Feline Ringworm
Feline ringworm is one of the most common skin disease in cats. It is a fungal infection, which can occur on any part of the body, especially on the head and limbs. It is caused by small, microscopic organisms known as dermatophytes. The word dermatophytes means plants that live on the skin. This organism affects the keratin of epidermis and hair follicle and feeds on the dead skin and hair. Normally a ring like patch is formed on the affected area with itching sensation. The name ringworm just refers to the way it looks on the skin. Most often it is seen in cats whose age is less than a year. This is probably because of weak immune systems.
Contents at a Glance
Types of dermatophytes
There are different types of dermatophytes or the fungi which cause ringworm. The three most common are
1) Microsporum canis
This is the most common among cats and accounts for about 75 - 98% of ringworms in cats. One important point to note is that, this fungi is highly adapted to the cats. Almost 20% show no sign of these fungi eventhough they contain the organism.
2) Microsporum gypseum
The microsporum gypseum can be found in cats and dogs which get contact with contaminated soil.
3) Trichophyton mentagrophytes
When the cats are exposed to the burrows of rodents, this fungi will infect them.
1) Microsporum canis
This is the most common among cats and accounts for about 75 - 98% of ringworms in cats. One important point to note is that, this fungi is highly adapted to the cats. Almost 20% show no sign of these fungi eventhough they contain the organism.
2) Microsporum gypseum
The microsporum gypseum can be found in cats and dogs which get contact with contaminated soil.
3) Trichophyton mentagrophytes
When the cats are exposed to the burrows of rodents, this fungi will infect them.
Feline Ringworm Diagnosis
There are different methods by which feline ringworm is diagnosed. Here are some of the methods that are commonly used.
1)Culture
The vet will take some sample of the cat's hair from the diseased region and performs a culture due to which the fungi will grow. This method will help to find the correct species of fungi responsible for the infection. This method takes some time.
2)Microscopic examination
If you want a quick diagnosis, the microscopic examination is what you need. The vet who performs this will examine the hair for microscopic fungal spores. This is somewhat difficult and requires an experienced mycologist (ie., a person who specializes in fungi ) to be able to see the spores. This method will be inaccurate if the sample taken has no spores.
3)Wood's lamp method
This is a very simple method to diagnose ringworm. In this method an ultraviolet wood's lamp is projected on the cat. The affected hair shafts will have a fluorescent green glow when exposed to this lamp.
4)Biopsy
This is a process of removing a small piece of the living tissues to examine it under microscope.
1)Culture
The vet will take some sample of the cat's hair from the diseased region and performs a culture due to which the fungi will grow. This method will help to find the correct species of fungi responsible for the infection. This method takes some time.
2)Microscopic examination
If you want a quick diagnosis, the microscopic examination is what you need. The vet who performs this will examine the hair for microscopic fungal spores. This is somewhat difficult and requires an experienced mycologist (ie., a person who specializes in fungi ) to be able to see the spores. This method will be inaccurate if the sample taken has no spores.
3)Wood's lamp method
This is a very simple method to diagnose ringworm. In this method an ultraviolet wood's lamp is projected on the cat. The affected hair shafts will have a fluorescent green glow when exposed to this lamp.
4)Biopsy
This is a process of removing a small piece of the living tissues to examine it under microscope.
Feline Ringworm Treatment
Feline Ringworm Feedback
Did your cat ever get infected by a ringworm. Share your experiences and tell us how you got rid of it.
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DavidDove
Jan 24, 2012 @ 4:49 am | delete
- useful lens, thank you
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Shelley
Sep 23, 2008 @ 10:50 pm | delete
- A kitten I found in the lot next to our house was losing hair and skin was bumpy. I took her to our vet about 5 days later, and he diagnosed her with ringworm, she also had given it to my two labs. He gave me an anti-fungal liquid for the dogs, and put her on a
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by Faiz
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