Ringworm Treatment for Cats

Ringworm treatment for cats can take care of itself if your cat is health and in cases where the infected area is small. In healthy cats the infection should not immediately return.

Kitten Ringworm Picture
Source: Washtington State University

Treatment of the ringworm can help to the healing process and is necessary in severe cases. It will also be necessary to seek treatment for any type of infection because cat ringworm can spread from cats to humans.

The oral medication Itraconazole is commonly prescribed for cat ringworm because it has fewer side effects then other options. Griseofulvin used to be the most common medication, but some cats don't react well to the medication including bone marrow problems and stomach upset.

Topical treatments which are applied directly to the skin are also available.

Your veterinarian will cut the hair surrounding the area to be treated. The area will be cleaned with either Betadine Solution or a natural cat skin cleanser such as Clenzor.

Topical treatments include Conofite , Nolvasan, Lotrimin and Tresaderm. Your veterinarian may also recommend a Triple Antibiotic Ointment. There is also a natural option which you can research and discuss with your veterinarian called Ring-Ex.

If the ringworm is in more than one area your veterinarian will probably recommend a lime sulfur dip such as Naturasil for Ringworm two times per week.

Length of Ringworm Treatment for Cats

For cats that are using a combination of oral medications (itraconazole) and a lime-sulfur dip, treatment will continue until two tests in a row show that the ringworm infection is gone. If other treatment options are used then 3 consecutive tests need to show that the ringworm infection is no longer there.

In most cases treatment lasts for 30 days.

Removing Cat Ringworm Fungus from Your Home

To ensure that you or your cat does get re-infected with cat ringworm you need to make sure that your home is thoroughly disinfected. Start with vacuuming the entire home which will pick up an skin flakes and hairs that contain fungus. You can also use a Swiffer Max Mop. Be sure not to touch any of the disposable cleaning pads with your hands. Also replace any air filters in your home heating or air conditioning system.

Note that if not cleaned fungus can live in the environment up to 4 years.

After vacuuming or mopping, disinfect any surfaces that your cat comes in contact with. The best option for cleaning is a strong disinfectant such as Naturasil for Ringworm which contains benzalkonium chloride, an ingredient proven in clinical studies to kill the fungus spores. Other options include a strong detergent or bleach mixed 1 part bleach to 10 parts water.

Wash any items such as bowls, collars, leashes and sleeping areas.

References:

Cat Owners Home Veterinary Handbook
Eldredge, Debra M. DVM
Carlson, Delbert G., DVM
Carlson, Liisa D., DVM
Giffin, James M. DVM

Feline Dermatophytosis: Screening, Diagnosis, Treatment, and Environmental Management
S. Newbury
Koret Shelter Medicine Program, Center for Companion Animal Health, University of California Davis, Davis, CA, USA.