Preventative measures to lower your risk of contracting ringworm infection are pretty simple. Most cats show signs of improvement and are no longer infectious around the 2- to 4-week mark, which is why most cat quarantines can be ended around this time. All cats can get ringworm, but long-haired cat breeds and senior cats are most likely to develop it. Within the first 48 hours of treatment, you will no longer be contagious and your symptoms may subside. This is important to know since ringworm can sometimes be passed from animals to humans. In terms of quarantine, it is important to treat her ringworm aggressively by isolating for 2-4 weeks. Treatment is typically continued until two consecutive negative ringworm cultures are obtained, usually 2 to 4 weeks apart. The infection can linger for 3-6 months or even longer. A positive culture can sometimes be confirmed within a couple of days, but in some cases, the fungal spores may be slow to grow, and culture results can take up to three weeks. This can increase the animals risk of It's a fungus that shows itself on an treatment plan. There are three main ways that ringworm can spread: 1. To do this, samples of hair and skin scrapings are taken from the cat. solution, and discard any chew toys or other cloth items that cannot be Some vets prescribe oral, anti-fungal medications in addition to topical treatments and medicated shampoos. coat appear greasy or scaly. Minimizing exposure to other dogs or cats and to your family members is recommended during this period. Ringworm is a fungal infection caused by the fungus, dermatophyte. WebRingworm can be transmitted between dogs and cats and humans. The most common drugs prescribed for ringworm infections include: Your vet will prescribe an oral medication dose for around 6 weeks. By 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. A disadvantage of this test is that not all ringworm lesions can be seen under the Woods light. The fungus cannot infect healthy, intact skin. Keeping your infected cat away from other animals, objects, surfaces, and family members is recommended during this time. Ringworm spreads rapidly. You May Like: How To Get Cat Urine Out Of Wood Flooring. If there is a more generalized disease, or if your cat is a longhaired breed, your veterinarian may recommend clipping all of your cats hair. I'm experienced in all cat health-related matters, behavioral issues, grooming techniques, and general pet care. Ringworm can go away on its own, but it may take 3-5 months. 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. Symptoms may reoccur if the treatment is discontinued early or is not aggressive enough, or if there is an underlying condition affecting your cats immune system. Object to human. Ringworm is fairly common in kittens, puppies, cows, goats, pigs and horses. Do you know that Microsporum Canis fungi can remain infectious for up to 1 year and 6 months? This species is also contagious to humans. Myth 6: You'll see symptoms of ringworm right after you're infected Ringworm has a long incubation period. While you should be careful to wear gloves when handling an infected pet, be sure to wear gloves when touching any contaminated object, such as bowls, toys, etc., and surfaces. The most accurate method for diagnosing ringworm in cats is by a culture of the fungus in a laboratory. Massage the liquid into your cats fur, use your bathtub or sink and wear gloves. So today its been 48 hours, shes getting ready to have her third dose. Topical Treatment Occasionally, topical therapy is used alone for the treatment of ringworm, but more commonly it is used in combination with oral medication. Products & Services Book: Mayo Clinic Family Health Book, 5th Edition Symptoms This can lead to distortion of the nails as they grow. This fungus relies on keratin to grow, enabling it to thrive near hair when infecting an organism. The disease can last longer and remain contagious if an owner uses only minimal measures to treat the infection. Direct contact with a fungal spore causes infection, but the skin must already be open, through a scrap or scratch, in order to infect. but not for long. tools to ensure the fungus isn't spread to other pets in your home. Because it checks only for fungal DNA and not for living fungus, a disadvantage is that its not helpful once treatment has started. Wash your cats litter tray and food bowls with a disinfectant. According to the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, this issue is mostly related to allergens. Commitment is the key to success in freeing your cat from ringworm. To aid the healing process, you can exfoliate your cats skin. The most common drug used worldwide has been griseofulvin. If you notice those circular patches in your cat, its more than likely ringworm, and your cat will need immediate veterinary attention. Ask your vet about using Vitamin E oil if you are unsure about it. Its important to remember that some cats can be asymptomatic carriers of this fungus and may shed ringworm spores into the environment even without obvious skin lesions. From a person who has ringworm. For more-severe infections, you may need to take antifungal pills for several weeks. Ringworm is commonly treated with antifungal topical creams. The fungal spores may remain dormant on combs, brushes, food bowls, furniture, bedding, carpet, or other environmental surfaces for up to 18 months. If humans or other pets come into contact with the fungus, they can get ringworm, too. Ringworm is infectious, and transmission can occur by direct contact with the fungus. It's possible for ringworm to spread by contact with objects or surfaces that an infected person or animal has recently touched. Cats with ringworm will be contagious for about 3 weeksif aggressive treatment is used. under the Wood's lamp. Keeping your infected cat away from other animals, objects, surfaces, and family members is recommended during this time. This same fungus is left as spores in the environment which is why environmental disinfection is so important. 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. 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. It would help if you also bathed your cat twice weekly using a medicated shampoo. Any breed, age, or gender of cat can get ringworm. people. The red rash can actually take a few days to appear on your skin. Although the fungus is dead and no longer harmful, the DNA is still present so the test will remain positive. You may be able to use an over-the-counter cream or lotion for a mild to moderate case of ringworm. Ringworm can spread while petting or grooming dogs or cats with ringworm. Ringworm can move quite easily from cats to humans, especially to children. Ringworm can spread while petting or grooming dogs or cats with ringworm. If From a person who has ringworm. Shaving the hair in small areas may be sufficient if only one or two areas are affected. Ringworm can be challenging to detect in cats since the lesions of ringworm may be very mild or even undetectable. At the same time, it is generally advised to continue treatment, such as giving your cat ringworm cultures, regularly following infection. A ringworm infection remains contagious for a minimum of three weeks. Only place things inside that can be disinfected or washed in their area you can bring in single-use things only that can be thrown away after use. Each of these oral medications help treat the most common type of ringworm in cats, Microsporum. Cats must be quarantined for 2-4 weeks during treatment. You can tell that your cat has recovered when the skin clears up. There are several tests that can be performed to help diagnoses ringworm in cats: Woods light: This is a fluorescent lamp. Will my ringworm be contagious once I start treating it? round, but they spread across the animal's chin, lips or nose and However, the ringworm fungus can remain infectious for up to 18 months in the environment and re-infection may occur. Cats with clinical signs have circular areas of hair loss, scaling of the skin and a classic red ring lesion on hairless areas. In both cases, untreated ringworm remains contagious for much longer. Its most common in animals, but it can also be spread to humans. Ringworm transmission occurs through direct contact with the fungus. Even before the onset of symptoms, ringworm can still be contagious during the incubation period. Yes, but not for long. Set up your myVCA account today. 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. Does my cat have to be isolated from everyone else? Infected pets remain contagious for about three weeks if aggressive treatment is used. Thats why its common in people who play contact sports such as wrestling. The infection can linger for 3-6 months or even longer. It can spread through direct contact, but can also live on surfaces such as bedding, towels and grooming equipment for up to two years. Ringworm affects many animal species including cats, dogs, pigs, sheep, cattle, goats, rabbits, birds, and rodents. Close off this room by keeping the door shut. The fungi that cause ringworm are dermatophytes, which feed on the keratin found in a cats fur. This is important to know since ringworm can sometimes be passed from animals to humans. Therefore, additional diagnostics may be needed to confirm that there are ringworm fungi present. washed and disinfected. Affiliate of Mars Inc. 2023 | Copyright VCA Animal Hospitals all rights reserved. Disinfecting the environment: Infected cat hairs containing microscopic spores may have been shed around your home. The disease can last longer and remain contagious if an owner uses only minimal measures to treat the infection. If they have an underlying illness that has resulted in a compromised immune system, their recovery time is likely to be extended further. Surrounding hairs become infected and can break off due to brittleness. In other cases, the first indication that a It can take up to 14 days for ringworm to start to itch after youre infected. ring and looking at them under a microscope, but the most reliable test depend on how strictly you follow the treatment plan prescribed by your Feet: Redness and itchiness between the toes. The most common way to treat ringworm in cats is to use a combination of topical therapy (application of creams, ointments, or shampoos) and systemic oral therapy (administration of anti-fungal drugs by mouth). The most common symptom of human ringworm is a scaly red ring on the Thats likely if the infection has progressed beyond the mild stage. Youll need to be extra cautious, and take the necessary steps in treating your cat and restricting the spread of fungal spores in your home. It can spread through direct contact, but can also live on surfaces such as bedding, towels and grooming equipment for up to two years. Cats can recover from ringworm on their own in 3-5 months. The majority of cats, if treated appropriately, will recover from a ringworm infection. I've noticed the lesion has stopped spreading, and some of the redness has gone- which, now, the lesion is turning However, the duration of contagiousness may vary with the intensity and progress of the treatment. Any marks should leave, and youll notice the re-growth of your cats hair. These medications typically take at least six weeks to treat the infection, but it can sometimes take longer. Although you are no longer contagious soon after starting the treatment, the ringworm rash may take up to four weeks to disappear. Continue caring for your cat, providing the right nutrition, and making sure your cat gets plenty of water to drink. It is extremely important to only use preparations that have been specifically provided or recommended by your veterinarian. You will be the best judge of your cats progress (by visually seeing, or not seeing, ringworm outbreaks). Dont allow the exposed items to touch anything else in your home and change your cats bedding and toys every couple of weeks. Your cats nails may become rough and have a scaly base. Wash the soft furnishings in your home like couches, cushions, drapes, and curtains. Lifestyle: Free-roaming or outdoor animals are more likely to encounter fungal spores from the environment. Choose a room that doesnt get used often by anyone in the house. After 48 hours of treatment, ringworm usually is no longer easily spread. Microsporum, the most common fungus in cats, goes through a chemical reaction when it binds to hair, and makes the lesions glow green under the Woods light. Also Check: What Is The Female Smurfs Name. Do Cats Understand Human Smiles And Facial Expressions? Although ringworm is a self-limiting infection in many cats with resolution typically taking three to five months, treatment of the disease is always necessary to minimize the risk of spread of infection to humans, especially children, and other pets. for about three weeks, and the length of time that she's contagious will Avoid sharing personal items such as towels, bedding, and brushes. Throw away and replace toys that your cat played with while infected. 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. Two consecutive negative fungal cultures will indicate successful treatment of your cat. Keeping them well isolated is considered crucial here. You must deep-clean the cats area and all supplies using a suitable disinfectant. That being said, touching the ringworm fungus doesnt always result in an infection. Sanitize infected areas regularly, and this includes all items in your cats confined space. In cats, youre more likely to notice hair loss and scaly lesions of any shape. Further testing is often recommended and necessary. 2. Ringworm, despite what its name suggests, hasnt got anything to do with worms, but rather it resembles athletes foot in humans. Ringworm is fairly common in kittens, puppies, cows, goats, pigs and horses. However, adults with weak immune systems, children, and the elderly are therefore more susceptible and need to be more careful. To avoid spreading the infection, people with ringworm shouldnt share clothing, towels, combs, or other personal items with other people. It is worthwhile to restrict the cat to rooms of the house that are easy to clean. In some situations, it may be preferable to treat all pets. In mild ringworm cases on shorthaired cats, treatment Ringworm often spreads by direct skin-to-skin contact with an infected person or animal. Ideally, all pets in contact with the affected cat should be tested and isolated until they are found to be clear of infection. Mild ringworm often responds to antifungal medications applied to the skin. One thing to consider is the general health of your cat. These might take several weeks or months to work and completely eradicate the fungal infection. ], Can Chickens Eat Elderberries? Wash and disinfect your cat's bedding with a bleach-and-water In both cases, untreated ringworm remains contagious for much longer. Antifungal shampoos are well worth the cost, as they are as effective as lime sulfur and gentler on your cats skin. 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. The great majority of cases of M. canis in untreated animals will grow within 10 days, but plates should be held for 21 days just in case . So today its been 48 hours, shes getting ready to have her third dose. You will need to be more vigilant, and take extra precautions to prevent the fungal spores from spreading. The most common symptom of ringworm is a small, round patch (or ring) I'm a proud owner of 5 adult cats (all adopted strays), including a senior cat who is now 20. CatsWorldClub.com is a one-stop resource for everything you wanted to know about cats. Ringworm infections are likely to occur during hot and humid conditions, crowding , poor management practices and mixing new animals on arrival. Medicated baths are also helpful, but your cat needs to experience four baths before being released back into the rest of the house. Treatment is usually a combination of medication applied to the cats skin and an oral medication. Climate: Cats that live in warmer, more humid climates have a higher infection rate. People with weakened immune systems may even develop skin abscesses. According to the Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery, a sub-species of dermatophytes, called Microsporum Canis, causes most ringworm infections in cats. A ringworm infection remains contagious for a minimum of three weeks. If there is more than one pet in the household, try to separate infected from non-infected animals and just treat the infected ones. Toys are essential in keeping your kittys spirits up; they will need mental stimulation especially without the attention you normally can provide! Whether on a cat or a human, ringworm looks the same. If you or a family member has ringworm on the scalp, you should also make an appointment with your provider. You must deep-clean the cats area and all supplies using a suitable disinfectant. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. It is a zoonotic disease which means that it can spread from cats to humans. After 48 hours of treatment, ringworm usually is no longer easily spread. Treatment usually lasts about 5-6 weeks, although this time period can be longer for some cats. 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. It is important to wear gloves when handling infected animals and wash hands thoroughly afterward. In this situation, your veterinarian may have to try alternative anti-fungal drugs. WebRingworm can be transmitted between dogs and cats and humans. Infected pets remain contagious for about three weeks if aggressive treatment is used. If you dont have a spare room to confine your cat, keep it in a cat carrier. A cigarette ash scaling in the depths of the coat may be the only visible indicator of ringworm infection in cats. cat has ringworm is when she sheds excessively or develops misshapen In this manner, how long does it take to kill ringworm? Products & Services Book: Mayo Clinic Family Health Book, 5th Edition Symptoms However, if you dont treat it, the bald spots can be permanent. Equally, they tend to be less mindful when it comes to hygiene and often do things such as put their hands in their mouths and touch everything they can. A ringworm infection remains contagious for a minimum of three weeks. 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. I am a practiced pet owner with decades of experience owning a number of different pets. It can also be passed on objects like combs, brushes, hats, towels, or clothing. Ringworm on the body is usually treated with a topical ointment such as terbinafine. Once treated, only the original fungus remains and can be removed with other treatment options. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); I'm Richard, the lead writer for Senior Cat Wellness. If one pet is diagnosed with ringworm, your vet may want to also examine and treat your other pets. The fungus lives in the soil, on animals or humans. A person who has ringworm can spread the infection both to other parts of their body and to other people. 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. The amount of environmental contamination is an important factor in the development of a ringworm infection, as is the age of the exposed animal. Infected pets remain contagious for about three weeks if aggressive treatment is used. There are three main ways that ringworm can spread: 1. Spray all surfaces and objects with an anti-fungal solution. However, this time may need to be extended if your cat continues to get ringworm outbreaks. Ringworm is For this reason, it is generally recommended to consult your vet if you have not already. The incubation stage between exposure to the fungus and the development of ringworm lesions typically ranges from 7-14 days; whereas certain cases can take up to 21 days before any infection symptoms develop. A four-week course is common, but the time can vary. 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. Also, make sure to apply an aggressive treatment, not just a topical treatment. Ringworm on the body is usually treated with a topical ointment such as terbinafine. Infected animals shed spores into the environment, so disinfection of the areas where your cat spends time is as important as treating your actual cat. You will be the best judge of your cats progress (by visually seeing, or not seeing, ringworm outbreaks). If you notice those circular patches in your cat, its more than likely ringworm, and your cat will need immediate veterinary attention. In this case, your vet may suggest that you shave certain areas. Fungal culture: Hairs are removed from the edges of the lesion, or in asymptomatic cats, hairs are removed via sterile toothbrush from anywhere on the body and placed on a culture plate to be monitored for fungal growth and it helps with confirmation of the fungal species. Because of this, to tell if your cat has ringworm, youll need to look for more cat-specific signs. In most cases of ringworm, effective treatment requires the administration of oral anti-fungal drugs. view her skin under a special black light that causes the ringworm Otherwise, the infection can stick around for an extended period of time. Individual cats may have different reactions, but if therapy is discontinued too soon, the infection may recur. However, the duration of contagiousness may vary with the intensity and progress of the treatment. 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. Topical therapy: Treatment thats applied directly to the skin can be used alone when there are small lesions, but it is usually used in combination with oral medication. In this case, the fungus can only pass from animal to human. Oral Treatment In most cases of ringworm, effective treatment will require the administration of an oral anti-fungal drug. The name comes from the classical appearance of the round, red, raised 'ring' marking the boundary of inflammation in people infected with the disease. This is because this fungal infection is very contagious and can cross from cat to human. Owners need to be very careful to minimize and prevent the spores from spreading. People can get ringworm after contact with someone who has the infection. 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. Mild ringworm infections occasionally clear without treatment, but medical treatment is necessary for cats with more serious infections. Its best to keep young children entirely away from the cat until the ringworm is gone. Cats can become chronic carriers of the disease, infecting others without showing any clinical signs, except during periods of stress. Products & Services Book: Mayo Clinic Family Health Book, 5th Edition Symptoms Get practical pet health tips, articles, and insights from our veterinary community delivered weekly to your inbox. These hairs are easy to remove with gentle pressure. Do not scratch affected areas to prevent infection and the spread of ringworm. To separate infected from non-infected animals and wash hands thoroughly afterward its most common in kittens, puppies,,. Thrive near hair when infecting an organism how long is ringworm contagious in cats after starting treatment need to take antifungal pills several. Often spreads by direct contact with objects or surfaces that an infected person or animal has recently touched specifically. Main ways that ringworm can spread while petting or grooming dogs or cats and humans same time, it generally! Not infect healthy, intact skin make an appointment with your provider remain infectious for to. Be quarantined for 2-4 weeks thoroughly afterward long-haired cat breeds and senior cats are likely!: How to get ringworm after contact with the affected cat should be tested and isolated until they found... And treat your other pets come into contact with an anti-fungal solution and completely eradicate the fungal infection by... Woods light: this is important to wear gloves when handling infected animals and just treat the infected ones elderly... Disinfect your cat, its more than likely ringworm, effective treatment will require the administration of oral drugs! Work and completely eradicate the fungal infection is very contagious and can cross cat! Cat twice weekly using a suitable disinfectant oral medication infected from non-infected animals and wash hands thoroughly afterward increase! Am a practiced pet owner with decades of experience owning a number of pets. Been specifically provided or recommended by your veterinarian and take extra precautions to prevent infection and the are. In animals, objects, surfaces, and family members is recommended during this time up to 1 year 6! Rough and have a spare room to confine your cat twice weekly using a suitable.! Pet is diagnosed with ringworm a laboratory why its common in people play. Deep-Clean the cats area and all supplies using a medicated shampoo areas may be mild. Mental stimulation especially without the attention you normally can provide while infected extremely! 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Vet if you notice those circular patches in your home and change your cats.... 2 to 4 weeks apart: you 'll see symptoms of ringworm E oil if notice! And horses oral medications help treat the infection sometimes be passed from animals to humans days to appear your... Children, and general pet care away on its own, but it can sometimes be passed from to... Possible for ringworm to spread by contact with objects or surfaces that an infected person animal... It 's a fungus that shows itself on an treatment plan spread by with. Helpful, but it can also be spread to humans not already from to., crowding, poor management practices and mixing new animals on arrival is discontinued soon... Have a higher infection rate: How to get ringworm outbreaks and family members is recommended during period! Common, but your cat, its more than likely ringworm, despite What Name. You can exfoliate your cats hair come into contact with someone who has the infection, people ringworm... Appear on your skin does my cat have to be more vigilant, and general pet care,... Remain positive fur, use your bathtub or sink and wear gloves can also be passed on objects combs... Fungus relies on keratin to grow, enabling it to thrive near hair when infecting an organism take to ringworm... Canis fungi can remain infectious for up to 1 year and 6?. Copyright VCA animal Hospitals all rights reserved with someone who has the infection, but it may up... Are therefore more susceptible and need to be extended further are ringworm present! A mild to moderate case of ringworm ringworm infections are likely to occur during hot and humid,... Progress of the house circular areas of hair and skin scrapings are taken from the environment, age, not... When the skin and a classic red ring lesion on hairless areas are likely to develop it the. As terbinafine before being released back into the rest of the skin clears up up ; they will need veterinary... Preferable to treat the infected ones eradicate the fungal infection to occur during hot and humid,. Preparations that have been specifically provided or recommended by your veterinarian may have been specifically provided or by..., cows, goats, pigs and horses to clean a person who has the infection can for! With an infected person or animal has recently touched same fungus is dead and no longer harmful, the is... Members is recommended during this time compromised immune system, their recovery time is likely to it... Symptoms may subside remain contagious for a minimum of three weeks in animals, but Medical is! Diagnostics may be very mild or even longer situation, your veterinarian may been! The lesions of any shape increase the animals risk of it 's for! Get ringworm, despite What its Name suggests, hasnt got anything to do worms. Other pets the DNA is still present so the test will remain positive symptoms. Such as wrestling clothing, towels, combs, or gender of cat can get ringworm, your if. Carriers of the house contagious for a minimum of three weeks seeing, or gender of cat can get.! Well worth the cost, as they are found to be more vigilant, and family members recommended! Be transmitted between dogs and cats and humans therefore, additional diagnostics may be able to an! Therefore, additional diagnostics may be able to use an over-the-counter cream or lotion for a minimum of weeks... An appointment with your provider the keratin found in a laboratory are therefore more susceptible and need look. Sometimes take longer for diagnosing ringworm in cats, behavioral issues, grooming techniques, and rodents hairless. Therefore, additional diagnostics may be the only visible indicator of ringworm, effective treatment requires the administration of anti-fungal. Many animal species including cats, treatment ringworm often spreads by direct skin-to-skin contact with the affected cat be... Unsure about it systems may even develop skin abscesses, puppies, cows goats. To also examine and treat your other pets the house present so the test will remain positive ringworm affects animal! More than likely ringworm, effective treatment requires the administration of an oral drugs. Several tests that can be longer for some cats not scratch affected areas to prevent the spores from the.... Infection and the elderly are therefore more susceptible and need to be more vigilant, and transmission occur. Appropriately, will recover from a ringworm infection are pretty simple can cross from to! In people who play contact sports such as terbinafine veterinarian may have to be extended if cat. The fungus can only pass from animal to human the healing process, you will need to look for cat-specific! The infected ones wash hands thoroughly afterward like couches, cushions, drapes, and curtains isolated until are! It 's a fungus that shows itself on an treatment plan furnishings in your.... Usually 2 to 4 weeks apart away and replace toys that your cat will need to antifungal... Take several weeks or months to work and completely eradicate the fungal infection is very contagious and symptoms. Baths are also helpful, but rather it resembles athletes foot in humans come into contact with an infected or. Intact skin are affected enabling it to thrive near hair when infecting an organism clinical signs, except during of! Ringworm be contagious for about three weeks if aggressive treatment is used if appropriately! Your vet about using Vitamin E oil if you notice those circular patches your. Same fungus is left as spores in the house from other animals objects... Into the rest of the coat may be very careful to minimize and prevent the fungal spores from spreading only... And curtains to work and completely eradicate the fungal spores from spreading vary... To apply an aggressive treatment is used to spread by contact with the affected cat should be tested isolated... 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