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?

Ringworm is transmitted from sick cats to healthy cats through direct contact. Fungal spores can be found on an infected animal, or in its grooming equipment, litter, places where it has been, etc. . 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 not just a circle, it may spread to the entire face and nose, looking like an autoimmune disease or other commonskin diseases. 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?

Ringworm can be diagnosed in several different ways. One of the more popular, but not entirely accurate, methods is to use a specialized black light called a forest light. When illuminated by a forest light, there are several Ringworms fluoresce; however, it is estimated that up to half of M. canis species do not fluoresce under forest lights; and a healthy animal may have spores in 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.

Moderate cat ringworm needs to shave the hair of the affected area, apply medicine and take medicated baths consistently, and an 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), 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-scale mixed infection: repeated treatment cannot cure the problem, 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, Dapai can be administered (doctors in some hospitals will also require cat owners to inject Dapai for fungal cat ringworm. I don’t know whether it is to directly prevent mite infection, or Dapai also has a certain effect in treating cat ringworm as advertised). To treat mites, you can also ask your doctor to inject anti-mite preparations such as ivermectin and abamectin. Or taking some medicated baths can also inhibit the growth of mites.long effect.

To cure cat ringworm, three requirements must be met:

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 needs to be exposed to the sun for 4-8 hours. The environment needs to be ventilated and dry. Turning on the air conditioner to dehumidify is a good idea. Good idea. Why does the environment need to be dry and free of ringworm? The main reason is that even if you cure cat ringworm, if the cat is in an environment with ringworm, it will get ringworm again. This is why cats cannot be cured of ringworm.

2. The cat itself must be free of ringworm. If a cat has ringworm, it needs to be cleaned off. You can take a medicated bath, or use a toothbrush to brush off the ringworm when cleaning. How to treat ringworm most effectively? In fact, it is very simple to wash the cat frequently. When there is 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. The hair must be blown very dry. It is best to expose the cat to the sun. No water should remain on the cat. Ringworm needs If the cat lives in a place with water, the recurrence of ringworm can be prevented by removing moisture from the cat's body.

3. The cat’s physique changes. Cats with healthy bodies rarely get ringworm. 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:

Just take a bath in the 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 medicine to the water or boil the water with medicine and then take a bath.

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

2. Sulfur bath agent, add to water for bathing, once a week.