How to Find Ringworm on a Cat

Keep your cat healthy by locating and treating the ringworm infection.

Ringworm, clinically known as dermatophytosis, is a fungal infection. Cats can contact ringworm from a variety of places such as infected soil or infected rodents. Cats will develop symptoms once they contract the fungal infection. The ringworm fungal infection needs treated immediately to keep your cat healthy. Ringworm is often difficult to cure on cats, and it can be transferred to humans or other animals.

Instructions

1. Search the cat's fur for circular patches of hair loss. These will typically be located around the head and limbs.

2. Locate circular red bumps on the hairless patch of skin. These bumps will often spread into a circle or oval.

3. Examine areas on the skin that are dry, flaky and itchy. These will typically accompany areas of patchy baldness on the cat. The areas may appear dark or red.

4. Take your cat to the veterinarian to do a culture of its fur. The veterinarian can determine whether your cat has the fungal infection.

Tips & Warnings

• Treat the infection once a professional has diagnosed your cat with the fungal infection.

References

• Pet Place: Ringworm (Dermatophytosis) in Cats
• Medi-Vet: Ringworm in Cats and Dogs
• Manhattan Cats: Ringworm