| Ringworm is a very common form of skin disease | | | | head or the paws. Ringworm can easily be identified |
| that is found in both dogs and cats. Although its | | | | by a patch of scaly skin on the body that appears |
| name makes you think otherwise, this skin disease | | | | itchy and inflamed. There will also be broken hairs |
| isn't caused by any type of worm. It's actually | | | | around the patch of scaly skin. This area is very |
| caused by fungi known as Dermatophytes that feed | | | | sensitive, and you should never try to touch it, as it |
| on dead tissues found in the surface of the skin, | | | | will hurt your cat. |
| spreading them around the skin of the animal. | | | | If you notice any of the above symptoms with your |
| With cats, there is a certain type of fungi known as | | | | pet, you should immediately schedule an appointment |
| M Canis that is found with nearly 95% of all ringworm | | | | with your vet. If the vet diagnosis your cat with |
| cases. Normally, cats will get the ringworm disease | | | | ringworm, he may prescribe ointment or tablets. |
| from contaminated objects like bedding, clippers, or | | | | What he describes however, will determine on how |
| another animal that already has the disease. If there | | | | serious the ringworm is. If he prescribes tablets to |
| are animals in your home or around your house that | | | | your cat, you should give them with meals. Ointment |
| have the ringworm disease, your cat could very | | | | on the other hand, is normally spread into the coat, |
| easily contract it this way. | | | | topically. You should always use what your vet |
| If you have kittens or cats that are under a year old | | | | prescribes on a daily basis, to ensure that your cat |
| in your home, you should always use precaution, as | | | | heals. The healing process will take time, normally |
| they are more susceptible to ringworm. Kittens can | | | | around six weeks or more. |
| easily contract the disease, especially if you allow | | | | Cats that have ringworm should be labeled as |
| them to go outside. They can easily come in contact | | | | infectious. If you have children in the house, you |
| with a contaminated object or another cat that has | | | | should keep them away from your pet. Whenever |
| the disease. Kittens take a long time to build their | | | | you handle your cat, you should always use gloves. |
| immune system up, and in the meantime they are | | | | Ringworms are contagious, and you should always |
| more apt to get common disease such as ringworm. | | | | use caution. Even though it's a mild disease, ringworm |
| The most common symptoms of ringworm in cats | | | | can result in serious problems due to the slow |
| are rough or broken hairs, or hair loss around the | | | | recovery time and fact that it's contagious. |