Ringworm in Cats Can Be A Serious Health Issue

When it comes to Ringworm in Cats many pet owners immediately freak out.  But this common fungal skin infection can easily be treated.  Many people believe that Ringworm in Cats is actually a worm imbedded in the skin of the animal but this simply isn’t the case.  In fact, this is caused by a fungus that comes into contact with the skin which resembles a worm thus giving it its name.  Let’s take a deeper look at this fungal infection and learn how to properly treat it.

So What Causes This Fungal Infection To Occur?

These are very hardy fungus that can live a very long time.  While you’re pet may get this fungus from another animal by touching their skin, it is more likely to encounter the fungus from items such as bedding or while sharing the same litter box.  It’s very hard to get rid of, so if one of your animals has been diagnosed with having this infection make sure to keep it separate from other pets.  Also, wash and scrub clean anything they have come into contact with.  This will help ensure that the infection will not spread to your other pets.

What Are the Symptoms and What Should I look out for?

Skin lesions are the most common sign that your pet has this condition.  This fungus will cause the skin to be bald in patches and become red looking towards the center of the patch.  Flaky and often dry skin surrounds the core of the infection and can become quite sore.  While this fungus normally occurs in just a few areas of the body, if left untreated it can become wide spread covering the entire animal.

How Is This Fungus Treated and Can I Get This Infection Too?

To treat this fungus, a Vet will often give you a special shampoo that will help kill the infection.  While this is only for mild cases it can be quite affective.  Oral medication may also be prescribed and will help rid the animal of the infection more rapidly but it will still take time.  This treatment can sometimes take months to fully work because this fungus is so hardy in nature. When it comes to humans, this fungus can also affect your skin so take precautions when handling both your pet and its surroundings.  A thorough cleaning of the entire home is necessary and you want to pay attention to any areas of the house your cat likes to frequent.  But with proper treatment and disinfecting your home, you and your pet will be back to normal soon.

Image via Matilda&Charlie&Josie at Flickr.com