My new cat has a red circular spot on her lip. Is it ringworm?

Poor Mabel. This could be several different things like ringworm, a bacterial infection, a viral infection, mange, an immune reaction and more. I would have your vet take a look at her to see what it may be. They will be able to get her started on the proper meds to help it heal. They may also recommend to have her tested for feline leukemia and feline aids. If she is positive for one of these things, it is good to know. These are not something that she needs to be euthanized for but it is a good thing to know so you know to keep her indoors and away from other cats if possible. It also means her immune system may not be as strong as a normal cats so she may needed to be treated differently or with something stronger. I hope this helps and she starts to feel better soon!

This presentation could be due to a trauma or localized spot of skin infection (likely to be caused by bacteria or fungal infection). A check up, appropriate disinfection and possibly antibiotics/antifungal meds (oral, topical or in a shampoo formulation) are needed to solve the problem. Disinfection may be started at home with very diluted hibiscrub or betadine or salted water baths. Buster collar may be useful as well to avoid any scratching. Hope this answer was helpful, but please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further.

Thank you for including pictures of Bella's ear! It is certainly possible that it is ringworm, but she could also have an infection or an injury causing this redness. For now, I would leave it be and not touch it, and have her seen by a vet on Monday for it. The vet can use a Wood's lamp and do a fungal culture to diagnose if it is ringworm, and can prescribe treatment for it. I would keep Bella isolated from other animals in your home for now just in case she does have ringworm. Ringworm is highly contagious to other animals and humans, and I would wash your hands thoroughly after each time you touch her. The concern is that the Microsporum canis (fungal organism causing ringworm) is spread diffusely throughout a cat's entire hair coat, so you need to make sure to practice good hygiene to try to keep from getting it yourself. Should Bella have ringworm, you will need to disinfect the home as spores can live up to 10 months in the environment. I will put a link below on how to do that. Please have her seen by a vet on Monday, I hope this helps! http://www.livestrong.com/article/49666-rid-home-ringworm/

Thank you for submitting your question regarding Harlow. I recommend that she sees her veterinarian. Was she treated when the other cat had ringworm a few months ago? The standard recommendation is to treat all pets in the home. If so, it is less likely that that is the current problem. She appears to have a small scab. This can represent a wound from scratching her ears as well. I will see this in cats with an ear infection. The veterinarian will examine her and determine how best to treat. I hope this information helps!

You are right to question this. While I can't make a ringworm diagnosis based on visual exam, I can say that Momo has a text-book-looking ringworm lesion. You might consider having your own vet do a pre-purchase exam. You can ask the breeder to send the records. If it turns out that the breeder in not be honest, then that would be a big clue to walk away from this deal. Breeders definitely don't have the best reputations, so I think an independent evaluation is always a good idea. You should also make sure she has received her vaccines and deworming. I hope this helps.

The picture is not very clear, but I see some crustiness and possibly some hair loss. I worry about ringworm (a skin fungus) with that type of lesion, because this is also a very common location for ringworm in kittens. It could also be some other infection or due to a scratch or bite. It is not normal though and to determine the cause, you would have to bring her into the vet for an exam. They can take a sample (if needed) and look at it under the microscope to find out what it is. For now, it's best to consider it contagious, because ringworm can be transmitted from cats to people. This is usually self-limiting (will go away on its own), but may need treatment if you start to see more lesions. You can wash it once a day with medicated shampoo labeled for cats (can be found at the pet store). This will help if it is an infection.

Hi there. I would be very suspicious that those areas may be ringworm. I would highly encourage you to have him evaluated by a veterinarian. If they agree they will likely put him on an oral medication and possibly a medicated shampoo. Please practice good hygiene with this kitten as ring worm is contagious to people and other animals. Best of luck and thank you for using Pet Coach.