![]() ![]() Faster, less accurate ways exist, such as using a UV lamp to check for glowing strands of hair (this occurs about half of the time in ringworm infections) or by looking at skin scrapings under a microscope. The most reliable way a veterinarian uses to diagnose ringworm is by sending samples to a lab, but that can take a couple of weeks. Only a licensed veterinarian can definitively diagnose ringworm in your pet or feral cats. Elderly cats and cats with a weakened immune system are often more likely to get ringworm. Kittens are also more likely to have more severe types of ringworm infections as well. Kittens are most often infected as their immune systems aren’t fully developed. The most common symptom of ringworm in cats is no symptoms at all! But every cat is different and may or may not have one or many of the following signs of ringworm. This means if you pet a stray cat yesterday and have ringworm today, then that is not the most likely cause of your infection. The incubation period between exposure to ringworm and the development of symptoms is 7-21 days. But prolonged exposure increases the risk of infection in healthy adults. That is because most adults (both human and cat) are often resistant to infection. It is not uncommon to only have one or two cats or kittens infected, while the rest of the household or colony shows no symptoms at all. That said, ringworm might be contagious but it isn’t THAT contagious. The cause of ringworm in cats is contact with infected animals, objects, or environments. This simply means that a cat can spread ringworm but has no symptoms of an infection. Ringworm in cats can often be asymptomatic, which results in a carrier condition. Other types of ringworm, such as the species that live in soil, can also affect cats and people. In fact, 98% of ringworm cases in cats are caused by this one species, according to the Merck Veterinary Manual. In cats, the species that is most often the cause of ringworm is Microsporum canis, which can infect cats and sometimes dogs, horses, and people. Some species can infect a wide variety of animals and humans. Some species of dermatophytes are species-specific and only infect that species. Children (and kittens) as well as those with a depressed immune system are most often infected. Risk factors for contracting ringworm include using public showers, contact sports such as wrestling, excessive sweating, contact with animals, obesity, poor immune function, and poor hygiene. Causes of Ringworm in Catsįungi thrive in moist, warm environments and common sources of fungal skin infections include locker rooms, tanning beds, skin folds, swimming pools, exercise machines, and even your garden soil! That said, in cats, it’s just called ringworm no matter where it’s located. But let’s not get too technical.ĭepending upon where the infection is located, it could be called ringworm or it could be called athlete’s foot. This is why they infect the outer layer of the skin. These fungi obtain nutrients from the keratinized material of humans and animals, such as nails, hair, feathers, etc. FORTY DIFFERENT KINDS! The most common class of fungi that cause skin infections are called Dermatophytes. Tinea corporis is the medical term for ringworm of the body, the most common type of fungal infection known simply as ringworm.Ībout 40 different species of fungi can cause ringworm. Ringworm is called tinea or dermatophytosis in medical terms. If you want a full list of various names for these fungal infections, you can find them here. Your fingernails and toenails can contract this fungal infection too and it won’t be called ringworm. Ringworm in the groin is called jock itch. Ringworm of the feet is often called athlete’s foot. Not all infections will cause the circular rash, though.ĭepending upon where the rash is located, it often has different names. It is called ringworm because it can cause a circular red rash that is shaped like a ring. Ringworm is a fungal infection of the skin. Ringworm and Cats: Other Important Info.What’s the Best Flea Treatment for Cats?.Fresh Step with Gain Scent Scoopable Cat Litter Review.The Best Feral Cat Trap + Other Options!.9 Halloween Ideas for Cats & Cat Lovers.Lysine and Cats: Why It is Not Recommended.What is an Upper Respiratory Infection in Cats?.Worms and Cats: Types, Symptoms, & Treatments.The Best Bait for Feral Cats (Humane Only!).How to Keep Cats Out of Your Yard in 2020.How to Keep Outdoor Cats Warm in Winter.How to Save a Cat (and All His Friends!).How to Adopt a Barn Cat (Do’s & Don’ts). ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |