Cats Ringworm In Humans

Ringworm — Does Q-Based have products for ringworm on people?

How to prevent heartworm in dogs and cats

ARLINGTON, Va. (WJLA) – As autumn sets in and temperatures cool around the D.C. area, veterinarians are cautioning pet owners to keep their animals treated for heartworm year round.

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Heartworm, a parasite that grows and lives in the hearts of animals, is spread through mosquitoes and mostly affects dogs.

In an appearance Friday on Let’s Talk Live on NewsChannel 8, though, veterinarian Dr. Katy Nelson says that owners of both dogs and cats need to be aware of the persistent risk of the deadly disorder.

“We have to think about D.C. and the heat islands we have here,” Dr. Nelson said. “If you have a potted plant in your home that stays warm, a mosquito can lay its eggs there.”

Heartworm isn’t just a concern for dogs, Dr. Nelson said. Cats can be even more susceptible to sudden death when they contract ringworm.

Nelson says that all it takes is one or two worms living in a cat’s heart for it to prove fatal.

“It’s very difficult to test for and treat cats,” she said. “We were seeing for years all these cats with sudden death and no explained reason for it.

“Now, looking back, we’ve started to believe that it was due to heartworm disease.”

Dogs and cats should be treated, either via pill or topical cream, year round, no matter whether pets spend most of their time indoors or outdoors.

“All it takes is one bite, and all (prevention) takes is one pill,” Nelson said.

For more advice and information on how to keep your pets healthy, you can watch The Pet Show with Dr. Katy every Saturday at 11 a.m. on NewsChannel 8.

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Article source: http://www.wjla.com/articles/2013/09/how-to-prevent-heartworm-in-dogs-and-cats-93699.html

Ringworm in Dogs | Ringworm in Cats

Ringworm is the common term for fungal infections in the skin, caused by types of fungi called Dermatophytes.  The disease has nothing to do with worms but is usually characterized by ring-like hairless or inflamed areas on the animal’s coat.

 Ringworm Diagnosis

Ringworm lesions can mimic many other skin conditions.  Sometimes a blue-light used by the veterinarian can be helpful.  A negative result is meaningless since only certain types of ringworm “light up” but a positive result can be diagnostic.Ringworm cultures can be done from hairs but take up to 2 weeks for results and again, false negatives are possible. At times, response to therapy can be the most diagnostic approach. Some animals can be carrier animals, having fungal organisms in their coat but not showing symptoms.  Therefore when treating ringworm, all animals must be treated. Infections are transmitted by contact with infected hairs, either on the pet or those falling off into the environment.  Therefore, not only all pets, but also the environment must be treated. Although ringworm can be contagious to people, it is rarely a serious problem.  If you do develop lesions, consult your physician.

 Ringworm Treatment

Treatment is continued a minimum of 2 weeks past cure (at least 4 weeks) and can include the following options:

•  Clipping the hair away form the lesion(s) or even the entire body if lesions are diffuse, can be helpful in slowing spread of the fungus and allowing more effective topical therapy.


•   With small isolated lesions a topical antifungal cream can be helpful.  It should be applied to the lesion and out into surrounding normal skin.  It is usually best to combine this treatment with some kind of whole body shampoo or dip.


•   Shampoo therapy is safe and may help to reduce or eliminate organisms from the coat.  Shampoo therapy is rarely curative by itself in active infections.  Ketoconazole (Nizoral) Shampoo or Chlorhexiderm (Nolvasan) Shampoo can be used every 5-7 days.


•  Lym-Dyp is a very safe and effective treatment option.  Follow directions carefully.  The dip is diluted out and sponged into the pets coat , soaking to the skin every 5-7 days.  The dip is not rinsed off.  The problem with Lym-Dyp is that it smells like rotten eggs and will stain everything it contacts.  It is best to remove all jewelry, wear gloves and use a plastic tub that can be disposed of after your pet is cured.  Work outdoors if at all possible.


•   Griseofulvin is a tablet that is given 1-2 times daily.  It is highly effective and may be the treatment of choice, especially in severe cases or when Lym-Dyp is not practical.  However, although uncommon, Griseofulvin can be toxic and in rare cases cause severe problems.  It cannot be given to pregnant animals and may cause side effects including Gastrointestinal upset, bone marrow suppression and liver toxicity.  Bloodwork should be monitored when pets are taking this medication and costs will increase concurrently.


• The environment must be thoroughly cleaned, including vacuuming, change filters in air conditioning units, dusting and wherever possible using hot water and detergent with 1:10 Clorox bleach to wash bedding materials, etc.  In severe cases it may be necessary to steam clean carpeting using 1 oz. Nolvasan / gallon.  When possible, attempt to quarantine affected animals to one room of the house and minimize traffic from this area to reduce environmental contamination.

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Cats And Ring Worm

Ringworm is a very common form of skin disease that is found in both dogs and cats. Although its name makes you think otherwise, this skin disease isn’t caused by any type of worm. It’s actually caused by fungi known as Dermatophytes that feed on dead tissues found in the surface of the skin, spreading them around the skin of the animal.

With cats, there is a certain type of fungi known as M Canis that is found with nearly 95% of all ringworm cases. Normally, cats will get the ringworm disease from contaminated objects like bedding, clippers, or another animal that already has the disease. If there are animals in your home or around your house that have the ringworm disease, your cat could very easily contract it this way.

If you have kittens or cats that are under a year old in your home, you should always use precaution, as they are more susceptible to ringworm. Kittens can easily contract the disease, especially if you allow them to go outside. They can easily come in contact with a contaminated object or another cat that has the disease. Kittens take a long time to build their immune system up, and in the meantime they are more apt to get common disease such as ringworm.

The most common symptoms of ringworm in cats are rough or broken hairs, or hair loss around the head or the paws. Ringworm can easily be identified by a patch of scaly skin on the body that appears itchy and inflamed. There will also be broken hairs around the patch of scaly skin. This area is very sensitive, and you should never try to touch it, as it will hurt your cat.

If you notice any of the above symptoms with your pet, you should immediately schedule an appointment with your vet. If the vet diagnosis your cat with ringworm, he may prescribe ointment or tablets. What he describes however, will determine on how serious the ringworm is. If he prescribes tablets to your cat, you should give them with meals. Ointment on the other hand, is normally spread into the coat, topically. You should always use what your vet prescribes on a daily basis, to ensure that your cat heals. The healing process will take time, normally around six weeks or more.

Cats that have ringworm should be labeled as infectious. If you have children in the house, you should keep them away from your pet. Whenever you handle your cat, you should always use gloves. Ringworms are contagious, and you should always use caution. Even though it’s a mild disease, ringworm can result in serious problems due to the slow recovery time and fact that it’s contagious.

Cats And Ring Worm

Ringworm is a very common form of skin disease that is found in both dogs and cats.  Although its name makes you think otherwise, this skin disease isn’t caused by any type of worm.  It’s actually caused by fungi known as Dermatophytes that feed on dead tissues found in the surface of the skin, spreading them around the skin of the animal.

With cats, there is a certain type of fungi known as M Canis that is found with nearly 95% of all ringworm cases.  Normally, cats will get the ringworm disease from contaminated objects like bedding, clippers, or another animal that already has the disease.  If there are animals in your home or around your house that have the ringworm disease, your cat could very easily contract it this way.

If you have kittens or cats that are under a year old in your home, you should always use precaution, as they are more susceptible to ringworm.  Kittens can easily contract the disease, especially if you allow them to go outside.  They can easily come in contact with a contaminated object or another cat that has the disease.  Kittens take a long time to build their immune system up, and in the meantime they are more apt to get common disease such as ringworm.

The most common symptoms of ringworm in cats are rough or broken hairs, or hair loss around the head or the paws.  Ringworm can easily be identified by a patch of scaly skin on the body that appears itchy and inflamed.  There will also be broken hairs around the patch of scaly skin.  This area is very sensitive, and you should never try to touch it, as it will hurt your cat.

If you notice any of the above symptoms with your pet, you should immediately schedule an appointment with your vet.  If the vet diagnosis your cat with ringworm, he may prescribe ointment or tablets.  What he describes however, will determine on how serious the ringworm is.  If he prescribes tablets to your cat, you should give them with meals.  Ointment on the other hand, is normally spread into the coat, topically.  You should always use what your vet prescribes on a daily basis, to ensure that your cat heals.  The healing process will take time, normally around six weeks or more.

Cats that have ringworm should be labeled as infectious.  If you have children in the house, you should keep them away from your pet. Whenever you handle your cat, you should always use gloves.  Ringworms are contagious, and you should always use caution.  Even though it’s a mild disease, ringworm can result in serious problems due to the slow recovery time and fact that it’s contagious.

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RINGWORM IN DOGS AND CATS....

Helpful Buckeye appreciates the patience and understanding shown by all of our readers as a consequence of the necessity of changing the format for last week’s issue of Questions On Dogs and Cats. Actually, the “Snow Bound….” issue allowed for the opportunity to run a few informative pieces of information that otherwise might have not fit in with our regular weekly topics. Helpful Buckeye appreciates all the e-mails about the different topics last week.

If you haven’t already read the title for this week’s issue, you might be thinking this photo is from one of the science fiction movies so popular today. No, this is something that some of you may have experienced yourself or perhaps your dog and/or cat had the misfortune to encounter. This is a dermatophyte….more about this later in this issue.

Questions On Dogs and Cats is bringing back the weekly poll question this week. We haven’t run a poll question for a couple of weeks and it was nice to get so many e-mails asking why not. Due to the structure of the 2 previous issues, it just wasn’t feasible. So, be sure to answer this week’s poll question in the column to the left.

As a reminder, readers can send an e-mail to Helpful Buckeye at: dogcatvethelp@gmail.com and you can also register a comment at the end of each issue by clicking on the “Comment” icon and proceeding as directed.

CURRENT NEWS OF INTEREST

1) The American Veterinary Medical Association is reminding all pet owners that February is National Pet Dental Health Month. You can read their announcement, which begins with this introduction: “It is estimated that 80 percent of people brush their teeth every day, but far fewer pet owners do the same for their pets. Pet Dental Health Month, celebrated every February, teaches pet owners proper dental hygiene is equally as important for their pets.” at: http://www.avma.org/press/releases/100125_npdhm.asp

Questions On Dogs and Cats published several topics on dental disease in pets during last year’s National Pet Dental Health Month of February, which can be found at:

http://questionsondogsandcats.blogspot.com/2009/01/vetting-dogs.html
http://questionsondogsandcats.blogspot.com/2009/01/super-bowl-ground-hog-day-day-music.html
http://questionsondogsandcats.blogspot.com/2009/02/desperados-birthday.html
http://questionsondogsandcats.blogspot.com/2009/02/darwin-and-lincoln.html
http://questionsondogsandcats.blogspot.com/2009/02/serendipity-amnesia-and-deja-vu.html

A good review of dental care is a great idea for any dog and cat owner anyway…so, take a few minutes, go back and review these short articles, and your pet will appreciate it!

2) A recent study, reported by the American Animal Hospital Association, has shown some connections between certain types of air pollution and lung cancer in dogs. Read the preliminary findings at: http://trends.aahanet.org/eweb/dynamicpage.aspx?site=trends&webcode=newsdetail&articleKey=f19ac78f-2e0d-4f34-94d8-6fa526fc5136

3) A fire department in Georgia has been using pet oxygen masks for resuscitation of pets that have been rescued from house fires. Read about the program designed to provide a pet oxygen mask for every firetruck at: http://www.pawnation.com/2010/01/26/smoke-mask-for-pets-donated-to-georgia-fire-department/ and be sure to watch the short video of the product in use.

DISEASES, AILMENTS, AND MEDICAL CONDITIONS

Sometimes the name of a disease can be misleading. This week’s featured disease is one of those. Ringworm doesn’t always have to appear as a round ring and it for sure does NOT involve a worm. The name ringworm arose several hundred years ago when early physicians thought the circular lesions on humans were the result of a skin worm infestation.

Ringworm in dogs and cats is caused by a small group of fungus organisms. There are numerous fungal infections seen in dogs and cats, ranging from the more serious systemic (affecting the entire body, mainly the internal organs) diseases like Histoplasmosis, Blastomycosis, Cryptococcosis, and Coccidiodomycosis to the more superficial skin infections like ringworm. In dogs, ringworm can be cause by any of 3 species of fungus, with 70% of infections being caused by Microsporum canis. In cats, 98% of ringworm infections are caused by Microsporum canis.

The main mode of transmission for ringworm is by direct contact with another infected animal or with a human who has the disease. Ringworm can go from human to animal, animal to animal, and from animal to human (zoonotic). Fungal spores from infected animals can be shed into the pet’s environment and survive on their own for more than a year. These spores can be found in carpeting, bedding, furniture upholstery fabric, and on grooming equipment that has been used on an infected animal. Contact with these items can also lead to the spread of ringworm.

The clinical appearance of ringworm varies from animal to animal. The characteristic circular appearance seen in humans isn’t always the way it appears on dogs and cats. These photos show the classic appearance usually seen in humans:

Even though this circular form can be seen in dogs and cats, the lesions can also be irregular in shape. Dogs usually show a scaly patch of skin that is devoid of hair or perhaps has just a few broken hairs present. These lesions may or may not be itchy and the exposed skin may or may not be reddened and inflamed. They are most commonly found on the face, ears, tail, and paws, but can be on the torso as well. There may be infected pustules present, especially in the center of the lesion. Cats usually don’t show much of the itchiness, reddening, or infected pustules and most ringworm infections are found on the ears, face, and legs. This photo of a dog with ringworm shows a fairly large affected area on the torso in addition to the spot on the tail.

This photo of a cat with ringworm shows the more typical location of the hairless spots.

The diagnosis of a ringworm infection would be accomplished by your veterinarian as part of the examination. There are 3 main tests for determining if ringworm is the culprit behind the skin problem of your dog or cat. The first of these is called a Wood’s lamp, which is a type of ultraviolet light also known as a black light. About 50% of ringworm infections will give off a fluorescent yellowish-green glow when illuminated by the Wood’s lamp and that would be indicative of a ringworm infection. However, the other 50% of ringworm infections will not cause this glow. The second test involves mixing a sample of the broken and surrounding hairs with a chemical and examining the preparation with a microscope in search of actual fungal elements. Again, this method doesn’t always produce diagnostic results. The most reliable and accurate test involves culturing some of the scales, crust, and hairs from one of the spots in a special culture medium that turns red when a ringworm infection is present. This test takes a few to several days to complete, so the results aren’t known for a while. The positive result is on the right:

Veterinarians can perform all of these tests in the office.

As far as treatment is concerned, most of the smaller lesions on healthy animals will heal on their own within 2-4 months. The only problem with this wait-and-see approach is that there is the concern of the fungal infection being contagious to other pets or the humans in the household. The resolution of these infections can be sped up by certain treatments. Your veterinarian has several types of medications available for consideration, depending on many factors. Since most dogs and cats are healthy enough to never get infected with ringworm, an infected pet needs to be evaluated for any other possible health complications before treatment is begun. There are several types of rinse and shampoos available, although their overall effectiveness has never been confirmed. There are also a few creams which do provide effective treatment for individual lesions. For the truly chronic or severe cases, your pet might require some of the systemic medications, which are usually given orally. These also have the additional concern of certain side effects which your veterinarian would have to discuss with you.

Every pet owner should be aware of the signs, possibility of transmission, and treatment of ringworm in their dog and/or cat.

NON-MEDICAL CONCERNS

There has been a lot of news coverage of the terrible aftermath of the earthquake in Haiti and many of the rescue stories are heartbreaking. One small, but very important, aspect of the rescue effort has been the canine search-and-rescue teams. This is a summary of those efforts presented by Matthew Margolis, who, among other endeavors, reports on dog stories for NPR.

Dog Talk with Uncle Matty: Fide Canem
By Matthew “Uncle Matty” Margolis

Fide canem: the creed of canine search-and-rescue organizations. These two words often adorn their logos or sit high atop their websites. Reassuring words. They are Latin for “trust the dog.”

“Trust the dog” is the first rule new SAR dog handlers learn. That rule has paid handsomely in Haiti, where SAR teams have been responsible for a record number of saved lives. Debra Tosch, executive director of the Search Dog Foundation, told the Los Angeles Daily News, “When you go on a mission like this hoping to get one rescue, one find, the fact that they’re having multiple rescues is just amazing.”

SDF is a nonprofit organization whose mission is “to strengthen disaster response in America by recruiting rescued dogs and partnering them with firefighters and other first responders to find people buried alive in the wreckage of disasters.”

Since Jan. 12, when a monumental earthquake shook the Western hemisphere’s poorest country to its core, at least 175 SAR dogs and their handlers have arrived on the scene to do their part. Dogs from the Netherlands and China. From Ireland and France. From the United States, Britain and Canada. Mexico, Peru and Taiwan. Dogs from Spain, Iceland, Germany and Venezuela.

What makes these dogs so invaluable?

In the context of a calamity like quake-ravaged Haiti, one certified SAR dog is the equivalent of 40 human beings trained in disaster relief. A certified SAR team — one dog, one handler — can accomplish more in these circumstances in 10 minutes than a single person could in several hours.

How do they do it?

By the divine light of their natural-born gifts, in part. Dogs possess night-vision without the funny goggles. Their ears pick up more sound frequencies than ours, and their bodies are more agile. They are smaller, lighter and fearless under conditions that would reduce most of us to nightmares.

The reason behind the credo, though, is that famous canine sniffer. While a person has about 5 million olfactory sensory cells, a dog can have up to 220 million. Canines perceive certain smells in the range of one part in 10 quadrillion. And one-third of a dog’s brain is devoted to olfaction, meaning he is “scent smart.” According to Gary Settles, professor of mechanical engineering at Penn State University, who studied the canine olfactory system for the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, “They use scent the way we read the newspaper.”

To put that in normal domestic dog terms, that’s how your dog can mark the same spot on the carpet repeatedly, no matter how much perfumed cleanser you drown it in. But for bomb-sniffing dogs, cadaver-sniffing dogs or search-and-rescue dogs, this heightened sensitivity becomes the stuff of superheroes. And it is why SAR canine handlers are taught, above all: Fide canem.

Specialized training with an expert handler turns a dog’s unique gifts into a lifesaving skillset. Tosch said of the SAR teams’ role in Haiti, “All SDF handlers are experts in reading their canines” The canines are literally the Task Force’s most precious tool in the hunt for survivors: Their well-being is mission-critical.”

And that well-being is ensured. SDF repays their debt of gratitude to these distinguished dogs by guaranteeing a cushy retirement. Not that these hardworking canines seem overly concerned with their benefits plan.

Terry Trepanier, a lieutenant with the Washington Twp. Fire Department, and his golden retriever, Woody, spent 10 days at Ground Zero after September 11. “To know what they’ve been through and to see how they performed makes you proud. And they never complain,” said Trepanier. “They just wag their tails and say, ‘Let’s go.’”

These remarkable dogs are a part of our lives. We pass them in airports, cruise by them at border crossings and sail past them at our nation’s ports. We read about them when children go missing or when a victim of Alzheimer’s disappears. More than eight years ago, we all sat riveted as they reported for duty when the Twin Towers crumbled in New York City. And today, we stand by as they respond to the cry for help in Haiti.

Next time you encounter one, be sure to issue a much-deserved scratch behind the ears.

To find out more about SDF’s SAR dogs or to make a donation, visit searchdogfoundation.org. Or google “search and rescue dogs” to extend your research to other similarly worthy organizations.

PRODUCTS OF THE WEEK

1) For those dog owners striving to find the ultimate indestructible dog toys, here is a list of 5 promising products: http://www.pawnation.com/2010/01/25/indestructible-dog-toys/

The “Kong” might be a good place to start!

2) “Calming Collars” makes this claim: The beauty of our products is not only that they work, but that they work using NATURAL methods. You just clip our collars on your pet and let the herbal blends work naturally to calm your pet. Stress relief is just minutes away for your loved one. Reduce dog anxiety and or cat stress! Check out their products at: http://www.calmingcollars.com/

GENERAL INTEREST

1) The American Kennel Club has released their list of the Top 10 dogs of the year for 2009, according to the number of registrations. And you guessed it, the top dog breed for 2009 is: The Golden Retriever…for the 19th year in a row!!! The rest of the Top 10 are:

• 1. Labrador Retriever



• 2. German Shepherd Dog



• 3. Yorkshire Terrier



• 4. Golden Retriever



• 5. Beagle



• 6. Boxer



• 7. Bulldog



• 8. Dachshund



• 9. Poodle



• 10. Shih Tzu

The AKC web site has all the descriptive information about these breeds and some interesting history at: http://www.akc.org/news/index.cfm?article_id=4044

2) According to an American Hotel & Lodging Association survey of 8,000 hotels in the U.S., 60% welcome pets. Here’s a roundup of ten of the most easily found pet-friendly hotels in America, including points of interest for each of the ten: http://www.pawnation.com/2010/01/20/best-pet-friendly-hotels/

On a similar note, here are some resources to get you started on a successful search for an animal-friendly apartment. If an organization is listed but no website link is provided, call them for help finding animal-friendly housing in that area. This information is brought to you by the Humane Society of the United States: http://www.humanesociety.org/animals/resources/tips/animal_friendly_apartments.html

3) Dog parks are an incredible resource for dog owners and animal lovers. For city dwellers, dog parks provide a rare space where dogs can run free. Even suburban and country dogs love dog parks for the ever-so-important socialization opportunities that they provide. New dog owners, long-time dog owners, and dog owners’ associations find dog parks to be an oasis in which to commune. Many even hold events at these parks, adding to their fun. This article reviews the best dog parks in the USA’s biggest cities: http://www.pawnation.com/2010/01/27/5-paw-dog-parks-the-best-dog-parks-in-the-nations-biggest-citi/

4) Several months ago, Questions On Dogs and Cats ran a story about Tama, a cat in the Japanese town of Kishi, that had been appointed as stationmaster of the local electric railway. Now, Tama has been appointed as a corporate executive of the company. Read about this special cat at: http://www.pawnation.com/2010/01/19/first-ever-cat-corporate-executive-named-in-japan/

5) Not only do the Japanese honor their cats in unusual ways, but they also apparently make TV commercials using the cutest cats in the world. Watch the very short video at this web site and tell me this isn’t the cutest cat you’ve ever seen: http://www.pawnation.com/2010/01/29/japanese-commercial-features-cutest-cat-ever/

SPORTS NEWS

The Ohio State University Buckeyes men’s basketball team has established their position in the Top 25 rankings.

PERSONAL STUFF

My Dad celebrated his 88th birthday this past week and Desperado has one coming up very soon…her ??th (which we’ll celebrate either at the Grand Canyon or in Sedona)…everyone’s getting older…except for Helpful Buckeye!

~~The goal of this blog is to provide general information and advice to help you be a better pet owner and to have a more rewarding relationship with your pet. This blog does not intend to replace the professional one-on-one care your pet receives from a practicing veterinarian. When in doubt about your pet’s health, always visit a veterinarian.~~

A Common Skin Disease Found In Dogs And Cats » Pause for Paws

Ringworm in Pet Dogs and Cats

If your dogs or cat has developed patches in its fur and seems to be scratching or biting at its skin, it may be suffering from ringworm. But, in many instances, you may discover that your pet is suffering from this condition because small, round red patches have started to appear on your skin or the skin of another person that lives in your house.

Ringworm is highly transferable from animals to humans and humans can only get rid of the condition completely once they have completely treated the pet that infected them. The house will need to be treated as well as ringworm spreads fast and clothing, furniture and bedding are all likely contaminated.

One of the first things it is necessary to understand about ringworm is that, despite the name, the condition is not caused by a worm or a parasite. Ringworm is instead caused by a fungus called Dermatophytosis.

There are three types of fungi which can cause ringworm. These include:

Microsporum canis–this type of fungi is almost always seen in cats-especially long haired cats.
Microsporum gypseum–this type is usually found on dogs and cats that dig in contaminated soil.
Trichophyton mentagrophytes–this type of fungi is seen on dogs and cats that are around rodents or the burrows in which rodents live.
There are several options for treating ringworm in pets including:

Topical anti-fungal shampoos–this is the most common type of treatment
Anti-fungal creams–these are usually only prescribed if the pet has large areas of baldness.
Oral anti-fungal medications–this medication is typically only given out in very severe ringworm cases as they have a number of serious side effects.
It is important to treat ringworm outbreaks fast as they will become increasingly difficult to eliminate with time.

To find out more about ringworm in dogs and cats, visit the website of your Austin vet clinic today.

James Witherspoon

Ringworm | Cats Information

Image : http://www.flickr.com

Ringworm in cats is caused by various fungal organisms. Since cats do not need a year younger than the full development of the immune system, are often the most affected. Longhaired cats have more problems with ringworm. The condition is very contagious, because cats, dogs can to others, too.

Forms

As I said before, is caused by various fungi ringworm cat. These include Microsporum canis,Microsporum gypsum and Trichophyton. Most cats are affected by Microsporum Canis. So what some of the symptoms, you should try, right?

Symptoms

This fungus lives in the hair follicles of your cat. This weakens the waves, causes hair to fall. With the progression of the disease will develop hair loss usually circular spots on the head and limbs. Your cat can also dry, scaly skin, with greatitching.

Diagnosis

There are several methods that your veterinarian can diagnose this disease. The easiest way is to use a UV lamp. If this lamp is exposed to light every green fluorescent fungus. Another way to diagnose ringworm cats to remove a lock of hair in the vessel and the laboratory. The sample will sit for a while ‘to see if fungus grows.

Treatment

If left untreated, your cat probablyElimination of the condition in two four months ago. However, as I said, the disease is very contagious and can be transferred to you and other animals. So you better treat quickly.

One of the most important methods for the treatment of ringworm cat shampoo with sulfur, lime. The condition can be treated with anti-fungal. If your cat has long hair, you should clip so that the scheme is effective. If you have more than one cat, you should be preventionMeasures and treat them well.

RINGWORMS IN DOGS & CATS JUST LIKE PEOPLE

RINGWORMS IN DOGS & CATS:

Ringworm (Dermatophytosis)  is a fungal infection that affect the hair follicles and skin. Ringworm  in dogs is a primarily a disease in puppies and young adults. The typical area of infection are the face, ears, paws and tail. Humans can catch ringworm from pets and vice versa. Childrens are most susceptible due to the close contact with the infective pet while playing with them.

Ringworm takes its name from it’s appearance, a spreading circle of hair loss with scaly skin at the center and a red ring at the periphery. Ringworm by itself is not an itchy skin condition, but secondary bacterial infection with scabs and crusts can provoke licking and scratching.

DIAGNOSIS:

Ringworm mimics many other skin diseases, so an accurate diagnosis is essential. Hair infected with the ringworm fungal (Microsporum canis)  may fluoresce green under an ultraviolet light but false positive and false negative results are common. Microcopic examination of hairs plucked from the area that fluoresce can sometimes provide an immediate diagnosis, but the most reliable method of diagnosing ringworm is by fungal culture.

TREATMENT:

Ringworm infections usually clear without treatment, but medicated shampoos might speed recovery in some cases. To avoid ringworm infection in yourself and members of your family, you will need to clean all grooming tools and play toys that can be wipe off with one part of bleach to ten parts water. The pet,s bedding and washable toys needs to be machine washed in hot or warm water. There is a vaccine for cats for ringworm but nothing for dogs at is time.

Quote of the day:

Do not let what you cannot do interfere with what you can do.

John Wooden

Cats and Ringworm - What You Don"t Know CAN Hurt You

While cats can be afflicted by several types of worms, ringworm in fact is a fungal infection, not a worm. Ringworm is a fungus that can affect cats, dogs, and humans. While there are several 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 be know how to identify and treat ringworm, and should be aware how it is transmitted.

How Do Cats Contract Ringworm?

While the ringworm fungus thrives in hot, humid climates, it most often manifests itself on our pets in the cooler months of autumn and winter. Ringworm is contracted by cats through contact with infected animals, including dogs, rats, mice, and other cats, or from the bedding or sleeping quarters of another pet. Also, fungal spores can be shed into the environment, where they can be picked up by a cat who spends time outdoors. Cats can also be asymptomatic carriers of the fungus, not showing any signs of infection themselves, but able to transmit the fungus to other animals.

What Are the Symptoms of Ringworm?

Ringworm can be identified by the presence of lesions, which may vary in appearance, but the most common manifestation is a small circular hairless lesion, often with scaly skin in the middle that may be inflamed and sensitive. These lesions can most often be found on the tail, head and ears. Ringworm can also appear as a more general skin disease, or may be the cause of chronic ear infections.

How is Ringworm Diagnosed?

While there are various methods used to identify ringworm, the only sure way to make this diagnosis is to perform a culture of the infected area. This is a fairly routine test that your veterinarian can perform for you.

Can Ringworm Be Prevented?

The best ways to prevent ringworm are:

1. Provide your cat with a healthy diet and caring living environment

2. Limit exposure

Cats whose immune systems have been weakened either by illness, age, or poor diet are much more susceptible to contracting ringworm. Young kittens are also more at risk until their immune systems become stronger. Because the risks of infection are higher outdoors, where there may be infected animals or live spores in the grass and soil, it would be wise to keep kittens, old cat, and sick cats indoors as much as possible. You can reduce your cat’s susceptibility to ringworm by feeding it a nutritionally-sound, healthy diet. Also, any new animal introduced into your household should first be tested for ringworm.

What is the Treatment for Ringworm?

Mild cases of ringworm may go away on their own, so long as your cat is otherwise healthy. Ringworm can also be treated topically with antifungal medication; in this case, the hair around the lesion should be clipped short, and the clipping instruments then sterilized. There are also oral and injectable ringworm treatments. Because ringworm spores can survive for a long time without a host – up to about eighteen months, cleanliness and good hygiene should be an integral part of your plan.

While you are treating your cat for ringworm your cat’s bedding should be laundered regularly. Wash and dry these fabrics at high temperatures, as the heat will kill the fungus, Hard surfaces in the house should be cleaned with a mild bleach solution. Vacuum carpets and upholstery frequently to pick up the fungal spores. Be sure to wear gloves when handling your cat and its bedding, and try to keep the kids away from the cat.

All pets in the household should be tested, even they do not show 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 in the house.

Can Ringworm be Transmitted to People?

Unfortunately, yes. You and your children are susceptible to contracting ringworm from your pets. Children are at higher risk than adults. Prevention through good hygiene practices and proper nutrition for your pet is the best approach, but diagnosis and timely treatment for any infected pets will minimize the risk of your contracting ringworm from your cat.

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.