By: Marcus Peterson
Ringworm is a common skin disease in cats and dogs. Unlike its name, it is not caused by any worm (though it used to be thought so) but by fungi called Dermatophytes that thrive on dead tissues present in skin surface and follow circular a path to spread them.
In cats, specific fungi called Microsporum Canis (M Canis) results in 90 percent of the ringworm cases. Cats usually pick up the disease from contaminated objects such as clippers or bedding or by coming in direct contact with other animals infected with this disease. Young cats under a year old are more susceptible to ringworm, so, it’s wise to take extra precautions if you have a kitten in your house.
Some of the common ringworm symptoms among cats are rough and broken hairs, hair loss especially on head, or paws. You can also identify ringworm disease by a scaly patch of skin that looks inflamed and itchy with broken hairs around it.
If your cat reveals any of these symptoms, consult with your veterinarian. If diagnosed, he may advise tablets or ointments depending on the intensity of the diseases. The tablets can be fed to the cat with meals, and the ointment can be spread topically into the cat's fur. These treatments and cures must be continued daily. In most cases, it takes around six weeks to recover.
It’s a good idea to take precautions due to ringworm’s infectious nature. Keep kids away from the pet; and adults should use gloves when handling the cat. Although ringworm is a mild disorder, it causes problems due to its infectious nature and slow recovery time.
