Ragdoll cats can be particularly prone to developing ringworm, as their thick fur provides a warm and moist environment that is perfect for the fungus to grow. There are a few things you can do to help prevent ringworm in your Ragdoll cat.
What Is Ringworm?
Ringworm is a skin infection that is caused by a fungus. Ringworm, or dermatophytosis, is a skin infection caused by a fungus. The fungus feeds on keratin which is a protein found in skin, hair and nails.
Ringworm is not a parasite. The disease gets its name from the circular, ring-like appearance seen on the skin. The classic symptom of ringworm is patches of hair loss which appear as circular scaly areas with raised edges. These symptoms are fairly easy to spot.
What Are The Signs And Symptoms Of Ringworm?
The most common signs and symptoms of ringworm in ragdoll cats include redness, thick crusty skin, and itchiness.
Dry, flaky skin is the most common initial symptom of Ringworm. Infection areas can usually be found on the face, head, ears, tail and paws. You may also see bald areas on the legs and around the eyes.
The symptoms of cat ringworm include hair loss (or broken hair) in circular or elliptical patterns, hair loss in irregular patterns, scaly, bumpy skin with redness or inflammation, and possibly deformed claws. Some cats may scratch the affected areas excessively while others may experience little to no hair loss.
If your cat has a compromised immune system, its symptoms may become more serious. These can include red, sore lesions that may become infected. If you notice these signs in your cat, it’s important to take them to the vet as soon as possible so they can be treated.
How Do Cats Get Ringworm?
M Canis is a type of fungus that is found in nearly all cases of ringworm in cats. This fungus can be spread through contact with objects, such as bedding, grooming brushes, clippers etc or other animals that are infected. It can also be spread through the air, from a sick cat to other cats.
If you have kittens or cats under one-year-old in your home, it is always important to take precautions. Kittens are more susceptible to ringworm, and if they go outside they can easily come into contact with a contaminated object or another cat that has the disease. Kittens take a long time to build their immune system up, so in the meantime, they are more likely to get common diseases such as ringworm.
How Is Ringworm Treated?
There is no vaccine available for ringworm in cats, but treatment can often be successful if it is caught early. Treatment options include topical treatments (such as over-the-counter products or prescription creams) and oral antibiotics. If the fungus is advanced or if the cat has a compromised immune system, systemic treatments may be required. The healing process can take up to six weeks or more.
If you have a cat that has ringworm, you should always be careful when handling the cat and wear gloves. Ringworm is a contagious disease, so it’s important to take care when interacting with your pet. If your Ragdoll cat does contract Ringworm you’ll need to do a deep clean of your home as the fungus can live up to two years in carpet fibers so the infection could reoccur after treatment. Find out how to rid your home of Ringworm.
Keep your ragdoll cat healthy by following the guidelines in this article. If your cat experiences any signs or symptoms of ringworm, make sure to seek out medical attention.
