treat ringworm is actually very simple. Wash the cat. When you have ringworm, wash the cat every 3-7 days. Use a toothbrush to brush the ringworm area until the skin becomes red until the ringworm falls off. Make sure you blow the cat very dry. It is best to dry the cat in the sun. No water should remain on the cat. On the body, ringworm needs to live in a place with water. As long as the cat's body is free of moisture, the recurrence of ringworm can be prevented.

3. The cat’s physique changes. Cats with good health rarely get ringworm, while cats with poor health are often prone to ringworm. Therefore, it is necessary to strengthen the cat’s physique, strengthen physical exercise, and improve disease resistance. Fungi, like other bacteria and viruses, will become infected when the cat's resistance is reduced. If the cat is healthy and the skin's defense function is good, even if there is a fungal infection, it will not get sick. , usually includes supplementing various vitamins, and treating any diseases. During the treatment, it needs to be separated from other cats to avoid passing on ringworm to other cats.

How to prevent and treat ringworm in cats?

1. Mineral bath:

It is to take a bath in mineral water. Mineral springs contain a large amount of chemical substances and have a high temperature, which can prevent and treat diseases through the mechanical stimulation, temperature stimulation and chemical composition of the water. Mineral spring resources are extremely rich and can be found in various places. Their full utilization will play a big role in the prevention of ringworm.

2. Medicinal bath:

It is to add some medicines to the water or boil the water with medicines and then take a bath.

1. Bathing in decoction of leaves, Senecio japonica, Viola purpurea, Sophora flavescens, etc. can prevent ringworm.

2. Add sulfur bath agent to water for bathing, once a week.