2007-03-16 14:18:55 · 3 answers · asked by Cherd 1 in Pets ➔ Cats
ringworms is a fungus and not worms, it effects the skin and is very contagious, other animals can get ringworm humans tend to contract it from cats because we live in close living quarters with them
2007-03-16 14:28:47 · answer #1 · answered by kanniece 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Ringworm is a very contagious fungus spread by spores. If your cat is losing fur on it's face and paws that's probably it. You can get ringworm from your cat and it is very itchy. You can also give it to other people. It isn't kitty's fault!
There are anti-fungal agents you can get and shampoos you can use on the cat to get rid of it. These are marginally helpful. Housekeeping is not to blame. It can appear out of nowhere, and can take up to 2 years to eradicate. Vacuum everything and throw away the bag (just like you would do for fleas). Launder anything you can. You should isolate your pets to one room in the house to cut down on exposure. NO kissing and hugging kitty until the ringworm is gone. I'd take your cat to the vet and get his/her best advice.
2007-03-16 21:26:11 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Simply because it's a contagious fungal infection of the skin.
Ringworm is very common, especially among children, and may be spread by skin-to-skin contact, as well as via contact with contaminated items such as hairbrushes. Ringworm spreads readily, as those infected are contagious even before they show symptoms of the disease.
2007-03-16 14:31:11 · answer #3 · answered by Unicornrider 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is not really a worm but a fungus that is spread by spores. It affects the hair follicles and can be passed between cats to humans and vice versa. Usually you have to medicate to get rid of it...it does not go away on it's own like someone said, and bedding (humans and cats) should be washed frequently to get rid of the spores that may accumulate there. On cats it appears as scaley looking skin with missing fur, on people it starts out looking like a bug bite (just a little red itchy spot) and eventually gets bigger and makes a red raised ring (hence the name) on the skin.
2007-03-16 16:49:17 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Its just a fungus that they pick up then you get it from petting them. It will eventually go away on its own, but you can treat it at home with black walnut, which you can pick up at any natural foods store or health store. Its a liquid that you rub on your skin. It costs like $10/bottle.
It wouldn't be of much use to the cat though except to get rid of real worms, in which case you can put a few drops in its water for about a week. But dont give it to a dog, cause it can make the dog very sick or even die.
2007-03-16 15:28:00 · answer #5 · answered by Jesus Pleaseus 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
not just cats , children get it from the dirt they play in inthe playground, dogs have it, some nasty adults carry it from filthy living conditions. so don't blame a clean cat from being exposed to this disease
2007-03-16 21:12:50 · answer #6 · answered by katie d 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋