Cat Paw Ringworm

Dermatophytosis is the medical term for a fungal infection affecting the skin hair and claws of cats the most common of which is ringworm.

Cat paw ringworm.

Most environments will have low numbers of dermatophytes particularly in soil but this becomes a problem if an infected animal whether that be a pet pest or native. Ringworm can be easily identified by a piece of scaly skin on the body that appears itchy and inflamed. If your cat shows signs of ringworm take it to your vet to for a proper diagnosis and treatment plan. It may cause circular lesions on a cat s head ears and forelimbs as well as any other part of the body.

Visiting a vet is the only way to ascertain the state of the cat s skin and deduce if it is ringworm infection. Immune compromised individuals such as the elderly and very young are more prone to contracting ringworm. Ringworm is transmitted by direct contact with an infected cat or dog s skin or hair. Spores are very resistant and can survive more than a year in the right conditions either indoors or outdoors.

Ringworm is highly contagious and can spread to other pets in the home as well as to people. To recognize and treat ringworm in cats start by looking for symptoms such as patches of hair loss and scaly patches on the face paws or ears. Ringworm can come directly from a cat or from the environment. Ringworm in cats is diagnosed largely in kittens and younger cats rather than in older adults.

Infected areas may look like the hair has been shaved or broken in a circular area with skin looking red and crusty. Learn more about symptoms causes and treatments of ringworm here. But cats tend to get ringworm more often than dogs do possibly because cats carry the spores for a longer time than dogs do and that enables the infection to take hold. Cats with ringworm can either naturally fight off the fungus the fungus can continue to live on the cat with no symptoms or the skin can become inflamed.

Children are more likely to become infected by ringworm from cats and dogs than adults. They can manifest behind the ears on the front or back paws and anywhere on the head. A ringworm infection in a person typically occurs after a person has pet an infected or carrier cat but it can also occur after simply handling items that were used by an infected cat. The symptoms can also indicate other underlying medical conditions that subject the cat to poor health.

Humans can catch ringworm by touching an infected cat or dog or other animal with ringworm. Ringworm is another type of fungus that affects cats especially if they are under age 1.