LoveToKnow Cats:AllComments

From LoveToKnow Cats

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Hi Irwin,

Ringworm is actually a fungus. It is contracted by touching the infected area and children seem to be especially susceptible. Any clothing, carpet and bedding should be washed thoroughly in very hot water and preferably with a solution of a cup of chlorine bleach to a gallon of water. However, this is not always possible when it comes to carpeting and bedding as it may fade the colors. Use your best common sense in this area.

Once treatment starts, an infected cat will be contagious for around three more weeks. However, if you miss treatments or the treatments are not aggressive, this may last longer. Do not touch the infected areas of the cat's skin and if you do, wash your hands immediately with soap and hot water.

-- Contributed by: LoriSoard

The cat I adopted from the shelter tested positive for ringworm. Since he was there for two full years, the vet put him on oral meds and the lotion treatment. How long does it take before he is no longer contagious?

-- Contributed by: irwin52799

Hi Jen,

She should be just fine. Ringworm acts like any other fungus, so the medication should clear it up quickly. I wouldn't worry about doing anything other than washing her bedding and anywhere she had rested. If you haven't picked it up by now, chances are you won't.

-- Contributed by: LoriSoard

We've been trying to figure out why our shelter kitty has had chronic ear infections since we brought her home for about the past year. The vet finally figured out with an ear culture that it's ringworm, despite the fact that she has no lesions that I can see at all. None of the rest of us, including another cat we adopted at the same time, show any signs of ringworm.

Should I do anything special with the whole house, which has been 'ringwormed up' for the past year? Will her quality of life be all right once she completes her round of oral meds?

-- Contributed by: Jen

Hi Anna,

Ringworm is pretty easily treated with medication. I would probably ask that she get a statement from her vet that the kitten's feces has been tested and shown free of ringworm after treatment. You may want to go ahead and take a sample to your own vet after you receive the kitten, just to be on the safe side. Ringworm is fairly mild, however, and easily treated, so I wouldn't be overly worried as long as it is quickly cleared up.

-- Contributed by: LoriSoard

I have put a deposit on a kitten, the breeder just called me and said the kitten has gotten ringworm from other cat they just purchased I am not sure if I should buy this cat now I am consider. Please let me know what you think. Thank you

-- Contributed by: Anna
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