Cases of ringworm in cats are on a sharp rise in Pueblo County. The increase also puts humans at risk of exposure, as the infection can be spread from a pet to its owner.
Patti Canchola is currently a Staff Veterinarian at Pueblo Animal Services. She said this type of increase in ringworm cases is quite rare.
“Probably in the last six years that I’ve been with the shelter, I’ve not seen the frequency of cats that are coming into the shelter with the fungal infection like we’ve seen this year,” she said.
Canchola also said the recent increase may be due to this years’ lack of a bitter cold winter. Thus, the ringworm fungus grows in warm and wet environments.
Cats are typical ringworm carriers and show infection through hair loss. Infected humans will show raised, circular lesions on the skin.
The Pueblo City County Health Department says they have never kept track of ringworm incidents in humans.
If you think you or your cat may have been exposed, Canchola advises contacting your local veterinarian as well as contacting your primary physician.
