Cat has ringworm

Cat ringworm is a self-limiting infectious skin disease that generally spreads all over the body when discovered. Therefore, when discovering that your cat is infected with ringworm, you must take it to a pet hospital for further examination and treatment. Ringworm is mainly caused by the fungal infection of Trichophyton mentagrophytes, and the clinical symptoms mainly include skin crusting, increased scaling, hair loss, and itching.

Also known as tinea corporis, ringworm is mainly caused by Trichophyton mentagrophytes. It can also be caused by Trichosporon beigelii and Microsporum audouinii. The main route of cats infected with Trichophyton mentagrophytes is through direct contact with infected animals or indirect contact with contaminated items such as animal skin debris. The clinical manifestations of feline tinea are diverse, but the typical coin-shaped hair loss macules are rare. Meanwhile, if the cat has a systemic infection, it may be confused with local infection because it is not easy to detect, especially in cats with long hair.

Ringworm can cause cats to experience symptoms such as hair loss, itching, increased scaling, and skin crusting. The main cause of extensive hair loss is considered to be excessive licking of hair by the cat. Additionally, adult cats infected with Trichophyton mentagrophytes may exhibit subclinical skin infection symptoms, which manifest as no obvious lesions or only very mild hair loss and slight patches. These cats usually require specific tests for diagnosis but have a strong infectivity. Trichosporon beigelii mainly causes dry, cracked, and deformed nails in cats. Treatment for ringworm includes topical and systemic medications.

Topical treatment mainly involves the use of external sprays containing ingredients such as terbinafine. Before applying the medication, excess hair and crusts must be cleaned off. Systemic treatment involves the use of oral drugs containing ingredients such as itraconazole, and antifungal drugs should be used under the guidance of a pet doctor.