Ringworm in cats: treatment and photos

2024 Author: Priscilla Miln | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 00:21

Lichen is a fungal or infectious skin lesion. This pathology can affect not only stray animals, but also domestic ones. Treatment of lichen in cats should only be carried out by a veterinarian, and it is important to follow all his recommendations. Depending on the etiology of the disease, lichen can be caused by various reasons. There is an allergic skin lesion, infectious or caused by malfunctions in the immune system. But most often, a cat is affected by ringworm, which is believed to be the culprit of bacteria.

Where can you get infected?

You should not assume that if the animal does not go outside, then it is completely protected from this problem. Lichen reproduces by microspores, which have great vitality. In warm and humid climates, they are able to function up to two years. Therefore, you can bring spores into the house on street shoes or clothes. It is noted that the disease is most common in warm regions and practically does not occur in the northern ones. The peak of infection occurs in the spring and summer.

Rodents are the source of microsporia spread. cat canpick up fungi from an infected animal or through objects surrounding it. Therefore, it is so important to regularly clean the pet's bedding, its bowl and close the entrance to the corridor with outdoor shoes.

Risk group

The most commonly infected are stray cats. But in the body of an adult animal, a stable immunity to various fungi is gradually formed. Therefore, cats with reduced immunity or not yet formed are especially at risk. So the risk group includes:

• kittens up to a year old;
• cats that have had an infectious disease;
• older animals;
• certain breeds that naturally lack specific immunity against microsporia, such as Persian cats.

Animals with reduced immunity are especially at risk of catching this disease. The reason for this condition may be:

• inadequate care;
• poor nutrition;
• worm infection;
• presence of infection in the body and treatment with potent drugs.

Therefore, stray animals are also at risk. Long-haired individuals require special attention. Thick wool creates ideal conditions for the development and vital activity of pathogenic fungi.

Who can get infected?

Microorganisms spread quite quickly around a sick animal. But this process can only be seen under a microscope. Spores move freely through the air and settle on all household items. Therefore, the cat is not at allbe sure to come into contact with infected animals, and you can catch the fungus by simply rubbing against street shoes.

Treatment of lichen in cats is complicated by the fact that the first symptoms do not appear immediately. The incubation period can last up to three months. At this time, the cat does not show any signs of anxiety, but the spores are already embedded in the skin. In addition, the intensity of the signs directly depends on the general he alth of the cat and the area affected.

Treatment of lichen in cats should be entrusted to a veterinarian. It must be borne in mind that the cutting form is transmitted to humans. Most susceptible to infection;

• preschool children;
• older people with poor he alth;
• people with reduced immunity.

It is necessary to understand that he althy cats and people may not get sick, their body does not allow pathogenic fungi to multiply. But they can be on the skin and, under adverse conditions, strike.

Clinical picture

A fairly common problem is lichen in cats. Signs and treatment depend on the extent of the lesion and the he alth of the cat. At the same time, the complexity is added by a rather long incubation period. It may take about 5 days, but may last two months. Therefore, the treatment of lichen in cats often begins late. However, a caring owner should be alerted by the following signs:

• change in skin pigmentation;
• flaking;
• hair loss;
• the occurrence of inflammation,scales or vesicles on the skin;
• appearance of clear bald patches.

He alth problems can be seen in the behavior of the cat. Microsporia causes severe itching, so the pet constantly itches. If the animal combs the wounds, then they begin to bleed and bumpy crusts appear in their place. In this case, the risk of secondary infection is high.

Fungus can affect not only the skin. If the spores have affected the cat's claws, then they can break off, exfoliate and grow twisted.

Tinea versicolor is not always manifested in an open form in cats. Signs and treatment may be late when microsporia is latent. In a cat, only areas of the skin where the hairs have broken off are visible. Such a condition indicates strong immunity, but it is necessary to help the body cope with the pathology.

Consequences of untreated lichen

Often, breeders do not attach importance to small bald patches that form on the head or body of a cat. It is believed that such a problem will pass on its own. However, it has been proven that if ringworm is not treated, then over time, the affected areas become more and more. They grow and merge together, forming one large wound through which any infection can penetrate. In severe cases, a generalized form is diagnosed. In this case, the fungus affects more than half of the pet's body.

Prognosis of pathology development

The rapid development of the disease is observed only in weakened animals. In he althy individuals, most oftenone or two spots are observed, and with appropriate care they quickly disappear. However, with the appearance of adverse factors and a decrease in immunity, ringworm begins to affect an increasing area. In this case, the following signs are observed:

• depression;
• anxiety from constant itching;
• bloody scratches and secondary infection;
• loss of appetite.

It is important that a veterinarian selects the treatment for lichen in cats. When caring for a cat, personal safety measures must be followed.

How can a person not get infected?

Chinese cat's disease can also be transmitted to humans. Treatment in cats involves mandatory preventive measures and disinfection. The mandatory set of measures includes:

1. Mandatory wet and vacuum (vacuum) treatment of the premises. It is necessary to disinfect all household items and cat litter with a disinfectant solution.
2. All manipulations with an infected animal should be done with gloves.
3. Pet care clothes are best washed at the highest temperatures.

Children should be strictly restricted from having a sick cat.

Diagnostic measures

Having identified a fungal infection, it is necessary to find out what type of lichen the cat has developed. Treatment will quickly help get rid of the problem, but accurate diagnosis is important. Therefore, with any suspicion of microsporia, the animal must be shown to a specialist. To exclude other skin pathologies, to identify the type of lichen, it is not enough just a visual examination. Doctoruses three different ways to make an accurate diagnosis:

1. Use of Wood's fluorescent lamp. Under its glow, fungal lesions turn greenish. However, this method has only 50% accuracy. The fact is that not all spores emit a glow. Sometimes, under the influence of various medicines, he althy skin emits a radiance. In addition, the skin of he althy cats often contains spores that can glow, but there are no signs of lichen.
2. Using a microscope. For this, pieces of the affected epithelium and hairs are taken. If a fungus is found in their composition, then its variety is examined. However, the method also does not give a 100% guarantee. In the absence of spores, it is impossible to say for sure that they did not hide in the deeper layers of the skin.
3. Cultivation of pathogenic organisms. The method has the highest accuracy, but its disadvantage is the long execution time. It takes about three weeks to get results.

Blood and urine tests are mandatory. This makes it possible to exclude viral infections and to know the general he alth of the pet.

Medicated treatment

Chinese lichen looks quite unpleasant in cats (photo).

Treatment involves different means of therapy, which depend on the degree of spore damage, the he alth of the pet and its age:

1. Vaccination. Veterinarians most often use Polivak TM and Microderm. However, not all experts consider such measures effective. The vaccine suggestsadministering a drug to prevent and treat an existing problem. The dosage is calculated based on the weight of the pet. As a preventive measure, two injections are needed, for treatment - three. The interval between injections is 10 days.
2. External remedies. The use of different methods of therapy involves the treatment of lichen in cats. Preparations that must be applied externally are highly effective. Your veterinarian may recommend a medicated shampoo, cream, spray, drops, or ointment. For more fruitful use, it is advisable to shave off the hair on the affected areas before processing. Ointments for the treatment of lichen in cats act directly on fungi, but are toxic. Therefore, when using them on a cat, it is recommended to wear a special collar. So the animal will not lick the drug and avoid poisoning.
3. Oral drugs. Tablets are prescribed to the animal only as a last resort, when all the proposed methods are ineffective. Pills have a number of side effects and contraindications. Therefore, the dosage must be accurate and calculated by the veterinarian.

A lot of discomfort gives the animal and the person lichen in cats (photo). Treatment will be effective if all the doctor's recommendations are followed.

Lichen in cats - home treatment

Many breeders seek to get rid of fungal skin lesions on their own. If lichen is found in cats, home treatment is possible only at the initial stage. Veterinarians warn that such methods can be used ifthe affected area is not large and there is no way to purchase special antifungal agents.

Treating lichen in cats with home remedies involves the use of:

• lemon juice with olive oil;
• celandine juice;
• calendula tinctures;
• birch tar;
• onion juice.

However, care must be taken when handling lichen in cats. Home treatment can be carried out if the pet feels well and shows visible improvement.

A fairly popular measure often used by villagers is the ashes of a burned newspaper. To do this, it is necessary to cool the resulting ash and evenly sprinkle the affected area. The product fights the fungus and prevents it from multiplying.

If a cat has lichen, alternative treatment can not always replace professional therapy. Therefore, if the condition worsens, it is better to show the animal to the veterinarian.

Drugs for the treatment of ringworm

As a treatment for ringworm, specialists most often prescribe external preparations. They have a direct effect on spores and have fewer side effects. Therefore, if the treatment of depriving cats with folk remedies did not bring the desired result, it is necessary to use medications:

1. "Clotrimazole". An ointment that has an antifungal effect. The effect of the application is noticeable after 2 weeks. Apply up to 3 times a day. The course of treatment lasts about three weeks.
2. "Sanoderm". Ointment specially formulatedfor pets. It has three actions at once - it fights fungi, pathogenic bacteria and relieves inflammation. The active ingredients are clotrimazole and gentamicin. It must be applied twice a day. After visible improvements, they switch to one-time use. The course is 2-4 weeks.
3. "Miconazole". The release form of this drug is different. You can choose a gel, spray or ointment. The product completely destroys fungi on the body of the animal, has a potent composition, so use with other products is not recommended. The drug is applied to the affected areas twice a day until complete recovery.
4. "Fukortsin". The solution has an antiseptic and antifungal effect. It can be used if the spread of lichen is not large or as a skin preparation for the use of the main drug. Please note that prolonged use is addictive.
5. "Thermicon". Produced in the form of a solution, ointment, spray and gel. The effect is noticeable after a few days of use. The course of treatment is only a week when used twice.
6. "Fungin". Drops based on clotrimazole with the addition of propolis. The tool has a pronounced complex action. Destroys spores, reduces inflammation and promotes rapid regeneration of the skin.

In addition to the main drugs, the animal is prescribed vitamins and drugs that help raise immunity - Ribotan and Anandin.

Treating ringworm in humans

If you find lichen from a cat in a person, treatment should begin immediately. To do this, you need to contact a dermatologist. The doctor will conduct all the necessary examinations and prescribe a comprehensive treatment. The patient will need to take drugs by mouth and use external ointments.

The most commonly prescribed antifungals include:

• "Irunin";
• "Griseofulvin";
• Itrazil.

Antimycotic ointments will also be required:

• Clotrimazole;
• "Mikoseptin";
• Terbinafine;
• Ketoconazole.

For the treatment to be effective, it is recommended to adhere to the following treatment regimen. In the morning, immediately waking up, the patient treats the affected areas with a solution of iodine. Next, the recommended remedy is used. Before going to bed, treat the skin with salicylic acid or sulfuric ointment.

Folk remedies for treating lichen in humans

Traditional medicine offers many recipes. However, not all of them are safe and effective. The following can be recommended:

1. Skin treatment with cranberry juice. You can use garlic.
2. Using apple cider vinegar to lubricate lichen.

But the following recipe is recognized as the most effective. It is necessary to take plantain juice and coals from burning birch branches. The resulting mixture is applied to the affected area several times a day.

Preventive measures

In order not to fight the problem, prevention is needed. For thisIt is important to keep track of who the cat has contact with. It is advisable to limit free walks on the street without control or to completely abandon them. Pet bedding, litter box and bowl should be cleaned regularly.

As a preventive measure, many veterinarians suggest vaccinating your pet. Although not all experts consider this method to be effective, nevertheless, an injection will not harm a cat.

It is important to monitor the he alth of the cat and strengthen its immunity. This requires proper nutrition, proper care and timely deworming. It is especially important to observe the animal in spring and autumn. At this time, it is advisable to purchase a vitamin-mineral complex and offer the cat along with food.

Often the owners themselves contribute to infection. Fungal spores can be found on outdoor shoes or human hands. Therefore, it is necessary to limit the cat's access to street shoes and forbid children to pet stray animals.

It must be remembered that if there are several cats in the house, then vaccination is required for all pets. It is necessary to isolate the sick animal, and disinfect all places. Your veterinarian may recommend fortifying medications for cats that have been in contact with the case.

Conclusion

Ringworm in cats is a fairly common problem. Every year, veterinarians encounter a similar disease and have developed certain tactics to destroy the fungus. Don't rely on home remedies alone. They will help in case of a minor lesion and may be a panacea for stray cats whowant to help.

If an animal is purebred and constantly lives at home, then its innate immunity is somewhat weaker. Therefore, for treatment, you must contact the veterinary clinic. Treatment should be comprehensive and affect not only external signs, but also affect the cause of the development of the disease - weakened immunity. Therefore, together with antifungal ointments and shampoos, funds will be prescribed to improve overall he alth.