A few years ago, I started a Facebook page called Ringworm Cats and Kittens. The goal was to provide quality information about ringworm. I am frequently contacted by people sending me pictures asking “is this ringworm?” While it’s impossible to accurately diagnose ringworm without doing a proper exam, the following will help you get a better idea if it’s possible. If you can answer yes to one or more of these questions (usually more) then you should consider ringworm, but again this is a guide not a rulebook.
Is it under 4 Months of Age?
Most hair loss in kittens under 4 months of age is caused by ringworm. Most hair loss in adult cats is caused by allergies. Food allergies, which are the most common allergy in cats, has an onset of 6 months to 12 years.
Does it Have a Compromised Immune System?
A cat with a compromised immune system is more likely to develop ringworm. Kittens, even when healthy, automatically have a compromised immune system. Adult cats that are stressed or another illness are more likely to be unable to fight off ringworm.
Does it Have Fleas or Mites?
Ringworm begins when the spores get under a break in the skin. These breaks, referred to as microtrauma, are usually not visible. Scratching and flea bites are two way to create microtrauma. Fleas have also been known to culture positive for ringworm, but it is unclear if they actually spread it.
Is There a History of Microtrauma?
According to Dr. Karen Moriello, microtrauma is necessary for ringworm to be present. Microtrauma can be caused by hair clippers, scruffing with leather gloves, fleas, and scratching.
Are There Spots of Complete Hair Loss?
Ringworm will cause spots of hair to fall out completely. If you have areas where there is thinning hair, it is more likely to be caused by allergies.
Is the Hair Loss on the Head, Legs or Tail?
Ringworm is most commonly found on the face, legs and tail. In cats where fleas caused the microtrauma that spread ringworm, you are likely to see ringworm on the neck area. In other cases, ringworm typically starts on the face, ears and muzzle before developing on the legs and tail area. That doesn’t mean you won’t find it on other areas. But it is rare. In the probably 1000+ cases I have seen, I only have seen ringworm only on the body a couple of times.
Are the Spots NOT Itchy?
Feline ringworm is often described as being “itchy.” However, I don’t recall ever seeing a cat or kitten itching their ringworm. At least, it’s not as itchy as allergies, fleas or ear mites. So if you see a cat scratching, I would look to other causes before considering ringworm.
Has the Cat Had Contact with an Infected Animal or Soil?
There are three types of ringworm that cats can get. Two of them, Microsporum canis and Trichophyton mentagrophytes, are spread through direct contact with an infected animal. Infection from the environment alone is rare. (Yeah, I know, that’s hard to believe but it’s true.) These two types account for about 95% of all feline ringworm. The third type, Microsporum gypseum is transmitted through the soil. A cat that has has no contact with any outside cats for at least 3 weeks is unlikely to suddenly develop ringworm.