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Cats Symptoms Cure |
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Symptoms Cats
> Human Health Hazard
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A human health hazard
Certain kinds of ringworm can be transmitted from cats to humans.
Adult humans are relatively resistant to ringworm, however, and are unlikely
to become infected if normal hygiene habits are followed. Children should
avoid handling animals infected with ringworm because they are more
likely to become infected and tend to be less hygiene conscious. Infected
cats should also be isolated from other uninfected pets to avoid spead of
infection. Veterinarians can diagnose certain cases of ringworm with the
use of an ultraviolet light alone (the most common type of ringworm,
Microsporum canis, may fluoresce green). In other cases microscopic
examination of skin scrapings and/or a fungal culture may be necessary.
An inexperienced person may confuse ringworm with other skin conditions
such as allergies or mite infestation, and when cats show any signs of skin
disease ringworm must be considered. If you are in doubt, see your
veterinarian.
Many uncomplicated cases of ringworm heal spontaneously in one to
three months, so isolated infected areas may be cleared with simple home
care. The affected area should be clipped free of hair and washed daily in
a miconazole, povidone-iodine (e.g., Betadine) or chlorhexidine shampoo,
followed by application of an antifungal cream or drops. Products
containing 2% miconazole nitrate or 1% clotrimazole, which inhibit the
growth of ringworm, can be purchased in a drugstore without a
prescription. They have been shown to be more effective than over-thecounter
products containing tolnaftate. A 0.05% solution of liquid chlorine
bleach applied once a day can be effective on localized lesions if more
sophisticated products are unavailable. Ringworm cases that do not
respond to this simple regime, that have secondary bacterial infections, or
that involve the toenails or several body areas need to have more
extensive topical treatment as well as a prolonged treatment with systemic
antifungal drugs. Topical treatments include dips of 2.5% lime sulfur,
captan (1:200 dilution of 45% technical captan), 0.2% enilconazole, or
0.05% chlorhexidine. Griseofulvin is a common systemic drug used for
treatment of more serious ringworm cases; it is incorporated into new hair
growth to prevent recurrence of the fungus. Other antifungal drugs (e.g.,
ketoconazole) are also available on prescription by a veterinarian once an
appropriate diagnosis is made.
Vaccines against ringworm can help eliminate signs of infection, but are
no substitute for thorough treatment of infected cats.
Premises must be cleaned to prevent repeat infections
If your cat is diagnosed as having ringworm, clean your house
thoroughly and change any air filters in your heating-ventilation system.
Carpets should be steam cleaned at temperatures greater than 110°F
(43°C). Wash and disinfect or discard your cat’s bedding, toys, scratching
post, collar, harness and/or leash, and grooming equipment. Products
containing iodophors, chlorhexidine, or 0.5% chlorine bleach (5.25%
solution of liquid chlorine bleach, mixed one part to ten parts water) are
effective disinfectants that can be mopped or sprayed onto surfaces or
used to soak certain washable materials. Cleaning should be repeated
weekly until the cat is fully cured. The ringworm fungus forms spores
(something like bread mold does), and thorough cleaning helps remove
them and thus prevents reinfection. Untreated ringworm spores may
survive in dry environments as long as four years!
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