Ringworm; Symptoms & Diagnosis
October 11, 2009 by lucky
Filed under Cat Diseases, Cat Health
Feline ringworm is not actually caused by worms, but by a fungus which grows in the layers of the skin, nails or hair. The fungi are found in three different forms- Microsporum Canis, Microsporum Gypsum and Trichophyton. It is Microsporum Canis that is most commonly found in cats.
Ringworm is contagious, and is spread from other infected animals
Feline ringworm is caused by fungal organisms named dermatophytes. The disease usually targets cats under a year old because their immune systems haven’t fully developed. Cats with long hair also contract feline ringworm more often than short-haired cats. The disease is very infectious and can be transmitted to cats, humans, and dogs. The fungus is spread from other infected animals; the spores typically cluster around the infected hairs and are shed with the hairs onto bedding, combs, furniture and carpets. The fungus spores from an infected cat remain infectious for up to two years.
When a cat comes into contact with infected spores, they attach to the skin and germinate to produce hyphae which then invade the cat’s hair and skin. It is thought that the cat is more susceptible to infection if they have broken or sore skin areas. Cats most at risk of infection appear to be those under a year old, and long haired cats, who may struggle to groom themselves effectively.
Symptoms
Their will be circular patches where the hair has fallen out, due to the fungus weakening the hair shafts. These are most common around the head and on the limbs, although ringworm can also affect the claws and claw beds. The cat may also develop dry, flaky skin, which may become itchy and red. Dandruff may also be present. Ringworm can be difficult to diagnose as symptoms are very similar to other skin conditions.
If your cat displays signs of a skin condition, you should consult your vet as a matter of course. There are various tests which can determine a diagnosis of ringworm. The fungus around the hair follicles will glow a fluorescent green when the cat is placed under an ultraviolet lamp. Your vet may remove some hair from your cat and incubate these in a laboratory- if the hairs are infected by ringworm, then the fungus will grow. A microscopic examination can also be undertaken to look for fungus spores in the cat’s coat.
