Ring worm in cats

Ring worm in cats

What Is Ringworm in Cats?

Ringworms or ringworm are the common names for dermatophytosis, a fungal infection that can affect a cat’s skin, hair, and nails.

The fungus, which feeds on dead cells, is not actually a worm. The name "ringworm" originated from the target-shaped lesion surrounded by a scaly ring seen in humans. It’s spread by direct skin-to-skin contact between people or between infected animals and people. 

For ringworm in cats, this fungal infection is typically presented through hair loss and scaly lesions.

 

Symptoms of Ringworm in Cats

Symptoms of ringworm in cats include:

   Thickened patches of skin

   Circular areas of hair loss (may be patchy)

   Broken and stubby hair

   Scaly or crusty skin

   Changes in fur or skin color

   Inflamed areas of skin

   Excessive grooming and scratching

   Red or gray, scaly lesions (typically on the skin of a cat’s head, chest, front legs, and spine)

   Dull fur

   Dandruff

   Rough, scaly, hardening of the base of the nails

   Distortion of the nails

   Nail infections (rare)

In some more severe cases of ringworm in cats, the skin lesions are raised and nodular. These are called granulomas and may frequently produce discharge. 

Many cats, especially longhaired breeds, may have ringworm without any symptoms at all. These cats are called asymptomatic carriers.

Asymptomatic cats may still infect other pets or humans. It’s important to note that even though these cats don’t look sick, they may be highly contagious. 

Causes of Ringworm in Cats

Ringworm in cats is spread through direct contact with the fungus. It may be passed by direct contact with an infected animal or person, the soil, or a contaminated surface. It’s rare—though possible—for ringworm to be spread through brushes, combs, and beds.

The fungal spore can survive and remain dormant on bedding, carpet, furniture, brushes, and/or other surfaces for up to 18 months.

Direct contact with a fungal spore causes infection, typically through open wounds (such as a scratch). However, immunosuppressed cats (cats with the decreased ability to develop a normal immune response) can get infected even without open skin.

Some predisposing factors for ringworm in cats include: 

  1. Age—Kittens and older cats with compromised immune systems are at a higher risk for infection. 
  2. Climate—Cats that live in warmer, more humid climates have a higher infection rate. 
  3. Care—Cats who live in a densely populated environment (such as an animal shelter) or receive poor nutrition are at a higher risk for infection due to the contagious and resistant nature of this fungus. 
  4. Health—Immune suppression can increase the risk of ringworm infection, especially in cats with feline leukemia virus (FeLV) or feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV).

    The period between exposure to the fungus and the development of symptoms is usually between seven to 14 days, though with some cases, three to four weeks may pass before symptoms appear.

    Treatment for Ringworm in Cats

    Treatment for ringworm in cats is usually a combination of medication applied to a cat’s skin and oral medication. Treatment lasts for a minimum of four to six weeks. In some cases, several months of therapy is required.

    Ringworm cultures are performed after the start of treatment to determine if the infection is still present.

    Treatment is typically continued until two consecutive negative ringworm cultures are obtained, usually two to four weeks apart. 

    Topical Therapy

    Topical treatment for ringworm in cats is directly applied to the skin. The treatment directly kills fungal spores, which is important in preventing environmental contamination and helpful in preventing contamination to other animals. Topical treatment will usually continue for several weeks or even months depending on your cat’s diagnosis. 

    Oral Therapy

    Oral therapy for ringworm in cats may be recommended for severe or difficult cases.

    This treatment stops reproduction and spread of the fungal infection. Once treated, only the original fungus remains and can be removed with other treatment options.

    Your veterinarian may prescribe one of the following: 

    Itraconazole 
    Terbinafine 
    Griseofulvin 

       Side effects are possible when using antifungals and should be considered prior to starting therapy. Individual cats may have different reactions, but if therapy is discontinued too soon, the infection may recur.

       

      Disinfecting The Environment

      Infected cat hairs containing microscopic fungus spores may have been shed around your home.

      Infection of other animals and humans, or reinfection of the affected cat, can occur from contact with the contaminated environment.

      Ways to disinfect the environment include:

      • Keeping all pets’ fur clipped short during treatment of the infection
      • Careful hygiene to remove all pet hair from the environment
      • Careful disinfection of areas frequented by the pets to attempt to kill the fungus in the environment

        Recovery and Management of Ringworm in Cats

        Commitment is the key to success in getting rid of ringworm in cats. Clean your home and test and isolate pets that have been in contact with the affected cat until they are found clear of infection. 

        Keep your infected cat away from other animals, objects, surfaces, and family members. Wear gloves when handling your cat and wash your hands thoroughly afterward. 

        Most cats who get appropriate treatment will recover from a ringworm infection, and you should see improvement within two to three weeks.

        Symptoms may reoccur if the treatment is discontinued early or is not aggressive enough, or if there is an underlying condition affecting your cat’s immune system.

        If an infection persists, your veterinarian may try alternative medications.

        Prevention of Ringworm in Cats

        Ringworm in cats can be prevented by:

        • Keeping your pets healthy and current on their routine preventative care
        • Avoiding crowding and stress
        • Having new pets examined by a veterinarian before bringing them into the house and exposing them other people and pets. 
        • Have any skin lesions checked promptly by a veterinarian to catch any issues as early as possible

          Ringworm in Cats FAQs

          What does ringworm look like on a cat?

          Ringworm can vary dramatically between animals, but most commonly shows up as a round hairless area with a red, rashy appearance in the center of the lesion. 

          These spots can be small (typically a few centimeters in size). They may be itchy, and often appear on the face or trunk.

          Can ringworm spread from cats to humans?

          Many forms of ringworm are contagious between cats and people. Any suspected spots should be checked by both your veterinarian and physician promptly.

          Will ringworm go away on its own?

          Generally, ringworm doesn’t go away on its own and requires proper diagnosis and treatment to resolve. 

          Often, any underlying conditions (such as viral infections or immune disorders) need to be diagnosed and treated before the ringworm will resolve.

          Back to blog