Ringworm is a very ordinary form of skin disease that is known in both dogs and cats. Although its name makes you think otherwise, this skin disease isn’t caused by any variety of worm. It’s essentially caused by fungi known as Dermatophytes that feed on dead tissues found in the surface of the skin, scattering them throughout the skin of the animal.
With cats, there is a specific form of fungi established as M Canis that is found with near 95% of all ringworm cases. Usually, cats will obtain the ringworm disease from diseased objects like bedding, nail clippers, or another animal that already has the disease. If there are animals in your home or around your home that have the ringworm disease, your cat could very easily catch it this manner.
If you have kittens or cats that are under a year old in your home, you should continuously use precaution, as they are more susceptible to ringworm. Kittens can easily catch the disease, especially if you allow them to go outside. They can easily come in contact with a infected article or another cat that has the disease. Kittens need a lengthy time to build their immune system up, and in the meantime they are more inclined to contract everyday disease like ringworm.
The most everyday symptoms of ringworm in cats are rough or damaged hairs, or hair loss in the vicinity of the head or the paws. Ringworm can clearly be identified by a patch of scaly skin on the body that appears scratchy and reddened. There will also be damaged hairs in the vicinity of the patch of scaly skin. This region is very sensitive, and you should never try to touch it.
If you discover any of the foregoing symptoms with your pet, you should immediately schedule an appointment with your vet. If the vet diagnosis your cat with ringworm, he may well prescribe lotion or tablets. What he prescribes however, will determine on how critical the ringworm is. If he prescribes pills to your cat, you should offer them with meals. Ointment on the other hand, is customarily spread into the coat, topically. You should always utilize what your vet prescribes on a every day basis, to make sure that your cat heals. The curing procedure will take time, usually about six weeks or more.
Cats that have ringworm should be labeled as contagious. If you have children in the residence, you should keep them away from your pet. Each time you handle your cat, you should at all times wear gloves. Ringworms are infectious, and you should invariably exercise caution. Despite it’s a mild sickness, ringworm can result in considerable troubles due to the long recovery time and fact that it’s infectious.
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