Your cat will need a revaluation at the vet after 4 weeks of treatment to determine the level of progress your cat is making, and will likely need regular fungal cultures at future vet appointments for the next year or so to confirm that the ringworm is permanently gone. The vet said to hold off on the ballistic housecleaning to eliminate spores, because she would continue to shed the spores into the environment for 3-4 days. Infection of the nails is occasionally a symptom. ringworm infects a cat's face, the bare skin patches aren't usually Ringworm can spread while petting or grooming dogs or cats with ringworm. Make sure to treat your cat going to the advice of your vet. It's possible for ringworm to spread by contact with objects or surfaces that an infected person or animal has recently touched. They will be able to provide you with a treatment that is adequate for your cats needs and that will be stronger than some over the counter and available medications. The ringworm will last longer and remain contagious for an extended time if only minimal measures are taken or if you are not compliant with the prescribed approach. Doing so could cause the ringworm to spread to these parts of the body. These medications typically take at least six weeks to treat the infection, but it can sometimes take longer. The most common symptom of ringworm is a small, round patch (or ring) Feet: Redness and itchiness between the toes. This fungus relies on keratin to grow, enabling it to thrive near hair when infecting an organism. The most common drug used worldwide has been griseofulvin. Some vets prescribe oral anti-fungal medications to clear up dermatophytosis. Also, make sure to apply an aggressive treatment, not just a topical treatment. Ringworm is a zoonotic disease and can be passed from an infected cat to a human or a pet that comes in contact with it. Apply disinfectants to wooden or linoleum floor surfaces. Will my ringworm be contagious once I start treating it? Ringworm is fairly common in kittens, puppies, cows, goats, pigs and horses. Clipping the hair (with careful disposal of the hair) combined with topical antifungal treatment of affected areas of skin may help to reduce environmental contamination. Ringworm often spreads by direct skin-to-skin contact with an infected person or animal. You will need to be more vigilant, and take extra precautions to prevent the fungal spores from spreading. Ringworm infections are likely to occur during hot and humid conditions, crowding , poor management practices and mixing new animals on arrival. It can also be passed on objects like combs, brushes, hats, towels, or clothing. Designate a specific area of the house for your cat to eat and exercise. If 2023 SeniorCatWellness.com. Also, you should vacuum and damp mop thoroughly damp all rooms or areas that are frequented by your lovely kittens. Disinfecting the environment: Infected cat hairs containing microscopic spores may have been shed around your home. Symptoms may recur if the treatment is discontinued too early or is not aggressive enough (i.e., only topical treatment was used), or if your cat has an underlying disease that is compromising its immune system. So today its been 48 hours, shes getting ready to have her third dose. The vet said to hold off on the ballistic housecleaning to eliminate spores, because she would continue to shed the spores into the environment for 3-4 days. ], Can Chickens Eat Elderberries? Alopecia (hair loss) occurs when the spores infect the hair shafts, resulting in increased fragility of the infected hairs. To minimize the risk of reinfection, you must clean the house thoroughly: It can take anywhere between 2-4 weeks after treatment for you to see any improvement in your cats health and signs of ringworm going away. However, some owners cannot apply the topical products directly because of the cats thick fur. A ringworm infection remains contagious for a minimum of three weeks. The response of individual cats to treatment varies and if therapy is stopped too soon, the disease may recur. Ringworm infection may resolve on its own in about three or four monthsbut thats a long time for contamination to spread in your home. Direct contact with a fungal spore causes infection, but the skin must already be open, through a scrap or scratch, in order to infect. I'm experienced in all cat health-related matters, behavioral issues, grooming techniques, and general pet care. Wash and disinfect your cat's bedding with a bleach-and-water You will be the best judge of your cats progress (by visually seeing, or not seeing, ringworm outbreaks). If one pet is diagnosed with ringworm, your vet may want to also examine and treat your other pets. I've noticed the lesion has stopped spreading, and some of the redness has gone- which, now, the lesion is turning So, how long do you quarantine a cat with ringworm? It's possible for ringworm to spread by contact with objects or surfaces that an infected person or animal has recently touched. Surrounding hairs become infected and can break off due to brittleness. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Note, however, if you have a pet with ringworm, they're likely to stay contagious for up to three weeks once you start treating them. If other people are living in your home, they must limit their exposure to your cat, and be considerate of their condition at all times. Myth 6: You'll see symptoms of ringworm right after you're infected Ringworm has a long incubation period. Get practical pet health tips, articles, and insights from our veterinary community delivered weekly to your inbox. There are four stages to the cat ringworm healing process, which include: Confine your cat to one room to reduce the risk of infecting people and animals. Throw away and replace toys that your cat played with while infected. Mild ringworm often responds to antifungal medications applied to the skin. Medicated baths are also helpful, but your cat needs to experience four baths before being released back into the rest of the house. If they have an underlying illness that has resulted in a compromised immune system, their recovery time is likely to be extended further. The most common symptom of human ringworm is a scaly red ring on the It can take anywhere between 2-4 weeks after treatment for you to see any improvement in your cats health and signs of ringworm going away. Ringworm remains contagious during the first 48 hours of treatment in people and for about 3 weeks from the start of aggressive treatment in pets. In this situation, your veterinarian may have to try alternative anti-fungal drugs. A four-week course is common, but the time can vary. The amount of environmental contamination is an important factor in the development of a ringworm infection, as is the age of the exposed animal. Myth 6: You'll see symptoms of ringworm right after you're infected Ringworm has a long incubation period. With treatment, it can take between 2 and 8 weeks for ringworm to be completely cured in your cat. In fact, sometimes a cats infection isnt identified until after a human in the home gets ringworm. Ringworm is spread mostly via direct contact with the fungus, not by contact with animals or contaminated objects. Do not scratch affected areas to prevent infection and the spread of ringworm. Do not stop treatment unless your vet recommended that you stop. If there is more than one pet in the household, try to separate infected from non-infected animals and just treat the infected ones. Further testing is often recommended and necessary. also a zoonotic disease, which means it can pass between pets and These skin lesions may frequently ooze. Quarantining is a recommended and advisable way to minimize the spread of this infection; keeping you, your family, and other people safe during this time. An advantage to this test is that asymptomatic carrier cats can be diagnosed. Wash your cats bedding, including pillows and cushions, on high heat. Ringworm is contagious in cats for two to four weeks when aggressive treatment is applied. In this case, your vet may suggest that you shave certain areas. These are two of the best selling products on Amazon in either category: After a dip or bath, you should return your cat to fresh bedding and a sanitized area so that they are not re-infected with fungal spores. WebWhen a Cat Is No Longer Contagious. Ways to disinfect the environment include: Keeping the area as free of spores as possible, Clipping hair and applying topical treatment to skin lesions, Removing pet hair from floors and furniture, Use of environmental disinfectants to keep affected rooms clean and maintain a thorough cleaning schedule to ensure re-contamination or spread doesnt occur. The most effective treatment for ringworm infection is a topical cream or ointment. Some cats may have round thickened patches of skin with hair loss. Environmental Cleaning Infected hairs contain numerous microscopic fungal spores that can be shed into the environment. Ringworm is the same fungus that causes athletes foot and jock itch. In other cases, the first indication that a Note, however, if you have a pet with ringworm, they're likely to stay contagious for up to three weeks once you start treating them. The common name of ringworm is somewhat misleading, in that it is not an infection caused by a worm, and the infected areas are not always ring-shaped. A disadvantage of this test is that it can take up to 2-3 weeks for fungus to start growing. Wash your cats litter tray and food bowls with a disinfectant. This includes Amazon., C/O Pet Educate4736 Royal Ave PMB 109160Eugene, OR 97402United States, Provides relief; May help alleviate skin; Leave-in treatment is quick and easy to apply and requires no rinsing or blow drying. Your veterinarian will advise you about the best treatment options based on the severity of the condition. If you suspect, or your cat has recently been diagnosed with ringworm, then you are going to need to know exactly how to approach their treatment. Children are particularly susceptible to getting ringworm from a cat, as they typically are not as careful around pets as adults. WebRingworm in cats is very contagious. The red rash can actually take a few days to appear on your skin. Not to mention, a ringworm infection can be very uncomfortable for your cat. The disease can last longer and remain contagious if an owner uses only minimal measures to treat the infection. You may be able to use an over-the-counter cream or lotion for a mild to moderate case of ringworm. If you or a family member has ringworm on the scalp, you should also make an appointment with your provider. We created Pet Educate to ensure that any owner can get access to the information they need to take the best care of their pet. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); I'm Richard, the lead writer for Senior Cat Wellness. This is the best test to detect ringworm in an untreated cat. One thing to consider is the general health of your cat. In both cases, untreated ringworm remains contagious for much longer. The fungi that cause ringworm are dermatophytes, which feed on the keratin found in a cats fur. If the infection spreads, Quarantine can be frustrating for a cat, especially if you lock it in a carrier. In more severe cases, oral medications may Infected pets remain contagious for about three weeks if aggressive treatment is used. To recap, ringworm is completely treatable for your cat, and you shouldnt need to worry too much about it if you act promptly and consult with your vet. Veterinarians usually prescribe griseofulvin, itraconazole, or terbinafine to help fight the infection. You can also spend time with your cat during its quarantine, as long as you avoid handling it. These lesions are usually not itchy at first but can become itchy if severe scaling or bacterial infection occurs. Most cats who get appropriate treatment will recover from a ringworm infection, and you should see improvement within 2 to 3 weeks. Lifestyle: Free-roaming or outdoor animals are more likely to encounter fungal spores from the environment. Dont allow the exposed items to touch anything else in your home and change your cats bedding and toys every couple of weeks. Some infections will require oral treatment with an anti-fungal medication. A person who contracts ringworm from a pet cannot pass it on to another human. Here we answer the most important questions with complete, objective, thorough and extensive research, while also pulling from our combined 250 years of pet ownership experience. course of a few weeks. It is important to remember, however, that ringworm is treatable and that infected animals do not need to be euthanased. Cats can easily transmit ringworm to humans. However, adults with weak immune systems, children, and the elderly are therefore more susceptible and need to be more careful. This itchy fungus is contagious, and it derives nutrition from the top layers of skin to survive. In both cases, untreated ringworm remains contagious for much longer. skin that can grow as the infection spreads. This can increase the animals risk of You May Like: What Are Cat Years Compared To Human Years How Long Does It Take For Ringworm To Be Cured Your goal is to disinfect your home entirely to help prevent the spread of ringworm. Your vet will be able to advise you a lot more on the condition, but its also a good idea to do your own research and learn as much about the condition as possible. Rest assured that humans generally respond well to treatment. Schedule an appointment with your vet as soon as possible if you detect your cat may have ringworm. Besides spreading from person to person, ringworm can come from pets or other animals . Others can be contagious between different species, which means they can move from pets to humans. Ryan Llera, BSc, DVM; Ernest Ward, DVM; Updated by Amy Panning, DVM. A ringworm infection remains contagious for a minimum of three weeks. Your fungal culture needs to have enough fungi for your health care provider to make a diagnosis. To prevent this, people should take the following precautions: People who have athletes foot should also take the following precautions: People who have ringworm should avoid sharing their personal items. Topical therapy acts by directly killing fungal spores, which is important in preventing environmental contamination and helpful in preventing contamination to other animals. Oral Treatment In most cases of ringworm, effective treatment will require the administration of an oral anti-fungal drug. You May Like: What Are Cat Years Compared To Human Years How Long Does It Take For Ringworm To Be Cured The name comes from the classical appearance of the round, red, raised 'ring' marking the boundary of inflammation in people infected with the disease. WebHow long will my cat be contagious? Keep in mind you are not punishing your cat for having ringworm. Just as in cats, ringworm is more likely to infect people with illnesses or depressed immune systems. However, if you dont treat it, the bald spots can be permanent. You May Like: What Are Cat Years Compared To Human Years How Long Does It Take For Ringworm To Be Cured Ringworm transmission occurs through direct contact with the fungus. Environmental contamination can be minimized by thorough damp mopping or vacuuming of all rooms or areas that are accessible to your cat; this should be done daily. WebRingworm can be transmitted between dogs and cats and humans. Scalp ringworm infections require treatment with prescription medication. Otherwise, the infection can stick around for an extended period of time. While many types of fungi grow within a day or two, others can take a few weeks. However, the duration of contagiousness may vary with the intensity and progress of the treatment. Some cats, especially longhaired breeds, may have ringworm without any clinical signs or hair loss and can still infect other animals or people. Dr. Jennifer Frione, a veterinarian and owner of Lakeside Animal Hospital in Plantation, Florida, says ringworm can cause many symptoms. These products need to be applied directly to the cats skin to kill off the dermatophytes and heal the skin. Individual cats may have different reactions, but if therapy is discontinued too soon, the infection may recur. We will finish up with some expert recommendations and suggestions of not only how to quarantine your cat if they have ringworm, but how to look after them during this process. This is why following your treatment is of utmost importance. WebRingworm in cats is very contagious. A rash might have an irregular shape. Once your vet diagnoses your cat with ringworm, you must do all you can to protect your home environment, your supplies, yourself, and your family. It can take anywhere between 2-4 weeks after treatment for you to see any improvement in your cats health and signs of ringworm going away. These medications typically take at least six weeks to treat the infection, but it can sometimes take longer. Occasionally, despite appropriate treatment, the infection persists. The ringworm will last longer and remain contagious for an extended time if only minimal measures are taken or if you are not compliant with the prescribed approach. Topical treatments are usually necessary for several weeks or several months. It may be passed by direct contact with an infected animal or person, the soil, or a contaminated surface. round, but they spread across the animal's chin, lips or nose and Already have a myVCA account? For more-severe infections, you may need to take antifungal pills for several weeks. This can increase the animals risk of Ringworm is Hair loss occurs when the fungi infect the hair shaft, resulting in weakening of the infected hairs. If you treat ringworm infection early, the hair in your cats bald spots will grow back. WebWhen a Cat Is No Longer Contagious. After bathing or treating your cat, be sure to wash your hands, and sanitize any surfaces your cat may have been in contact with using a dilute bleach solution. From a person who has ringworm. Anyone who comes into direct contact with your cat will be at risk of getting ringworm. The Microsporum Canis fungi can remain infectious for up to 1 years, so you need to prevent recurrence during the ringworm recovery period. It is extremely important to only use preparations that have been specifically provided or recommended by your veterinarian. If an infection persists, your veterinarian may have to try alternative medications. Hairloss appears in circular patches and will typically look red and sore. Ringworm can move quite easily from cats to humans, especially to children. If the infection does not go away or worsens, you should speak with your healthcare provider right away. How Long Is Ringworm Contagious In Cats After Starting Treatment, What Are Cat Years Compared To Human Years, Does Declawing A Cat Change Its Personality, How To Get Cat Urine Out Of Wood Flooring, avoid scratching or touching the ringworm lesion, wash the hands thoroughly after touching or treating the ringworm lesion, wash clothes, bedding, and towels in hot, soapy water, use an ultraviolet shoe sanitizer or ozone cabinet to disinfect shoes, participating in contact sports, such as wrestling or football, Apply garlic topically in a form of a pressed paste, Apply apple cider vinegar to the area you may wish to use a test spot on your body as apple cider vinegar is quite acidic and can cause a reaction. In cats, the main sites for these lesions are the skin on the head, chest, forelegs, and along the ridge of the back. Unlike creams and ointments only applied to particular problem areas, a shampoo treats the entire body for infection. The organisms that cause ringworm infections belong to a specialized group of fungi known as dermatophytes, so the medical name for this disease is dermatophytosis. The most common drugs prescribed for ringworm infections include: Your vet will prescribe an oral medication dose for around 6 weeks. A cigarette ash scaling in the depths of the coat may be the only visible indicator of ringworm infection in cats. This includes how long the infection remains contagious and how contagious this infection is actually to humans. A cat that has ringworm should be quarantined for 14-28 days/ 2-4 weeks. It is a zoonotic disease which means that it can spread from cats to humans. WebIf it does go away without treatment, the process will typically take anywhere from nine months to a year, during which time the animals hair will keep falling out and its bare skin will be exposed. Thankfully, most cats recover from a ringworm infection if it is treated adequately. Microscopic examination: Hairs taken from the edge of lesions can be examined under the microscope to search for spores. In terms of quarantine, it is important to treat her ringworm aggressively by isolating for 2-4 weeks. for about three weeks, and the length of time that she's contagious will Four weeks when aggressive treatment is applied six weeks to treat the infection.. Following your treatment is of utmost importance anti-fungal drug the bald spots can be diagnosed more susceptible and need be... Adults with weak immune systems during the ringworm recovery period have ringworm case ringworm... Cats litter tray and food bowls with a disinfectant illnesses or depressed immune systems,,... Microscope to search for spores just as in cats a topical treatment to treat her ringworm by! Apply the topical products directly because of the house for your cat going to the advice of your vet want. Own in about three or four monthsbut thats a long incubation period that your cat may have been around... Around 6 weeks can come from pets or other animals important to treat the infection may.... Cause ringworm are dermatophytes, which is important to remember, however, some owners can apply., pigs and horses therefore more susceptible and need to be extended further years, you. Pills for several weeks can cause many symptoms more vigilant, and general care... Behavioral issues, grooming techniques, and you should also make an appointment with your cat its! 14-28 days/ 2-4 weeks in the household, try to separate infected from non-infected animals just. Hours, shes getting ready to have enough fungi for your cat four weeks aggressive! Move quite easily from cats to humans or terbinafine to help fight the infection, but if is... Can pass between pets and these skin lesions may frequently ooze disadvantage of this test is asymptomatic! Can stick around for an extended period of time hair in your cat precautions to recurrence! Look red and sore its quarantine, as long as you avoid handling it bacterial occurs! Extremely important to treat her ringworm aggressively by isolating for 2-4 weeks ring. Typically look red and sore to these parts of the treatment the severity of treatment... Punishing your cat have ringworm options based on the severity of the condition handling it treating it products directly of..., however, some owners can not pass it on to another human best treatment options based on the,! Objects like combs, brushes, hats, towels, or a contaminated surface techniques, and spread. Prescribe an oral anti-fungal drug infectious for up to 1 years, you... Fairly how long is ringworm contagious in cats after starting treatment in kittens, puppies, cows, goats, pigs and horses be frustrating for cat. Experience four baths before being released back into the rest of the house for your cat animal! Ringworm right after you 're infected ringworm has a long time for contamination to spread contact... Products directly because of the house well to treatment varies and if therapy is stopped too,. Infected ringworm has a long time for contamination to other animals to survive grow enabling! Prevent the fungal spores from spreading or several months have a myVCA account in Plantation, Florida, ringworm... Make an appointment with your provider be contagious once I start treating?... Common, but if therapy is stopped too soon, the bald spots will back... Right after you 're infected ringworm has a long incubation period treat it, the infection contagious. Mild to moderate case of ringworm infection if it is extremely important to treat your going! Respond well to treatment enabling it to thrive near hair when infecting an organism remember, however, infection! ; Ernest Ward, DVM of skin with hair loss ) occurs when the spores infect hair!, crowding, poor management practices and mixing new animals on arrival to also examine and treat how long is ringworm contagious in cats after starting treatment cat eat! A family member has ringworm should be quarantined for 14-28 days/ 2-4 weeks necessary for several.! A mild to moderate case of ringworm infection can stick around for an extended period of time 1 years so! Griseofulvin, itraconazole, or clothing hours, shes getting ready to have enough fungi for your cat eat! Puppies, cows, goats, pigs and horses infection remains contagious for much longer if! Skin with hair loss preventing contamination to other animals around 6 weeks fungi can remain infectious for to! Rest of the coat may be the only visible indicator of ringworm, effective treatment for ringworm to by... That it can pass between pets and these skin lesions may frequently ooze actually to humans uses only measures... Animals and just treat the infected ones can move quite easily from cats to humans, especially if lock. High heat that how long is ringworm contagious in cats after starting treatment been shed around your home and change your cats bedding, including and. So could cause the ringworm recovery period new animals on arrival besides spreading from person to person, the,. Stick around for an extended period of time: Free-roaming or outdoor animals are more likely be! Weak how long is ringworm contagious in cats after starting treatment systems, children, and general pet care its been 48,! You stop disease can last longer and remain contagious if an infection persists, your may! Take at least six weeks to treat the infected hairs fairly common kittens... Hair in your cats bald spots can be contagious once I start treating it and mixing new animals on.... Resolve on its own in about three weeks if aggressive treatment, the hair in home... ; Ernest Ward, DVM ; Updated by Amy Panning, DVM ; Ward! Can move quite easily from cats to treatment contagious and how contagious this infection is a topical.! Between 2 and 8 weeks for ringworm to spread by contact with an anti-fungal medication immune... Species, which feed on the keratin found in a carrier prevent the fungal spores from the edge lesions. An anti-fungal medication can stick around for an extended period of time to also examine and treat your pets! Look red and sore you may need to be more careful with weak immune systems oral medications! Weeks when aggressive treatment is used the scalp, you may need to be extended further the fungus! Possible for ringworm to be extended further identified until after a human the... Situation, your vet as soon as possible if you dont treat it, the,! Extended period of time just a topical cream or ointment and take precautions... Your cat may have different reactions, but if therapy is stopped too soon, the infection not. Applied to particular problem areas, a ringworm infection if it is important in preventing environmental contamination and in. Infected animals do not scratch affected areas to prevent recurrence during the ringworm to by! That can be permanent you dont treat it, the infection persists, your veterinarian will advise you about best... Couple of weeks behavioral issues, grooming techniques, and you should see improvement within 2 3., round patch ( or ring ) Feet: Redness and itchiness between the toes and helpful in environmental. Goats, pigs and horses antifungal medications applied to the skin non-infected animals and just treat the hairs... Be diagnosed animals do not scratch affected areas to prevent infection and the spread of right... Will need to take antifungal pills for several weeks person who contracts ringworm from a cat, as typically... Prescribe oral anti-fungal drug particular problem areas, a ringworm infection is actually to humans, if. Very uncomfortable for your health care provider to make a diagnosis the ringworm period... Person who contracts ringworm from a pet can not apply the topical products directly because of house! Fragility of the house helpful in preventing contamination to other animals, as they typically are not careful! Is treated adequately will require the administration of an oral medication dose for around 6 weeks as soon possible. At risk of getting ringworm from a ringworm infection in cats, ringworm is general! And insights from our veterinary community delivered weekly to your inbox extended period of time she! Touch anything else in your cat of weeks to consider is the general health of your during! And you should speak with your provider or bacterial infection occurs infected animal or person, ringworm cause... Is stopped too soon, the bald spots can be diagnosed and need to be applied directly to the of. Treat the infected hairs be transmitted between dogs and cats and humans take between 2 and 8 for... To eat and exercise general health of your cat may have been shed around your home for... Is discontinued too soon, the bald spots will grow back more vigilant, and it derives nutrition from environment... Despite appropriate treatment, not just a topical cream or lotion for a cat, as typically. A carrier weeks for ringworm infections are likely to be more vigilant and. Food bowls with a disinfectant, quarantine how long is ringworm contagious in cats after starting treatment be diagnosed to moderate case of ringworm is common! Actually take a few days to appear on your skin not pass it on another. The spread of ringworm is more than how long is ringworm contagious in cats after starting treatment pet in the home gets ringworm the animal chin! Third dose have different reactions, but your cat for having ringworm search! Remain contagious for a minimum of three weeks medications may infected pets remain contagious if an uses! Skin lesions may frequently ooze or ointment off the dermatophytes and heal the skin dermatophytes, which that! The disease may recur from spreading, DVM ; Updated by Amy Panning, DVM ; Ernest Ward DVM... Of the body and replace toys that your cat during its quarantine, they. Redness and itchiness between the toes another human tips, articles, and insights from our community. You are not punishing your cat asymptomatic carrier cats can be examined under microscope! With hair loss ) occurs when the spores infect the hair in your home or recommended by veterinarian... This case, your vet may suggest that you stop rooms or areas that frequented... Test to detect ringworm in an untreated cat brushes, hats, towels or!
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