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How to prevent, diagnose and treat your cat's ringworm

While cats can be affected by various types of worms, ringworm, in fact, fungal infection, not a worm. Ringworm is a fungus that can affect cats, dogs and humans. While there are different forms of ringworm, the most common form of ringworm in cats is caused by Microsporum canis, or M. canis. If you are a pet owner, you should know how to identify and treat ringworm, and must be aware of how it spreads.

How can contract ringworm cats?

As the ringworm fungus thrives in warm, humid most often manifests itself in our pets in the cooler months of autumn and winter. Ringworm is contracted by cats through contact with infected animals, including dogs, rats, mice, cats and other, or bedding or sleeping quarters of other pet. In addition, fungal spores can be released into the environment, where they can be picked up by a cat who spends time outdoors. Cats also can be asymptomatic carriers of the fungus, with no signs of infection themselves themselves but can transmit the fungus to other animals.

What If the symptoms of ringworm?

Ringworm can be identified by the presence of lesions which can vary in appearance, but is the most common manifestation of a small circular lesion without hair, often with scaly skin the center that can be swollen and tender. These injuries are most often found in the tail, head and ears. Ringworm can also appear as a more general skin disease, or may be caused by chronic ear infections.

How is ringworm diagnosed?

While there several methods used to identify the jock, the only sure way to make this diagnosis is to culture the infected area. This is a fairly routine test your vet can do for you.

Ringworm can be prevented?

The best ways to prevent ringworm are:

1. Give your cat a healthy diet and living environment care
2. Exposure Limit

Cats whose immune systems are weakened by illness, age, or a poor diet are more susceptible to ringworm. Young kittens are also most at risk until their immune systems stronger. Because of the risks of infection are higher than outdoors, where animals can be infected with live spores in the grass and earth, it would be prudent to keep the kittens, old cats, and sick cats inside as much as possible. You can reduce your cat's susceptibility to ringworm by feeding a nutritionally sound, healthy diet. In addition, any new animal introduced into their first home should be tested for ringworm.

What is the treatment for ringworm?

Mild cases of ringworm may resolve on their own, if your cat is healthy. Ringworm can also be treated with topical antifungal medications, in this case, the hair around the injury must be cut short, and then sterilized cutting tools. There are also treatments for oral and injectable ringworm. Because that ringworm spores can survive for long without a host - until about eighteen months, the cleanliness and hygiene must be an integral part of their plan.

While you are treating your cat for ringworm from your cat's bedding should be washed regularly. Wash and dry the fabrics at high temperatures because the heat will kill fungus, hard surfaces in the home should be cleaned with a mild bleach solution. Vacuum carpets and upholstery regularly to remove spores of fungi. Sure use gloves when handling your cat and its bedding, and try to keep children away from the cat.
All pets in the home should be tested, even they no symptoms of ringworm. Sometimes animals can be infected by the fungus without showing any symptoms, but as a carrier, can transmit ringworm to other pets at home.

Ringworm can be transmitted to people?

Unfortunately, yes. You and your children are susceptible to get ringworm from your pets. Children are at greater risk than adults. Prevention through good hygiene and proper nutrition is the best way, but diagnosis and prompt treatment of infected pets to minimize the risk of ringworm from your cat.

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About the Author

For more informational articles on how to keep your cat healthy and happy, visit http://www.healthy-cat-supplies.com.

Kat Bartone is a writer, musician, computer technology instructor, internet marketer, and blogging enthusiast. She lives in Massachusetts with her cat Zoe.

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How to prevent, diagnose and treat your cat's ringworm

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