No cat owner is pleased to hear that their precious pet has been infected by ringworm. While if untreated the condition can become serious, ringworm in cats is something fairly common and not life-threatening in and of itself. It is, in fact, the most common fungal skin condition found in cats.
Ringworm is not something limited only to cats; it is also found in humans and dogs. It is not really a 'worm,' but actually is a parasitic fungal organism that thrives on dead skin - though it can also be found in hair and claws. There are three types of fungus that cause ringworm in cats - Microsporum gypseum or M. gypseum, which is contracted from contaminated soil, Microsporum canis, also indicated as M. Canis, which is almost exclusively found on cats and accounts for almost all cases of ringworm in cats, and Trichophyton mentagrophytes, which is contracted through contact with rodents or their burrows.
Ringworm in cats, as well as with dogs and humans, is highly contagious and can even be passed among species by contact with either the infected animal, or somewhere where spores are present - which can be anywhere shed hairs of the cat are found. Prevention can therefore be difficult, but can be done by limiting your cat's exposure to rodents, the outdoors, and other cats or dogs that might be infected. There is a vaccine for ringworm in cats manufactured by Fort Dodge, but it only is effective against the M. canis strain.
Ringworm is not something limited only to cats; it is also found in humans and dogs. It is not really a 'worm,' but actually is a parasitic fungal organism that thrives on dead skin - though it can also be found in hair and claws. There are three types of fungus that cause ringworm in cats - Microsporum gypseum or M. gypseum, which is contracted from contaminated soil, Microsporum canis, also indicated as M. Canis, which is almost exclusively found on cats and accounts for almost all cases of ringworm in cats, and Trichophyton mentagrophytes, which is contracted through contact with rodents or their burrows.
Ringworm in cats, as well as with dogs and humans, is highly contagious and can even be passed among species by contact with either the infected animal, or somewhere where spores are present - which can be anywhere shed hairs of the cat are found. Prevention can therefore be difficult, but can be done by limiting your cat's exposure to rodents, the outdoors, and other cats or dogs that might be infected. There is a vaccine for ringworm in cats manufactured by Fort Dodge, but it only is effective against the M. canis strain.
- Ringworm in cats is something fairly common and not life-threatening in and of itself.
- Ringworm in cats, as well as with dogs and humans, is highly contagious.
- If your cat is in fact afflicted with ringworm, there are a number of different treatments available
Comments
I didn't know cats could get ringworm but thanks for educating me!
Comment 1 (of 1)
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