A fungal infection, which has come to be known as ringworm, can spread to the hair of pets. Pathology affects the skin, coat and claws of the animal. Several types of fungi lead to infection. The most common are Microsporum Canis and Trichophyton. The diagnosis may also be different - microsporia or trichophytosis in cats. However, the treatment will be the same in both cases. The concept of ringworm is generalized and is not applied in official documentation.
Disease development
Microsporia in cats affects the body of the hair, causing its fragility. As a result, the wool breaks off at the same level and the effect of sheared grass is obtained. As a result of this, the disease got its name.
In cats under the age of one year, this pathology is very common. This fact is explained by the lack of immunity, survivability of spores and extreme contagiousness.
Microsporia in cats is most often manifested by the formation of alopecia. As a result, round bald patches appear on the surface of the body, where the skin is covered with scales. The problem is that the infected places itch a lot, give the cat great discomfort, so the animal constantly combes them, which contributes to the attachment of a secondary infection.
Risk of infection
Microsporia in cats can lead to human infection. Young children, older people are at greater risk. Therefore, if a lichen is suspected, it is worth protecting the animal from strangers, and a person caring for a cat should follow all safety precautions.
When handling your pet, wear protective gloves. All animal habitats must be disinfected. If there are still animals in the house, then veterinarians recommend vaccinating them. However, not all experts consider the injection effective, but still the benefits of vaccination are greater than the harm.
Symptoms of the disease
Microsporia in cats is quite specific. Symptoms can be felt in different ways, depending on the degree of damage, the state of immunity of the animal and its age.
The classic manifestation of lichen is a small spot of a round shape. At the site of the lesion, the hair breaks off, and the skin peels off. Along the perimeter, you can find small pustules.
It should be understood that the disease manifests itself in the form of a small spot and constant itching. But as the disease progresses, the symptoms worsen. There are more and more damage zones, gradually they can merge into a single whole.
Microsporia in cats most often develops in the area of the head, ears and tail. However, there may be signs of infection elsewhere.
If spores strongly attack a weakened cat's body, then a generalized form of the disease may develop. Visually, it looks like a constant molt of an animal. Moreover, the skin can no longer recover. Then abscesses with zones of hemorrhage are formed.
Treatment methods
Great discomfort is caused by microsporia in cats. Treatment involves the use of antifungal ointments, shampoos and taking pills to strengthen immunity. However, it is worth considering that the spores that cause ringworm are very resistant to drug treatment. Therefore, it is important to fully complete the prescribed course and prevent relapse.
The owner of the cat must always contact the veterinary clinic for an accurate diagnosis. Only after examinations, medicines can be recommended, which are divided into groups:
- Preparations for external use. Available in the form of ointments, creams or sprays. To make them work more efficiently, you must first shave the animal. It is also worth considering that antifungal ointments are toxic, and to prevent licking, you need to wear a special collar on the cat.
- Tablets. They can be prescribed when the affected area is extensive, or if external drugs can not cope with the problem.
- Immunomodulators. Treatment of ringworm requires the use of immunostimulating agents and a vitamin-mineral complex.
In complicated cases, you may need to take antibiotics.
The use of antifungal ointments
A very unpleasant appearance of the animal is confirmed by photos of microsporia in cats. Treatment involves the use of antifungal ointments. They give a tangible effect, but it is necessary to use them according to the exact scheme proposed by the specialist. The most prescribed ointments are as follows:
- "Clotrimazole." It has a pronounced antifungal effect. It is necessary to treat the affected areas three times a day. The course of treatment is two weeks.
- Mycozone. Completely exterminates pathological spores and acts on the secondary microflora. Treatment involves prolonged use. Apply the ointment twice a day. The course is calculated by the veterinarian based on the degree of exposure.
- "YM". Ointment with antiseptic effect. Thanks to the astringent texture softens the crust and significantly reduces itching. The drug must be applied only a week. After a course of treatment, a healthy coat begins to grow at the site of the lesion.
Often before treatment with ointments, veterinarians recommend preparing the skin. For this, special solutions are used.
Antimycotic drugs
To prevent the development of inflammation, it is recommended to use special solutions to prepare the skin for applying antifungal ointments. Among the most popular and effective include:
- "Fungin." It is necessary to apply to combed and inflamed foci twice a day. The course of treatment is two weeks.
- "Exoderyl." Naphthyzine acts as an active substance. It is necessary to apply to the lesion with spores, capturing about 1 cm of a healthy area. Use only once a day, but the course of treatment should last a month.
- "Imaverol." Antimycotic solution supplied in the form of an emulsion. For use, it is necessary to prepare a new portion each time. Before use, the animal must be bathed with an antifungal shampoo. Further, every four days, the cat's hair is treated by spraying.
- Thermicon. The drug is available in the form of a spray. Before treatment, the affected areas must be dried. Use the spray twice a day. The course is from one to two weeks.
It must be remembered that sprays are highly toxic. Therefore, their use is prohibited in pregnant and lactating animals. However, Imaverol has no such contraindications.
The rationale for taking pills
The veterinarian should recommend how to treat microsporia in cats. In the case when the above solutions and ointments do not help or the affected area is extensive, the doctor prescribes special tablets. All oral antifungal pills have a number of side effects. Therefore, they are contraindicated in pregnant and lactating cats. The most popular tablets are:
- "Griseofulvin." The tool has a cumulative effect. It has a good effect, but the reception should last for a month. The usual dose for an adult cat is a quarter of a pill.
- “Irunin” and “Ketaconazole”. Powerful antifungal drugs. They have pronounced antimycotic properties.
- "Flucanazole." A potent drug. It can only be prescribed by a doctor, because it has very pronounced side effects. Recommended for a large spread of bacteria and the attachment of a secondary infection.
Vaccination
Quite often there is microsporia in cats. The photo shows how unpleasant the disease looks. The doctor may recommend vaccination as a treatment and prevention. Despite the fact that not all experts consider this technique effective, an injection is still able to protect the pet from the rapid multiplication of the fungus.
The most famous antifungal vaccines are Polivak TM and Microderm. The instruction says that the drugs not only have a preventive effect, but also have an effective therapeutic effect.
However, any veterinarian will not give a 100% guarantee that the vaccine will protect your pet from infection. Also known is the fact that such a method is not used in European countries.
Conclusion
Microsporia and trichophytosis is the official name for ringworm caused by different types of pathogenic microorganisms. The disease is quite unpleasant, causes discomfort in the cat and can be transmitted to humans. However, the pathology is well studied by veterinarians. Specialists have developed a treatment tactic, and if you follow all the advice of a doctor, then the disease can be managed without consequences.