A poor blue cat was abandoned three times because of a skin disease! Finally, the cat was found downstairs by a kind netizen. After asking around, no one claimed it, so the cat was taken to the vet.
The cat is physically healthy, but its skin condition is quite severe. Its back, especially the area near its tail, is rotting. Judging from the length of its fur, it was probably shaved during a previous check-up. Therefore, it is highly likely that the cat was abandoned due to illness.
After a thorough examination, the veterinarian discovered that the cat may have been abandoned several times. Its skin was covered in numerous, severe red spots, some of which had been raw by the cat, others were scabbed over, and there was also dandruff. The cat ultimately spent over a thousand yuan in hospitalization for a week before finally recovering and returning home.
Skin diseases in cats are not fatal, and often require very little medical expense; a few dollars' worth of medication applied regularly can cure them. However, because skin diseases can severely affect a cat's appearance, some owners cruelly abandon them.
Some people abandon cats with skin diseases because they mistakenly believe that skin diseases such as ringworm are prone to recurrence, are very troublesome to treat, and may even be contagious to humans. They also believe that even if the disease is cured, the cat will become bald and no longer cute.
Ringworm is one of the most common skin diseases in cats and dogs, reportedly affecting 80% of cats. It's a fungal infection, and over 98% of cases are caused by Microsporum canis and Microsporum gypseum.
Some cats infected with fungi will only develop symptoms such as hair loss and increased dandruff. Kittens and cats with low immunity are most susceptible to ringworm.
This disease commonly affects the face, torso, limbs, and tail of cats. Affected areas experience hair loss, forming circular patches with dandruff, and may even develop erythema or scabs. Because cats experience intense itching, they are prone to scratching, leading to redness, swelling, erosion, and in severe cases, suppuration.
Recently, Mr. Li, a resident of Zhengzhou, discovered red patches all over his daughter's body, from her stomach to her back, resembling coin marks, and extremely itchy. Besides his wife, he also found similar marks on himself and his son. After a hospital examination, the doctor suggested it might be tinea corporis, and subsequent tests showed a positive result for fungus.
A month ago, Mr. Li adopted two stray cats from his neighborhood. Lacking experience, he only performed a simple deworming treatment and was unaware that the kittens had contracted a fungal infection. The children often cuddled the kittens while sleeping, and this close contact among family members led to cross-infection of the fungus.
The veterinarian advised that when adopting stray kittens, one should remember to take them to the vet for a check-up, treat any skin diseases promptly, and avoid letting them onto the bed or allowing children close contact with them until they are fully recovered. Mr. Li said he had no problem: "I'll take them to the vet as soon as I get home!"
Ringworm in cats can indeed be transmitted to humans, causing redness and itching on the skin. However, with timely veterinary treatment and proper care, it usually improves significantly within two to three weeks, and is basically cured within eight weeks.
After disinfecting the affected area and trimming the fur, the veterinarian will apply topical medications such as ketoconazole ointment, clotrimazole ointment, and antifungal treatment. The cat will also wear an Elizabethan collar and, if necessary, a medicated bath. These medications are inexpensive, costing only ten or twenty yuan.
Ringworm in cats is transmitted through fungal spores. Besides direct contact with the source of infection, clothing and other textiles are the most common intermediate transmission route. Therefore, preventing ringworm in cats should focus on both the environment and the cat itself, and it's actually not difficult.
1. Maintain a clean living environment for your cat. Clean the litter box and tidy up frequently, and disinfect your cat's belongings regularly. It is recommended to use a pet disinfectant to spray cat beds, mats, etc.
2. Ensure your cat gets enough nutrition and vitamins. Cats with ringworm generally have weak immune systems, so pay attention to a balanced diet and choose high-quality cat food that is high in protein, moderate in fat, and low in carbohydrates. Also, control the frequency of bathing; do not bathe your cat too often to avoid damaging the skin's stratum corneum. When bathing, choose a hypoallergenic shampoo specifically for pets.
3. Let your cat bask in the sun. The ultraviolet rays in sunlight are enough to kill fungi. The cat's living environment should be well-lit, dry and well-ventilated, and the cat's supplies should also be sunned to disinfect them.
