My vet suggested cream for cat ringworm, but it's not working. Help!

Related Answers from Veterinarians

• Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

  Veterinarian

  Published on May 4th, 2020

  Thank you for contacting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach with your question about Shadow. It could be ringworm, but I can't say for certain without seeing him in person. I have never come across a topical medication that has been effective for treating ringworm in cats aside from prescription-based lime sulfur dips. The concern is that the Microsporum canis (fungal organism causing ringworm) is spread diffusely throughout a cat's entire hair coat, such that an isolated topical spray will not cover all surfaces of every hair, and lead to frequent recurrence. If you are concerned that he may have ringworm, he should go to his vet for confirmation and will need to be started on oral antifungal medication. I hope that all goes well!

  

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• Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

  Veterinarian

  Published on January 9th, 2020

  I have never come across a topical medication that has been effective for treating ringworm in cats aside from prescription-based lime sulfur dips. The concern is that the Microsporum canis (fungal organism causing ringworm) is spread diffusely throughout a cat's entire hair coat, such that an isolated topical spray will not cover all surfaces of every hair, and lead to frequent recurrence. If you are concerned that Baby may have ringworm, she should go to his vet for confirmation and will need to be started on oral antifungal medication. I hope that all goes well!

  

  1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

• Answered By Anna M., DVM

  Veterinarian

  Published on February 14th, 2021

  Poor Tuki! With that degree of hair loss, if ringworm has already been diagnosed as the cause, I would agree with the first vet that a systemic (oral) antifungal such as Sporanox, in addition to a medicated topical treatment is necessary for this degree of hair loss. All anti-fungal medications have risks in cats, but we need to weight the pros & cons, and with a serious fungal infection the treatment is often necessary.
  
  I do not recommend using a scalpel to remove ringworm lesions - however, there is a test called a "skin scrape" where we use a scalpel blade to gently scrape (not cut) the very top layer of skin onto a microscope slide, in order to look for skin mites as a cause of hair loss. This would be done as a diagnostic test, not as a treatment. I wonder if this is the test that second vet was recommending, in order to make sure there isn't something else causing Tuki's hair loss. And in that case, I would also agree with this second vet. If Tuki is getting worse despite treatment, then it's worth making sure there isn't something else requiring an adjustment in Tuki's treatment plan.
  
  Hope this helps!

  

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