Cat Health – Guide To Ringworm In Felines

Your cat can develop ringworm thanks to various fungal organisms. Cats less than one year old are usually affected more often since their immune systems haven’t fully developed yet. If your cat has long hair, it also has an increased risk. This disease is very infectious. It can easily be passed to dogs, other cats, and humans. Keep reading to learn more about ringworm in felines.

Forms

Various fungi can be responsible for your cat developing this disease. They include Microsporum Canis, Microsporum Gypsum, and Trichophyton. Most cats are affected by Microsporum Canis. You may be wondering what signs this disease causes.

Symptoms

The hair follicles become home to the invading fungi. As the shafts become weaker, your cat will start to lose hair. The resulting hair loss usually takes the form of a circle. This normally affects the limbs and head. Cats may also develop dry, flaky skin.

Diagnosis

Ringworm can easily be diagnosed different ways. A Wood’s lamp, a type of ultraviolet light, is the easiest way to diagnose ringworm. The lamp causes different species of fungus to glow fluorescent green. Another way to diagnose ringworm in cats is to remove a few strands of hair and ship them off to the lab. This method is very time-consuming though. The sample needs to sit for a while because fungus grows slowly.

Treatment

If left untreated, your cat will likely get rid of the condition itself 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. The condition can also be treated with anti-fungal medications. If your cat has long hair, you should clip it so the treatment regimen is more effective. If you have more than one cat, you should take preventative measures and treat them also.

Cats can be affected by many cat health problems. Fortunately for you, you can learn about a wide range of these conditions at cat-illnesses.com. So, stop by today to learn about a wide range of these conditions.

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