Cat ringworm in Pakistan: symptoms, Itrafungol treatment and human safety (2026)

Ringworm (*Dermatophytosis*) is one of the most widespread skin infections among pet cats in Pakistan. Despite its name, ringworm is not caused by a worm; it is a fungal infection of keratinized tissues including hair shafts, skin, and claws.

Persian cats and young kittens bought from crowded pet markets in Empress Market Karachi or Tollinton Market Lahore are especially vulnerable due to developing immune systems and humid housing conditions.

بلیوں میں فنگل انفیکشن (Ringworm) کی علامات اور علاج

بلیوں میں رنگ ورم گول، سرخ، اور بالوں سے خالی دھبوں کی صورت میں ظاہر ہوتا ہے جو عام طور پر کانوں، چہرے اور پنجوں پر ہوتے ہیں۔ یہ فنگس انسانوں میں بھی منتقل ہو سکتی ہے۔ علاج کے لیے ویٹرنری ڈاکٹر کی ہدایت کے مطابق اینٹی فنگل شیمپو (Ketoconazole)، مرہم اور ضرورت پڑنے پر منہ کے ذریعے دی جانے والی دوا (Itraconazole) استعمال کی جاتی ہے۔ گھر کی صفائی اور بلی کو قرنطینہ کرنا ضروری ہے۔

Identifying ringworm symptoms in cats

Ringworm spores invade the hair follicle, causing the hair shaft to break off at the skin level. Look for these hallmark signs:

- Circular bald patches: Round, crusty areas of hair loss, most commonly on ears, face, paws, and tail.

- Cigarette ash scaling: Flaky, dandruff-like gray scales across the coat.

- Red inflamed borders: Raised reddish edges around the thinning patch.

- Mild to moderate scratching: The cat may groom excessively around affected spots.

Effective treatment protocol in Pakistan

Eradicating feline ringworm requires a dual approach combining topical and systemic antifungal therapy:

1. Systemic oral medication

- Itraconazole (Itrafungol / Canditral): The gold standard veterinary antifungal. Dosed based on body weight under strict veterinary supervision.

- Avoid generic human ketoconazole tablets in cats due to elevated risk of liver toxicity.

2. Topical medicated washes

- Bathe the cat every 3 to 4 days with a 2 percent Chlorhexidine and 2 percent Ketoconazole shampoo (such as Malaseb or local veterinary equivalent).

- Apply topical clotrimazole or terbinafine cream to localized isolated spots on the nose and ears.

Preventing transmission to humans (Zoonotic safety)

Ringworm is highly contagious to human adults and children:

1. Isolate the infected cat: Keep the pet in an easily sanitized room with tiled floors (such as a spare bathroom or utility room) during the 3 to 5 week treatment cycle.

2. Wear gloves when handling: Use disposable gloves during grooming, medicating, and washing.

3. Disinfect household surfaces: Vacuum rugs thoroughly and wipe hard surfaces with a diluted bleach solution (1 part household bleach to 10 parts water) to kill resilient fungal spores.