The Truth About Ringworm In Cats
Various fungal organisms can lead to cat ringworm. Young cats don’t have a developed immune system yet. This is the reason why they are usually affected. If your cat has long hair, he also has an increased risk. The condition is also very infectious as it can be transmitted to other cats, dogs, and even you. Here is everything you need to know about ringworm in cats.
Forms
As I mentioned earlier, cat ringworm is caused by various fungi. These organisms include Trichophyton, Microsporum Gypsum, and Microsporum Canis. The most common organism that affects cats is Microsporum Canis. You may be wondering what signs this disease causes.
Symptoms
The fungus that causes ringworm inhabits the hair follicles. Your cats hair will begin to fall out as the shafts get weaker. As the condition progresses, the hair loss will develop into circular patches usually on the head and limbs. The skin may also become dry and flaky. You would notice your cat scratching at it because it’s also itchy.
Diagnosis
The vet can diagnose this disease using various methods. The easiest way is to use an ultraviolet lamp. Many species of fungus will glow a fluorescent green when exposed to this lamp. Another way to diagnose ringworm in cats is to remove a few strands of hair and ship them off to the lab. The hair sample will need to sit for a few weeks to wait for fungus to grow.
Treatment
If left untreated, your cat will likely get rid of the condition himself in two to four months. However, as I mentioned, the disease is very contagious and can transmitted to you and other animals. So, it’s best to get it treated quickly.
Most cats can be treated for ringworm using a lime sulfur shampoo. Antifungal medications can also be used to treat this condition. So treatment is more effective, cats with long hair should have it clipped. If you have more than one cat, you should take preventative measures and treat them also.
Your precious kitty can be susceptible to diseases in felines. You can read up on many different potential health problems at cat-illnesses.com. So, stop by today to learn about a wide range of these conditions.
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