IDENTIFY RINGWORM IN PERSIAN CATS

Courtesy : examiner.com

First of all, ringworm is NOT a worm, it is a fungus. Ringworm spores can travel great distances on air currents, and can be brought into your home and on your clothing/shoes. Basically, ringworm spores are everywhere in the environment, outside as well as inside our homes. Anyone who owns (or has owned) a Persian cat knows that at some time or another they will have to deal with ringworm. In our opinion, any cattery that says they have never had a case of ringworm may have failed to recognize the signs of infection in their cats.

Ringworm and Persian cats (and other long-haired breeds) go hand in hand. Especially, when bringing in a new cat or kitten. The stress of the move and the age of the cat, can all play a part in that new cat or kitten developing ringworm within 3-4 weeks of coming to a new home. The very young, the very old and immunosuppressed cats or kittens are at the highest risk of getting ringworm. Ringworm exposure is why it is imperative to isolate or quarantine a new Persian kitten or cat for at least 4 weeks to make sure that it has not developed ringworm and could potentially infect other household pets. Sometimes, a cat can be an asymptomatic carrier which means that it can have ringworm, but not show any signs of having it. However, a carrier sheds the spores and infects other cat(s) in the household. Ringworm is a zoonotic disease (can be transmitted from animals to humans).

If left untreated, ringworm can be very difficult to eradicate from a household the fungal spores can contaminate the environment a cat is housed in. Ringworm is a systemic disease which requires treatment with an oral medication as well as an anti-fungal dip (Lime Sulphur Dip) for the spores. Failing to use this two prong approach means that the Ringworm will not be fully eradicated !