How Long to Quarantine Cat with Ringworm

February 28, 2020
cat

It is Ringworm is highly infectious – so if your cat has contracted ringworm, you’ll need to take steps immediately to quarantine her to stop it from spreading throughout your household.

Yes, animals and humans can transmit the skin fungus ringworm between each other. Therefore, your family members and other animals are at risk of catching it. For information on the condition – what it is, what it looks like, and how to treat it, click here.

How Serious Is Ringworm?

Kitten with ringwormMost healthy cats will be able to self-cure after a period of time (typically 3-5 months). You can cure your cat of ringworm faster with proper care and medication.

AND – you don’t want the infection to spread to humans and your other pets, so taking aggressive action to stop the spread of ringworm is very important.

Ringworm is more common in kittens and sometimes older cats, both of whom have weaker immune systems and have trouble fighting off this infection. Less healthy, feral cats are also susceptible for the same reasons.

How Long Is A Cat Contagious?

If you aggressively treat the infection and take steps to prevent re-infection, your cat will be contagious for about 3 weeks. Length of time depends on the overall health of your cat at the outset. The healthier your cat, the quicker will be his response time to treatment. Veterinarians recommend you consider your cat contagious until she has two consecutive negative fungal cultures demonstrating the infection is gone. Your vet will collect the culture.

Why Is A Quarantine Necessary?

Invisible fungal spores spread ringworm. These abound once fully-fledged ringworm has invaded your cat, therefore you will need to eliminate spores to prevent re-infection and to protect your other animals and YOU.

So while cat ringworm can be treated on an out-patient basis with anti-fungal medications, isolating your cat is a key part of the treatment in order to decrease the likelihood of spreading the infection.

How Long Should Your Cat Be Quarantined?

cat quarantineThat depends on the individual cat’s response to treatment and his overall health. Treatment usually lasts about 5-6 weeks, although this time period can be longer for some cats. In terms of quarantine, it is important to treat her ringworm aggressively by isolating for 2-4 weeks. You will be the best judge of your cat’s progress (by visually seeing, or not seeing, ringworm outbreaks). You need to continue getting ringworm cultures periodically until your cat is no longer infected.

Tips For Getting Rid of Ringworm

cat ringworm

Banixx Pet Care Spray

Ringworm spores are pesky and persistent. They need to be on skin to live. They can lie dormant in the environment and can be viable for years if they’re not killed or removed. It’s so important to de-contaminate the environment. Here are some tips:

  • Use a disinfectant cleaner to wipe surfaces. Spray the cleaner and let it sit for 10 minutes. Wipe the area clean. Apple cider vinegar or bleach, depending on what surface you are treating. Note: Lysol is NOT pet friendly.
  • If you can afford it, hire professional steam-cleaners to clean carpets. Otherwise, use carpet shampoo, let it sit, and then vacuum.
  • Wash food and water bowls with disinfectant soap. Don’t let your animals share them.
  • Vacuum and clean all surfaces every few days. Dispose of the vacuum bags after use. They may harbor fungal spores.
  • Get rid of all cleaning cloths after use or immediately wash in a bleach solution.
  • Throw away all items you think may be infected and cannot be cleaned.
  • Wash all towels, bedding and clothing twice with bleach.
  • Wash your hands immediately. Tell your family, especially children, to do the same. It’s a good idea to wear disposable gloves when cleaning.
  • Wear separate clothing when in contact with infected animals. Wash clothing immediately in hot water. Use the highest setting on your dryer. Wear rubber footwear so you don’t pick up and spread the ringworm spores.
  • Don’t use the same brush to groom several cats. Buy plastic ones and wash them in hot water. Disinfectant soap after each use.
  • As a key to preventing the spread of ringworm in your household, bathe all your cats, kittens and other pets (even if they don’t show any symptoms of ringworm) using medicated shampoo.

How to Treat Ringworm

cat ear infectionAs a potent anti-fungal treatment, Banixx Pet Care is a powerful way to help cats, kittens and other animal get rid of the dreaded ringworm fungus. To use it, simply soak a cotton ball with Banixx and apply it to affected area (wear disposable gloves). You need to do this two to three times daily during the ringworm infection.

You can use Banixx Medicated Shampoo for all your animals to control and prevent the spread of ringworm. It’s gentle yet highly effective. Banixx will not dry out the skin, and it doesn’t burn or have an offensive odor to frighten your cat.

Not only do the anti-fungal properties in Banixx products ensure that the ringworm cannot survive, but Banixx also provides soothing relief from itching and pain, is safe to use around the eyes, and contains no toxins or steroids.

We hope you found this article helpful and if your cat ever gets any cuts, abrasions, ear infections or ringworm, we hope you keep Banixx Pet Care in mind. For more information on how to keep your cat happy and healthy, visit our cat page. Check out related blog answering if it’s okay to pet a cat with ringworm. 

Sources

  • https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/ringworm-in-cats
  • https://www.makelifenatural.net/long-isolate-cat-ringworm/
  • https://www.petmd.com/cat/conditions/skin/c_ct_dermatophytosis%20
  • https://novacatclinic.com/my-cat-has-ringworm-will-i-get-it/
  • https://www.petmd.com/dog/general-health/how-quarantine-your-pet
  • https://wingsbirdpro.com/2019/02/how-long-to-quarantine-cat-ringworm-remedy/

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