Lichen is a fungal or infectious skin lesion. This pathology can affect not only stray animals, but also domestic ones. Treatment of lichen in cats should be carried out only by a veterinarian, while it is important to follow all his recommendations. Depending on the etiology of the disease, lichen can be caused by various reasons. There is an allergic skin lesion, infectious or caused by malfunctions in the immune system. But more often than not, the cat is affected by ringworm, the bacteria that are considered to be the culprits.
Where can I get infected?
Do not assume that if the animal does not go outside, then it is completely protected from this problem. Lichen is propagated by microspores, which have great survivability. In warm and humid climates they are able to function up to two years. Therefore, you can bring disputes to the house on street shoes or clothes. It is noted that the disease is most common in warm regions and practically does not occur in the north. The peak of infection occurs in spring and summer.
The source of the spread of microsporia are rodents. A cat can pick up fungi from an infected animal or through objects surrounding it. Therefore, it is so important to regularly process the litter of the pet, its bowl and block the admission to the corridor with street shoes.
Risk group
Stray cats are most commonly infected. But in the body of an adult animal, a stable immunity to various fungi is gradually formed. Therefore, cats with reduced immunity or not yet formed are especially at risk. So the risk group includes:
- kittens up to a year;
- cats that have suffered an infectious disease;
- elderly animals;
- individual breeds that are naturally devoid of specific immunity against microsporia, for example, Persian cats.
Animals with reduced immunity are especially at risk for catching this disease. The reason for this condition may be:
- inferior care;
- poor nutrition;
- worm infection;
- the presence of infection in the body and treatment with potent drugs.
Therefore, stray animals are also at risk. Particular attention is required to long-haired individuals. Thick coat creates ideal conditions for the development and functioning of pathogenic fungi.
Who can get infected?
Microorganisms spread quite quickly around a sick animal. But you can see this process only under a microscope. Disputes move freely through the air and settle on all household items. Therefore, the cat does not have to be in contact with the infected animal, and you can pick up the fungus simply by rubbing on street shoes.
Treatment of lichen in cats is complicated by the fact that the first symptoms do not appear immediately. The incubation period can last up to three months. At this time, the cat does not show any signs of anxiety, but spores are already embedded in the skin. In addition, the intensity of the signs directly depends on the general health of the cat and the area of the lesion.
Treatment of lichen in cats should be entrusted to a veterinarian. It should be borne in mind that the shearing form is transmitted to the person. Most susceptible to infection;
- preschool children;
- elderly people with poor health;
- people with reduced immunity.
It must be understood that healthy cats and people can not get sick, their body does not allow pathogenic fungi to multiply. But they can be on the skin and under adverse conditions strike.
Clinical picture
A fairly common problem is lichen in cats. Signs and treatment depend on the degree of damage and the health status of the cat. At the same time, a rather long incubation period adds to the complexity. It can take about 5 days, but can last two months. Therefore, treatment of lichen in cats often begins late. However, the following signs should alert the caring owner:
- change in pigmentation on the skin;
- peeling;
- hair loss;
- the occurrence of inflammation, scales or blisters on the skin;
- the appearance of clear bald patches.
Health problems can be seen in the behavior of the cat. Microsporia causes severe itching, so the pet constantly itches. If the animal combs the wounds, then they begin to bleed and in their place appear tuberous crusts. In this case, the risk of secondary infection is high.
The fungus can affect not only the skin. If the spores affected the cat's claws, then they can break off, exfoliate and grow curved.
Not always in open form is manifested in lichen in cats. Symptoms and treatment may be delayed when the microsporia is latent in nature. In the cat, only areas of skin where the hairs have broken off are noticeable. This condition indicates a strong immunity, but it is necessary to help the body cope with the pathology.
The consequences of untreated lichen
Often, breeders do not attach importance to small bald patches that form on the head or body of a cat. It is believed that such a problem will pass on its own. However, it is proved that if ringworm is not treated, then over time, the affected areas become more and more. They grow and merge together, forming one large wound through which any infection can penetrate. In severe cases, a generalized form is diagnosed. In this case, the fungus affects more than half the body of the pet.
The prognosis of the development of pathology
The rapid development of the disease is observed only in weakened animals. In healthy individuals, one or two spots are most often observed, and with appropriate care they quickly pass. However, with the appearance of adverse factors and a decrease in immunity, ringworm begins to affect an increasingly large area. The following symptoms are observed:
- depressed state;
- anxiety from constant itching;
- blood scratching and joining a secondary infection;
- loss of appetite.
It is important that the veterinarian picks out the remedies for depriving cats. When caring for a cat, personal safety precautions must be observed.
How not to infect a person?
Cat lichen can also be transmitted to humans. Treatment in cats involves mandatory preventive measures and disinfection. The mandatory package of measures includes:
- Mandatory wet and vacuum (vacuum cleaner) processing of the room. It is necessary to treat with a disinfectant solution all household items and cat litter.
- All manipulations with infected animals should be carried out with gloves.
- Clothing in which pet care is best washed at the highest temperatures.
Children should have limited access to a sick cat.
Diagnostic measures
Having revealed a fungal infection, it is necessary to find out what lichen developed in the cat. Treatment can quickly get rid of the problem, but accurate diagnosis is important. Therefore, with any suspicion of microsporia, the animal must be shown to a specialist. To exclude other skin pathologies, to identify the type of lichen, I am not enough just a visual examination. The doctor uses three different methods to make an accurate diagnosis:
- The use of Wood's fluorescent lamp. Under its glow, the fungal lesions turn green. However, this method has only 50% accuracy. The fact is that not all disputes emit a glow. It happens that under the influence of various medicines, healthy skin emits radiance. In addition, on the skin of healthy cats there are often spores that can glow, but no signs of lichen are observed.
- Using a microscope. For this, pieces of the affected epithelium and hairs are taken. If a fungus is found in their composition, then its variety is examined. However, the method also does not provide a 100% guarantee. In the absence of spores, it cannot be precisely stated that they did not lie in deeper skin integuments.
- The cultivation of pathogenic organisms. The method has the greatest accuracy, but its drawback is the long lead time. It takes about three weeks to get the results.
Mandatory is a blood and urine test. This makes it possible to exclude viral infections and find out the general health status of the pet.
Drug treatment
The lichen in cats looks rather unpleasant (photo).
Treatment involves various means of therapy, which depend on the degree of damage to the spores, the health status of the pet and its age:
- Vaccination. Veterinarians most often use Polivak TM and Microderm. However, not all experts consider such measures effective. A vaccine involves administering a medication to prevent and treat an existing problem. Dosage is calculated based on the weight of the pet. As a preventive measure, two injections are necessary, for treatment - three. The interval between injections is 10 days.
- Outdoor facilities. The use of different methods of therapy involves the treatment of lichen in cats. Preparations that need to be applied externally are highly effective. The veterinarian may advise treatment shampoo, cream, spray, drops, or ointment. For a more fruitful use, it is advisable to shave the coat on the affected areas before processing. Ointments for the treatment of cats depriving directly affect fungi, but have toxicity. Therefore, when using them on a cat, it is recommended to wear a special collar. So the animal will not lick the drug and avoid poisoning.
- Oral medication. Tablets are prescribed to the animal only as a last resort, when all the proposed methods are ineffective. Pills have a number of side effects and contraindications. Therefore, the dosage must be accurate and calculated by the veterinarian.
It causes a lot of discomfort to an animal and a person in lichen in cats (photo). Treatment will be effective if you follow all the recommendations of a doctor.
Cat deprivation - treatment at home
Many breeders seek to get rid of fungal skin lesions on their own. If lichen in cats is detected, treatment at home is possible only at the initial stage. Veterinarians warn that such methods can be used if the lesion area is not large and it is not possible to purchase special antifungal agents.
Treatment of depriving cats with home remedies involves the use of:
- lemon juice with olive oil;
- celandine juice;
- tinctures of calendula;
- birch tar;
- onion juice.
However, caution must be exercised when lichen in cats is processed. Treatment at home can be carried out if the pet feels well and there are visible improvements on the face.
A fairly popular measure often used by villagers is the ashes of a burnt newspaper. To do this, it is necessary to cool the resulting ash and evenly sprinkle the lesion. The product fights against the fungus and prevents it from multiplying.
If a cat has lichen, folk treatment can not always replace professional therapy. Therefore, when the condition worsens, it is better to show the animal to the veterinarian.
Treatments for the treatment of ringworm
As a treatment for ringworm, specialists most often prescribe external drugs. They have a direct effect on spores and have fewer side effects. Therefore, if the treatment depriving cats of folk remedies has not brought the proper result, it is necessary to use medications:
- "Clotrimazole." An ointment that has an antifungal effect. The effect of the application is noticeable after 2 weeks. It is necessary to apply up to 3 times a day. The course of treatment lasts about three weeks.
- "Sanoderm." An ointment designed specifically for pets. It has three actions at once - it fights against fungi, pathogenic bacteria and relieves inflammation. Active components are clotrimazole and gentamicin. Apply twice a day. After visible improvements, they are switching to single use. The course is 2-4 weeks.
- "Miconazole." The release form of this drug is different. You can choose a gel, spray or ointment. The tool completely destroys the fungi on the body of the animal, has a potent composition, so use with other agents is not recommended. The drug is applied to the affected areas twice a day until complete recovery.
- "Fukortsin." The solution has antiseptic and antifungal effects. It can be used if the spread of lichen is not large or as preparing the skin for the use of the main drug. Please note that long-term use is addictive.
- Thermicon. Let out in the form of solution, ointment, spray and gel. The effect is noticeable after several days of use. The course of treatment is only a week with two use.
- "Fungin." Clotrimazole-based drops with the addition of propolis. The tool has a pronounced complex effect. Destroys spores, reduces inflammation and promotes rapid regeneration of the skin.
In addition to the main drugs, the animal is prescribed vitamins and drugs that enhance immunity - Ribotan and Anandin.
Treatment for ringworm in humans
If a cat’s lichen is found in humans, treatment should be started immediately. To do this, consult a dermatologist. The doctor will conduct all the necessary examinations and prescribe a comprehensive treatment. The patient will need to take drugs inside and use external ointments.
The most commonly prescribed antifungal agents include:
- "Irunin";
- "Griseofulvin";
- "Itrazil."
Antimycotic ointments will also be required:
- "Clotrimazole";
- "Mycoseptin";
- "Terbinafine";
- "Ketoconazole."
In order for the treatment to be effective, it is recommended to adhere to the following treatment regimen. In the morning, immediately awakening, the patient processes the affected areas with a solution of iodine. Next, the recommended remedy is used. Before going to bed, you should treat the skin with salicylic acid or sulfuric ointment.
Folk remedies for depriving a person
Many recipes are offered by traditional medicine. However, not all of them are safe and effective. The following can be recommended:
- Skin treatment with cranberry juice. You can use garlic.
- Use for lubrication depriving apple cider vinegar.
But the following recipe is recognized as the most effective. It is necessary to take plantain juice and coals from burning birch branches. The resulting mixture is applied to the affected area several times a day.
Preventative measures
In order not to deal with the problem, prevention is needed. For this, it is important to keep track of who the cat has contact with. It is advisable to limit free walks on the street without control or to abandon them altogether. It is necessary to regularly process the litter of the animal, its tray and bowl.
As a preventative measure, many veterinarians offer to vaccinate a pet. Although not all experts consider this method effective, nevertheless injecting a cat will not harm.
It is important to monitor the health of the cat and strengthen its immunity. This requires good nutrition, proper care and timely deworming. It is especially important to observe the animals in spring and autumn. At this time, it is advisable to purchase a vitamin-mineral complex and offer the cat with food.
Often the hosts themselves contribute to infection. Fungal spores can be found on street shoes or human hands. Therefore, it is necessary to limit the cat’s access to street shoes and prohibit children from stroking stray animals.
It must be remembered that if there are several cats in the house, then vaccination is required for all pets. It is necessary to isolate the sick animal, and to disinfect all places. The veterinarian may recommend reinforcing preparations for cats that have been in contact with the patient.
Conclusion
Ringworm in a cat is a fairly common problem. Every year, veterinarians encounter a similar disease and have developed certain tactics to destroy the fungus. Do not rely solely on home treatments. They will help in the event of a minor lesion and can be a panacea for stray cats who want to help.
If the animal is thoroughbred and constantly lives at home, then its innate immunity is somewhat weaker. Therefore, for treatment it is necessary to contact a veterinary clinic. Treatment should be comprehensive and not only affect the external signs, but also affect the cause of the development of the disease - weakened immunity. Therefore, together with antifungal ointments and shampoos, funds will be prescribed to strengthen overall health.