Is it true that Ringworms come from cats and if so how can you keep them from getting them my cat has no sign of any but people have told me that you get Ringworms from cats is this true or false
2006-08-04 16:09:52 · 12 answers · asked by jamnjims 5 in Pets ➔ Cats
Cats carry the fungus ringworm. That't right, it's not actually a worm. It looks like a worm when it effects skin, thats how it got it's name.
I work for a vet and the best way we test for ring worm is to see if the owners of the pet get it. Tests are ineffective and are usually wrong.
Keep the cat indoors. The fungus lives outside in dirt. Avoid it and you don't have to worry.
If your family or the cat come up with a circular, red rash, see a doctor (home remedies don't work) and take the cat to a vet for shampoo.
Good luck
2006-08-04 16:27:30 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Cats carry ringworm and sometimes you can actually see a break out. and YES you can get it from them. Infact while I worked for the Humane society I found that more cats then dogs had ringworm that other's could catch.
2006-08-04 16:28:51 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ringworm is NOT actually a worm, it is a fungus. Yes, cats carry it. It usually looks like a scaly area on the cats skin and they usually lose their hair in that area. People can easily get it from cats, and people can pass it onto their pets as well. On people....starts out as a little itchy red spot on the skin then gets bigger and forms sort of a red raised ring. Usually affects the hair follicles so people get it on arms or legs.
2006-08-04 16:36:48 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ringworm is a fungus and not actually worms.
Ringworm is caused by fungi (plural of fungus). It is not caused by a worm or other parasite. The fungi that cause ringworm live and multiply on the outer layer of the skin.
The type of fungus that most commonly causes ringworm of the skin spreads from one person to another. You can get it by sharing towels, clothing, or sports equipment or by having direct contact with an infected person’s rash.
Another type of fungus is spread by cats and dogs. It is less common but causes more severe infections.
Can ringworm be prevented?
Fungi thrive in warm, moist areas, such as locker rooms and swimming pools, and in skin folds. To prevent ringworm:
Do not share clothing, sports equipment, towels, or sheets. If you think you have been exposed to ringworm, wash your clothes in hot water with fungus-killing (fungicidal) soap.
Wear slippers or sandals in locker rooms, showers, and public bathing areas.
Shower and shampoo thoroughly after any sport that requires skin-to-skin contact.
Wear loose-fitting cotton clothing. Change your socks and underwear at least once a day.
Keep your skin clean and dry. Always dry yourself completely after showers or baths.
If you have athlete's foot, put your socks on before your underwear so that fungi do not spread from your feet to your groin.
Take your pet to the vet if it has patches of missing hair, which could be a sign of a fungal infection.
To prevent ringworm from returning after treatment, apply talcum or other drying powder to the affected area daily.
2006-08-04 17:12:47 · answer #4 · answered by Turtle 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes cats have ring worn. but other pets including humans can get it. it is a fungus and very contagious and can be difficult to get rid of.if your cat has it and you pick it up and love on it , you stand a very good chance of getting it . it shows up as a red raised round area the outer ares is a little darker than the middle. go to your Dr. for treatment and take the pet to the vet for treatment which will consist of weekly dips for many weeks. you can tell if a cat might have ringworm if they have spots where the hair has fallen out
2006-08-04 16:24:24 · answer #5 · answered by basque girl 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ringworm is a fungal infection, not a parasite. Cats can carry it, may show no symptoms, and can pass it to humans. Your vet can do a test to see if your cat has it.
2006-08-04 16:15:40 · answer #6 · answered by RabidBunyip 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's true cats do carry ringworm.
You can buy tablets from the vet that can prevent this.
2006-08-04 16:14:09 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes cats can carry ringworm. It can be highly contagious. Your vet will beable to diagnose and treat any problems with your animal's skin.
2006-08-04 18:37:22 · answer #8 · answered by That girl 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
most cats seem to get ringworm as kittens...yes, it can be passed to humans, but, odds are, if you have already been around kittens, you have already had ringworm and are now immune...it's not that big of a deal, just a fungus.
2006-08-04 16:22:00 · answer #9 · answered by bitter_winds 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes you can get ringworm from your cat or dog and i would have your cat or dog checked if u are suspitious
2006-08-04 16:12:46 · answer #10 · answered by FLIRTY GIRL 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋