25/02/2026
🐈 Did you know that ringworm isn’t actually caused by a worm 🪱❓😳
Ringworm, or “dermatophytosis” as it is scientifically known, is an infection caused by a particular type of fungus called a “dermatophyte” that has the ability to grow on the skin! 🦠
Dermatophytosis is highly contagious and thousands of millions of microscopic spores are produced around infected hairs 🔍 Infected hairs and spores are then shed into the cat’s environment 🏡 so other cats 🐈 may become infected either by direct contact with an infected animal or by exposure to a contaminated environment or object, such as their bedding or grooming equipment 🧺
Spores 🦠 in the cat’s environment can remain infectious for up to two years and are difficult to kill ☠️
The appearance of dermatophyte infection is very variable, from severe skin disease to minor lesions. Typical lesions are discrete, roughly circular areas of hair loss. These occur particularly on the head, ears or legs. Surroundings hairs may be broken and the affected skin scaly and inflamed ⭕️
Treatment of ringworm is always advised because, although most cases eventually resolve, infected cats are a risk to other cats and also to humans 🐈 ➡ 🧍
Has your cat, or one you have been caring for, encountered this infection❓👇
