Ringworm in Cats

Ringworm in Cats - Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment, Recovery, Management, Cost

What is Ringworm?

Ringworm is the common name for dermatophytosis, which is a highly contagious fungal infection that affects the skin, usually in close proximity to hair and nails. In many cases, dermatophytosis presents as a red ring-shaped infection on the outer layers of the skin. Ringworm is not life-threatening, but it can be uncomfortable and may be spread to other pets and humans. While cats of all ages can contract a ringworm infection, kittens are the most susceptible.

Youtube Play

Ringworm Average Cost

From 348 quotes ranging from $200 - $500

Average Cost

$250

Wag Compare logo

Get a free pet insurance quote in less than 60 seconds!

Easily compare quotes from the most trusted pet insurance companies in the United States.

Get a quote

background

Symptoms of Ringworm in Cats

In some cases, ringworm symptoms are easily observed. However, in less obvious cases, ringworm can be more difficult to diagnose in cats, especially long-haired cats. The following symptoms will often cause a veterinarian to suspect ringworm. 

  • Scaling of skin and coat
  • Erythema, an inflamed redness of the skin
  • Round thickened patches of skin
  • Patchy hair loss, often accompanied by “crusty” skin
  • Onychomycosis, an infection of the cat’s claws that causes them to become scaly and rough

It should also be noted that after coming in contact with ringworm fungi, some cats become carriers but never exhibit any outward symptoms. These cats will likely infect other animals and humans if they are not treated.

Causes of Ringworm in Cats

Ringworm is caused by a fungal infection that settles into the outer layers of the skin, usually near hair and nails. The vast majority of ringworm cases are caused by the spores of the Microsporum canis fungus, but on rare occasions, ringworm has been found to be caused by the spores of three other fungi: Microsporum persicolorTrichophyton mentagrophytes, and Microsporum gypseum Regardless of the particular fungus that has caused the infection, the overall causes are the same.

  • These fungi are highly contagious, spreading either by direct contact between animals, between animals and humans, or through contact with a contaminated object or surface. 
  • Cracked skin is exceptionally vulnerable to ringworm infections, as the spores can settle within the cracks.  
  • Once the skin comes in contact with the fungus, there is typically a seven to fourteen day incubation period before the infection becomes visible on the skin’s surface.

Diagnosis of Ringworm in Cats

Your veterinarian will begin by conducting a thorough physical examination of your cat, looking for bald spots and inflamed or crusted skin. Your vet may also darken the room and shine a Wood’s lamp, commonly called a black light, over your cat’s skin and fur. In many cases, if the ringworm is the result of the Microsporum canis fungus, the infection will glow under the black light. Not all cases of ringworm, however, will appear under the black light. If the vet finds visual evidence of a ringworm infection, the vet may take cultures of the skin and fur in those areas to be tested for fungal spores. Although some veterinarians may feel confident in diagnosing ringworm based on visual evidence alone, especially in kittens, a culture that tests positive for fungal spores is the only definitive way to diagnose dermatophytosis. If the cat is known to have been in contact with infected animals or humans but does not exhibit any physical evidence of dermatophytosis, the vet may use a brush or comb to gather hair and skin to be tested for fungal spores.

Treatment of Ringworm in Cats

In most cases, if left untreated, ringworm will eventually resolve itself in 90-150 days. However, ringworm should not be left untreated, the infection can be spread to other animals and humans during that period. After a diagnosis of ringworm, it is likely that your veterinarian will prescribe a three-pronged approach to treatment, which will likely last for several weeks to several months. It is imperative to follow your vet’s instructions for how often and for how long you should treat your cat’s ringworm, as early cessation of treatment will usually result in a recurrence of symptoms. Your vet will likely schedule your cat for follow-up visits so that additional cultures can be collected to measure the progress of treatment toward eliminating the infectious fungi. The three approaches to treatment are:

Topical Treatments 

  • Clotrimazole ointment
  • Miconazole lotion
  • Shampoo containing Ketoconazole 1.0% and Chlorhexidine Gluconate 2.0%
  • Shampoo containing Miconazole Nitrate 2%, Chlorhexidine Gluconate 2%

Oral Medications

  • Griseofulvin
  • Itraconazole
  • Terbinafine

Cleaning and Sterilizing the Cat’s Environment

This is extremely important because Microsporum canis fungi have been found to remain infectious for up to 18 months.

  • Careful disposal of loose fur
  • Frequent mopping and vacuuming 
  • Sterilizing contaminated objects and surfaces with a 1:10 ratio of bleach and water. 
Petted logo

Worried about the cost of treating your pet's symptoms?

Pet Insurance covers the cost of many common pet health conditions. Prepare for the unexpected by getting a quote from top pet insurance providers.

Get a quote

background

Recovery of Ringworm in Cats

Treated cats will usually begin to improve within two to four weeks, although for full recovery to take place the treatments must be administered for as long a period as your veterinarian has instructed. After the treatments begin to work, the skin will usually clear up and the hair will often begin to regrow. In environments such as animal shelters, especially kitten rescues, it can be very difficult to completely rid the environment and feline population of fungal spores. In these environments, and with cats that have shown a susceptibility to repeated infection, pet owners and shelter workers will need to be intentional about keeping the environment sterile, washing their hands and clothes often, and routinely checking the cat(s) for signs of ringworm infection. Most treated cats that live in a typical home environment will make a full recovery.

Ringworm Average Cost

From 348 quotes ranging from $200 - $500

Average Cost

$250

arrow-up-icon

Top

Ringworm Questions and Advice from Veterinary Professionals

dog-breed-icon

DOMESTIC

dog-name-icon

Quinn

dog-age-icon

4 Months

thumbs-up-icon

6 found this helpful

thumbs-up-icon

6 found this helpful

My pet has the following symptoms:
Loss Of Hair
My foster cat has ringworm. She just got one negative test back. After she gets two negative in a row they said she will be cured. To I have to worry about her being a “carrier’ of ringworm and getting it back again and again and infecting me and my family? I unfortunately now have it

Sept. 2, 2018

Was this question and answer helpful?
dog-breed-icon

Cat

dog-name-icon

Trousers

dog-age-icon

2 Months

thumbs-up-icon

3 found this helpful

thumbs-up-icon

3 found this helpful

My pet has the following symptoms:
Glowing Green, Round Scab On Ear
My other in law fosters kittens and after some discussion we decided to potentially adopt one of her 8 week old charges. When she arrived for a weekend visit (we're a bit of drive away) as soon as we took the kitten out she pointed to a spot on his ear and said "uh-oh... that looks like ring worm". We took him to our vet the very next morning, keeping him quarantined in a large crate overnight, and he glowed green in several spots. She hadn't noticed it before, and had sent photos just a week earlier with no signs of the same spot, so it was very new (I know it can incubate for 1-2 weeks..). We sent the kitten back with her so that he and the litter can be treated in a sterile environment with oral and topical meds by the shelter she fosters for (they're in an isolation room together). My question is surrounding whether we continue with the adoption... my main concern being that my daughter has type 1 diabetes and while healthy does have a compromised immune system as a result. How likely is it that this kitten will be fully treated and not retract the ringworm a few weeks after we get him back (minimum 4 weeks is what we're being told)? I'm concerned :( He's the sweetest thing, but I can't seem to decide what the best call is for the family. While it's treatable, we have children and a dog that I'd rather not pass this along to if it's something that can easily return despite treatment. Any guidance would be so helpful, I'm struggling with this decision and want to make the best call for all of us.

Aug. 29, 2018

Was this question and answer helpful?

Ringworm Average Cost

From 348 quotes ranging from $200 - $500

Average Cost

$250

Wag Compare logo

Get a free pet insurance quote in less than 60 seconds!

Easily compare quotes from the most trusted pet insurance companies in the United States.

Get a quote

background
Need pet insurance?
Need pet insurance?

Learn more in the Wag! app

Five starsFive starsFive starsFive starsFive stars

43k+ reviews

Install


© 2024 Wag Labs, Inc. All rights reserved.