Why do kittens get ringworm?
Ringworm is caused by a group of fungi called dermatophytes that feed on keratin in skin, hair, and nail tissue. We most commonly see ringworm in kittens, mainly strays that have been rescued. Ringworm is very contagious, most often spread by direct contact with an infected individual.
Is it possible for a kitten to get ringworm?
Okay, it’s not fair to blame kittens for every case of ringworm, but that soft and fluffy feline coat may be harboring an uninvited guest. Let’s get this out of the way first — ringworm (more correctly called dermatophytosis) has nothing to do with worms.
What should I do if my dog has ringworm?
If anything, treating ringworm is even more difficult than diagnosing it. Mild to moderate cases may respond to medicated baths, lotions or dips (e.g., lime-sulfur, miconazole, chlorexidine). Shaving pets with long fur can help the medications reach the skin and reduce the number of contagious fungal spores present.
How did ringworm get its name from Worms?
Let’s get this out of the way first — ringworm (more correctly called dermatophytosis) has nothing to do with worms. It got the name because the raised ring that is a characteristic of the infection in people, but not pets, looks a bit like a worm lodged underneath the skin.
What’s the best way to test for ringworm?
Something called a toothbrush test — essentially brushing a pet’s fur with a toothbrush and then poking the bristles into a fungal growth medium — is a good way to screen potential asymptomatic carriers. If anything, treating ringworm is even more difficult than diagnosing it.
Where can I take a kitten with ringworm?
Because ringworm is quite contagious in a high-volume setting, kittens with ringworm are at risk of euthanasia without a foster home that is willing to take them home. If you’re able to save some kittens from the fungal jungle, you should consider signing up to foster ringworm kittens at your local shelter!
Why do kittens get ringworm more often than other cats?
Cats don’t just get the disease more frequently than do other animals, they also shed LARGE numbers of fungal spores when they are infected. So while the ringworm fungus can be found virtually everywhere in our environments, contact with an infected kitten or cat is often responsible for overwhelming a person or pet’s natural defenses.
How often should you bathe a kitten with ringworm?
Several times a week, change the kitten’s bedding and toys, and sanitize soiled items in a washing machine with hot water and bleach. Completely disinfect the kittens’ area and all supplies using an approved disinfectant. My recommendation is to use a product like Rescue disinfectant. Twice a week, your kitten will need a medicated dip or bath.
How can you tell if a kitten has ringworm?
A common method for detecting ringworm is to examine the skin under a black light, or a Wood’s lamp. Certain strains of ringworm will glow under a black light, so when you shine it on the kitten, you may see that their bald spots glow bright purple!
