Ringworm Identification in Pets: Treatment, Prevention and Home Remedies

 Article source: http://www.rescuecats.org/. Used with author's permission.

"Ringworm" is the common name for the skin infection caused by a special group of fungi; it is not caused by a worm at all. The fungi feed upon the dead cells of skin and hair causing, in people, a classic round, red lesion with a ring of scale around the edges and normal recovering skin in the center. Because the ring of irritated, itchy skin looked like a worm, the infection was erroneously named. The fungi responsible are called "dermatophytes," meaning "plants that live on the skin" thus the more correct term for ringworm is "dermatophytosis." The characteristic "ring" appearance is primarily a human phenomenon. In animals, ringworm frequently looks like a dry, grey, scaly patch but can also mimic any other skin lesion and have any appearance.

WHERE WOULD MY PET PICK UP THIS INFECTION?

The spores of dermatophyte fungi are extremely hardy in the environment; they can live for years. All it takes is skin contact with a spore to cause infection. Infected animals are continuously dropping spore-covered hairs as infected hairs break off into the environment. Some animals are carriers, who never show signs of skin irritation themselves but can infect others readily. There are several species of dermatophyte fungi. Different species of fungi come from different kinds of animals or even from soil thus determining the ringworm species can help determine the source of the fungal infection.

TREATMENT

Commitment is the key to success especially if you have more than one pet. Infected animals are constantly shedding spores into the environment (your house) thus disinfection is just as important as treatment of the affected pet.

ORAL MEDICATION FOR INFECTED PETS

There are primarily two medications being used to treat ringworm: Griseofulvin and Itraconazole (brand name "Sporonox"). Veterinary dermatologists disagree as to which is better. Both medications are relatively expensive, must be given with food, and have significant potential to cause birth defects in pregnant pets.

Treatment with either medication typically is continued for 1-2 months and should not be discontinued until the pet cultures negative. Stopping when the pet simply looks well visually frequently leads to recurrence of the disease.

GRISEOFULVIN (brand name Fulvicin) This medication must be given with a fatty meal in order for an effective dose to be absorbed by the pet. Persian cats and young kittens are felt to be sensitive to its side effects which usually are limited to nausea but can include liver disease and serious white blood cell changes. Cats infected with the Feline Immunodeficiency Virus commonly develop life-threatening blood cell changes and should never be exposed to this medication. Despite the side effects, which can be severe for some individuals, Griseofulvin is still the traditional medication for the treatment of ringworm and is usually somewhat less expensive than Itraconazole.

ITRACONAZOLE This medication is highly effective in the treatment of ringworm but is available in capsules far too large to be useful to most small animals. This means that a special company must reformulated the medication into a more useful size. Nausea is a potential side effect for this medication but probably the main reason it is passed by in favor of griseofulvin is expense. Itraconazole is also effective in treating many life-threatening fungal infections whereas Griseofulvin only treats ringworm.

By increasing the amount of Itraconazole in the environment, we may be creating resistance in more dangerous fungi which could become a problem over the years. On the average, cats treated with Itraconazole and nothing else were able to achieve cure two weeks sooner than cats treated with Griseofulvin.

DOES PROGRAM CURE RINGWORM? In the late fall of 2000, the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association published a study of over 200 cases indicating that Lufenuron (the active ingredient of Program) could be an effective treatment for Ringworm. This began as an observation that animals using Program or Sentinel for flea control did not get ringworm. Questions about this work have come up from the public since the release of this work. The fact is that the study is still under scrutiny by members of the American College of Veterinary Dermatology and "the jury is still out." It is clear that the doses purported to be helpful with Ringworm should not be harmful. At this time the use of lufenuron for Ringworm is reasonable if other more conventional treatments are concurrently used.

Other Ringworm Treatments:

#1-Clip hair around the ringworm patch. Once a day dip a cotton swab into tincture of goldenseal and paint the entire affected area. Limit the treated area to a dime-size spot in cats and small animals and up to a quarter-size spot in larger dogs. If there is more than one spot, alternate daily treatments from one spot to the other.

#2-Tea Tree Oil. Apply oil on a Q-tip or cotton ball to the affected area, twice the diameter of the lesion.

#3-Bleach. One part bleach to nine parts water (premixed), applied to the affected area twice the diameter of the lesion. DO NOT use near the eyes!

RescueCats, Inc. has gathered this information from various sources and does not recommend or endorse any one method of treatment. All treatments used are at your own risk.

About the author:

RescueCats, Inc. is an all volunteer, no-kill animal rescue agency in Fayetteville, Georgia. Visit http://www.rescuecats.org for more useful tips and articles about cats and kittens.

 RescueCats Inc.

More Articles 

Cat training for sever weather - Tony Robinson
Ever wonder if you should be training a cat for sever weather? Yes a cat can be trained for sever weather. First, make sure that the cat has been to the vet for check ups and vaccines. This first will protect them from illness that they pick...

8 Simple Visual Indicators Your Dog Is Fat - Andrew Lewis
Your dog is fat. OK, possibly not. But there's a very good chance he or she is, and you don't even know it. Statistics vary, but veterinarians report that as many as 25 - 44% of all dogs are overweight, and that obesity is the number-one canine...

Cheap Cat Playthings You can Find Around Your Home - Japer Page
Buying toys from your local pet shop can be expensive, and after the money you spend on it, your cat either tears the toy to pieces in a couple of hours or turns its nose up completely! Why not save your money and entertain your cat...

Is Your Cat Ready for Toilet Training? Here's 5 Ways You Can Tell - Rebecca Rescate
At the end of a long day, who wants to sift through a messy litter box? Certainly not me. Up until now, the litter-box has been a necessary evil, a small price to pay for our beloved companions. But not anymore. In fact, there's an underground...

Improving the Veterinary Medical Attention of our Cat - Daniel Lesser
The choice of a Veterinary Doctor for our cat is not always easy, we will have to find that professional who makes you and patient feel comfortable. This can be done by references, proximity of the address, affection, suitability,...

Cat Litter Box Strategies for Special Needs Kitties - Nancy E Wigal
You don't often hear about or see information for special needs kitties. These may be blind, very old (with limited mobility), or disabled in some way. Disabled cats may be amputees, or even paralyzed. There are special mobile devices you can...

Cat Litter Box Health Considerations - RC Wellborn
Cats are the most popular pets in the United States. According to the latest version of the U.S. Pet Ownership & Demographics Sourcebook (2002 Edition) there were almost 70 Million pet cats in the United States. Why are cats so popular? There are...

An Overview of Cat Breeds - Elyse Grau
Cats were one of the last animals to be domesticated. They were first found in households in Egypt about 5000 years ago. Currently they are the most popular house pets, outnumbering dogs by more than two to one. The earliest domestic...

Four Cat Litter Box Location Sites In Your Home - Nancy E Wigal
You've heard that in real estate location is everything. This applies equally to your cat's litter box. Successful, consistent cat litter box habits depend upon several factors, and the litter location is crucial. This article will highlight how...

Read Your Cat's Body Language - Know Your Pet More - John E Miller
Read Your Cat's Body Language - Know Your Pet More Meow! That is the sound you hear when you meet your cat walking down the doorway. It will move with his head and tail held high, looking directly at your eyes and emitting a faint...

Adopting A Cat - Christopher Thomas
Cats are sweet and cuddly! It's easy to get swept up in the emotion and buy a cat without thinking. But that's not how it should be. Whether or not to adopt a cat is by no means an easy decision. It carries with it huge responsibility. You will...

Dog and Cat Behavior Consultations - Linda Mar Veterinary Hospital
Why Behavior Consultations? More than half of all pet owners experience behavior problems with theirs pets. Unfortunately, many times the early signs of a behavior problem may go unrecognized or little is done to try to treat the initial...