ALLEY CAT RESCUE
  • Home
    • About >
      • Mission
      • Our Team
      • Board of Directors
      • Financial Information
      • Email Sign-up
    • ACR in the Press
    • ACR Publications >
      • Newsletters
      • Blog
      • Press Releases
      • National Surveys
    • Adoptions >
      • Adoption Application
      • Cats available for adoption
      • New Cat Checklist
      • Introducing A New Cat
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Contact Us
    • Partners
  • Action Alerts
    • Spay Neuter Pledge
    • No Declaw Pledge
    • Campaigns >
      • TNR Support Letter
      • The Feral Fix
      • Working Cats Program >
        • Shelters with Working Cat Programs
      • End Deadly Eradication Methods
      • "Fix the Family"
  • Spay/Neuter
    • Early Age Spay/Neuter
    • Misconceptions About Spay/Neuter
    • State Low Cost Spay/Neuter
  • How to Help Community Cats
    • Find a Stray Cat?
    • What is a Feral Cat? >
      • Feral vs. Stray Cats
      • Benefits of Feral Cats
    • TNR-- What does this mean? >
      • TNR Statistics
      • TNR Step-by-Step
      • Targeted Trapping
      • TNR Tips
      • Hard to Catch Cats
      • TNR Equipment Loan Resources
      • Where to Buy TNR Equipment
      • TNR/Community Cat Care Financial Resources
      • Helping Shelters Implement TNR Programs
      • Common Complaints
    • Providing Shelter
    • CAT Action Teams: TNR Groups by State
    • Health Care
    • Cat Overpopulation
    • Relocation
    • Feral Kittens >
      • What to do if you find kittens
      • Stages of Kitten Development
      • Orphaned Kittens
      • Socializing Feral Kittens
      • Fostering Kittens
    • How Rescuers Can Effectively Adopt Out Cats >
      • Adopting Adult Feral Cats
    • Winter Tips for Protecting Cats
    • Summer Tips for Cats
    • Feral Cats and the Law
    • Cats and Wildlife >
      • Cats and Predation
      • Where have all the birds gone?
      • Debunking the Myths and Misinformation: Cat Predation
      • Why Eradication Methods Fail
    • Handbook Download
  • Cat Health & Supplies
    • Health Care for Your Cat >
      • Vaccines
      • Wellness Vet Checkups
      • Microchiping
      • Nail Trimmings
      • Effects of aging
      • Hospice Care and Euthanasia Decisions
      • Vet Care Financial Assistance
      • How to Prepare for an Emergency
    • FIP, FeLV, FIV >
      • Testing for FeLV/FIV
    • Common Cat Health Issues >
      • Feline Panleukopenia
      • Fleas
      • Zoonotic Diseases
      • Rabies
      • Toxoplasmosis
      • Ringworm - Symptoms and Treatment
      • Ringworm Myths Debunked
      • Obesity in Cats
      • Diabetes
      • Indoor/Outdoor Cats
    • Cats & Claws
    • Animal Cruelty Against Cats
    • Hazardous Poisons
    • Poisonous Plants
    • Cats and COVID-19
    • Cat Supplies
    • Pet Food Banks
    • Pet Disaster Preparedness
  • Cat Behavior
    • Solutions to Prevent Surrendering your cat >
      • Rehoming
    • Common Cat Behavior Issues >
      • Litter Box Problems
      • Scratching and Destructive Behavior
      • Aggressive Cats >
        • Cat on Cat Aggression
      • Meowing and Yowling
      • Urine Marking
      • Behavior Issues in Elderly Cats
    • Introducing Cats
    • Cat Enrichment
    • Tips for Entertaining an Indoor Cat
    • Cat Supply Resources
    • Lost Cat
  • African Wildcats
    • AWC Conservation Projects
    • Press Release on African Wildcat Campaign
    • Differences between AWCs and domestic cats
  • Donate
  • Store

Ringworm - Symptoms and Treatment

Picture
Picture
Picture
Problem: Ringworm is the most common fungal infection in cats. Ringworm in cats can spread to other pets and humans so early detection and treatment is crucial. The fungus has a two week incubation period between exposure and the presence of symptoms but the fungus is transmissible before symptoms even occur. Severe cases of ringworm are more common in kittens and adult cats with poor immune systems. Ringworm does not involve any worms infecting the cat, rather it is named ringworm because of the circular rashes that can appear on the skin.
​
​Symptoms:
  • Flaky, circular bald spots surrounded by red rings (usually around the head, ears, forelimbs, whiskers, toes and tail)
  • Broken and stubbly hair
  • Alterations in hair or skin color
  • Skin inflammation
  • Excessive grooming
  • Dandruff
  • Infection of claws
  • Dermatitis (ringworm can cause dermatitis in cats)
Diagnosis: Ringworm can be diagnosed by examining the cat’s skin and coat with a Wood’s lamp but this method may not always be effective. Examination of a skin culture in a laboratory is the preferred method of diagnosis.

Treatment: Treatments should be used for at least six weeks to ensure that the fungus is truly gone. Cat owners should use multiple treatment options to ensure the fungus is cured. Some treatments like oral medication and topical treatments will not fully treat the infection and should not be used alone. Treatment usually involves a topical anti-fungal medication, a systemic medication and a full body rinse or dip. Allowing your cat to “self-resolve” is not recommended as this process can take up to a year and the cat can lose a large amount of fur.
  • Itraconazole. This is the preferred medication for treatment of ringworm. It’s only known potential adverse reaction is anorexia.
  • Terbinatine. This is an oral pill given twice a day for 2 weeks. The pill can stay effective for 5 weeks after treatment has ended. Oral medication only kills the fungus internally.
  • Lime Sulphur dip. This is an effective, safe and inexpensive treatment that can be done at home. The dips should be given once a week until the cat’s skin culture comes back negative for ringworm and the dip should be used for all animals in the home. It is important to allow the dip to airdry on the cat’s fur.
  • Topical medication. Topical medication is less effective in cats than humans because the medication has difficulty seeping through the fur and there is a possibility of hidden lesions. The hairs around the lesions should be clipped away to make the topical medication more effective. Topical medication only treats the hair follicles and does not cure the fungus.
  • Medicated shampoo baths. Recommended for all cats living in the home.
  • Cleaning. Microscopic fungal spores can be shed from the infected cat into the environment and can stay in the environment for up to a year. Therefore, ringworm could come back after treatment if the spores are still in the atmosphere. The cat’s bedding and toys should be washed and areas where cat hair accumulates should be regularly vacuumed.
  • Decrease stress. Stress can lower the immune system and lead to further spread of the fungus.  

Tips for shelters:
  • Put infected cats in isolation to prevent further spread of ringworm. Provide this cat with enrichment so stress levels stay low.
  • Note which cats came into the shelter together. The ringworm infection likely could have affected multiple cage mates.
  • Use a lime Sulphur dip once you suspect a fungal infection. Use the lime Sulphur dip 2-4 times before allowing the cat to go to foster care.
  • Clean the healthiest cats first.
  • Wear separate clothing when handling cats with ringworm to prevent spread to non-infected cats.
  • Make sure foster homes with infected cats are following the same cleaning procedures.

Download PDF.
 
Referneces
Frymus, T. et al. (2013). Dermatophytosis in Cats. Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery, 15, 598-604.
Moriello, K. (July 12, 2012). How Animal Shelters Are Beating Ringworm (And Yours Can, Too!). Retrieved from http://www.maddiesfund.org/assets/documents/Resource%20Library/Ringworm%20Audience%20QA.pdf 
Ringworm: A Serious but Readily Treatable Affliction. (n.d). Retrieved from http://www.vet.cornell.edu/fhc/Health_Information/ringworm.cfm
Ringworm in Cats. (n.d). Retrieved from https://pets.webmd.com/cats/ringworm-in-cats#2
Ward, E. (December 2, 2008). Ringworm in Cats. Retrieved from https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/ringworm-in-cats
Proudly powered by Weebly
  • Home
    • About >
      • Mission
      • Our Team
      • Board of Directors
      • Financial Information
      • Email Sign-up
    • ACR in the Press
    • ACR Publications >
      • Newsletters
      • Blog
      • Press Releases
      • National Surveys
    • Adoptions >
      • Adoption Application
      • Cats available for adoption
      • New Cat Checklist
      • Introducing A New Cat
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Contact Us
    • Partners
  • Action Alerts
    • Spay Neuter Pledge
    • No Declaw Pledge
    • Campaigns >
      • TNR Support Letter
      • The Feral Fix
      • Working Cats Program >
        • Shelters with Working Cat Programs
      • End Deadly Eradication Methods
      • "Fix the Family"
  • Spay/Neuter
    • Early Age Spay/Neuter
    • Misconceptions About Spay/Neuter
    • State Low Cost Spay/Neuter
  • How to Help Community Cats
    • Find a Stray Cat?
    • What is a Feral Cat? >
      • Feral vs. Stray Cats
      • Benefits of Feral Cats
    • TNR-- What does this mean? >
      • TNR Statistics
      • TNR Step-by-Step
      • Targeted Trapping
      • TNR Tips
      • Hard to Catch Cats
      • TNR Equipment Loan Resources
      • Where to Buy TNR Equipment
      • TNR/Community Cat Care Financial Resources
      • Helping Shelters Implement TNR Programs
      • Common Complaints
    • Providing Shelter
    • CAT Action Teams: TNR Groups by State
    • Health Care
    • Cat Overpopulation
    • Relocation
    • Feral Kittens >
      • What to do if you find kittens
      • Stages of Kitten Development
      • Orphaned Kittens
      • Socializing Feral Kittens
      • Fostering Kittens
    • How Rescuers Can Effectively Adopt Out Cats >
      • Adopting Adult Feral Cats
    • Winter Tips for Protecting Cats
    • Summer Tips for Cats
    • Feral Cats and the Law
    • Cats and Wildlife >
      • Cats and Predation
      • Where have all the birds gone?
      • Debunking the Myths and Misinformation: Cat Predation
      • Why Eradication Methods Fail
    • Handbook Download
  • Cat Health & Supplies
    • Health Care for Your Cat >
      • Vaccines
      • Wellness Vet Checkups
      • Microchiping
      • Nail Trimmings
      • Effects of aging
      • Hospice Care and Euthanasia Decisions
      • Vet Care Financial Assistance
      • How to Prepare for an Emergency
    • FIP, FeLV, FIV >
      • Testing for FeLV/FIV
    • Common Cat Health Issues >
      • Feline Panleukopenia
      • Fleas
      • Zoonotic Diseases
      • Rabies
      • Toxoplasmosis
      • Ringworm - Symptoms and Treatment
      • Ringworm Myths Debunked
      • Obesity in Cats
      • Diabetes
      • Indoor/Outdoor Cats
    • Cats & Claws
    • Animal Cruelty Against Cats
    • Hazardous Poisons
    • Poisonous Plants
    • Cats and COVID-19
    • Cat Supplies
    • Pet Food Banks
    • Pet Disaster Preparedness
  • Cat Behavior
    • Solutions to Prevent Surrendering your cat >
      • Rehoming
    • Common Cat Behavior Issues >
      • Litter Box Problems
      • Scratching and Destructive Behavior
      • Aggressive Cats >
        • Cat on Cat Aggression
      • Meowing and Yowling
      • Urine Marking
      • Behavior Issues in Elderly Cats
    • Introducing Cats
    • Cat Enrichment
    • Tips for Entertaining an Indoor Cat
    • Cat Supply Resources
    • Lost Cat
  • African Wildcats
    • AWC Conservation Projects
    • Press Release on African Wildcat Campaign
    • Differences between AWCs and domestic cats
  • Donate
  • Store