Ringworm diagnosis is difficult in felines by a simple look at the lesion.
However, there are some successful testing methods that can certainly help.
A common and successful method of diagnosis is with a specialized light known as Wood's lamp.
There are several such species of the fungus responsible to cause ringworm that glows when exposed to Wood's lamp.
However, this method is not completely foolproof due to the fact that half of the common variety of the species M.
canis does not show any fluorescence while exposed to a Wood's lamp and the T.
mentagrophytes does not show any fluoresce at all.
Another noticeable fact is that even a healthy animal can have these spores on their coat even without any active infection.
Another more effective method is to pluck some hairs from the lesion's periphery and then examine it under a microscope.
This method to examine and diagnose feline ringworm infection has shown a success rate of forty to seventy percent.
The most dependable method for diagnosing ringworm infection in cats is the collecting of crust and scales from the coat or the skin followed by performing fungal culture on them.
The veterinarian will ideally use a toothbrush for collecting scales and hair sample for culturing.
You get special mediums for performing such cultures to identify a ringworm infection.
Any cat found with a ringworm infection needs to be checked for any pertaining fundamental disease that maybe the reason for a risen risk of this infection.
There are multiple methodologies followed to treat cats and kittens with ringworm infection.
If the cat or the kitten is otherwise healthy and with short hair, an antifungal ointment such as thiabendazole or miconazole can be applied on the lesion for an effective treatment.
A thorough diagnosis and treatment of underlying disease if any, is as well necessary, including a good nutrition and proper care and prevention for the disease from spreading to other pets and humans alike.