Can adults get ringworm from cats?
Yes, ringworm is contagious to people and is caught through touching an infected cat. You cannot catch ringworm if your skin is unbroken, but if you have a scratch, graze, wound or suffer from a skin condition such as eczema, you may catch the infection but it’s usually easily treatable.
What if my cat is a ringworm carrier?
We try not to use the term carrier when describing cats with ringworm as the term carrier implies that the cat “harbors a specific infectious agent without discernible clinical disease and serves as a potential source of infection.” Ringworm is not a disease that cats will harbor for long periods of time, nor is it a …
How long does ringworm last on cats?
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.
When to take your cat to the vet for ringworm?
See a vet to confirm the presence of ringworm. If your cat shows signs of ringworm, or you have suspicious lesions on your own skin, get your cat checked by a veterinarian.
What does ringworm look like on a cat?
Ringworm (dermatophytosis) is a fungal infection that affects a cat’s skin, fur, and nails. The name comes from the appearance of ringworm (a series of raised, inflamed rings on the skin.) Ringworm is caused by exposure to fungi. It can infect any cat at any time.
Can you get ringworm from a stray cat?
Ringworm is zoonotic which means it passes between humans and animals with ease. Your own cat can give you ringworm just as easily as a stray. Ringworm spores do not discriminate! They will pick the best host for peaceful feeding. They make a meal out of keratin which is plentiful on all animal skin (humans included).
How long does ringworm stay dormant in a cat?
The fungal spores that cause ringworm can lay dormant for up to two weeks. This means that it’s not always obvious that a cat is carrying the infection. A cat could be exposed to these fungal spores by encountering another cat with ringworm. This is more likely if your cat wanders outside.
What does it mean when a cat has ringworm?
Ringworm is an infectious skin condition that can affect cats and may be passed on to people. However, the name “ringworm” is misleading because this is a fungal infection, and not caused by a worm. Ringworm is actually caused by a fungal infection, and in cats it is known as feline dermatophytosis.
Can you get ringworm from a barn cat?
If you’ve been caring for cat colonies, barn cats, or fostering kittens, you’ve probably gotten some experience with ringworm by now. Ringworm and cats are often linked together in very negative ways. There are many causes of ringworm and cats are only one of them. Cats are often blamed for it in people, horses, and other pets.
Can a unsocialized cat be treated for ringworm?
The trauma of treating an unsocialized cat for ringworm and bringing him into the vet is more harmful than the ringworm infection itself. That said, treating your pets and yourself can help reduce the length of infection and help stop it from spreading to other animals. And ALWAYS treat kittens who are infected.
The fungal spores that cause ringworm can lay dormant for up to two weeks. This means that it’s not always obvious that a cat is carrying the infection. A cat could be exposed to these fungal spores by encountering another cat with ringworm. This is more likely if your cat wanders outside.