If possible, dispose of all pet bedding. If this is not possible, wash with a recommended disinfectant detergent. When purchasing a new cat or dog, Dr. Byrne advises to check the animal's hair carefully. If hair is missing or short, these are clues that ringworm could be present. The patches should be cultured for ringworm before bringing the cat home.
Successful treatment can take several months.
If the environment is contaminated it can be a long-term problem. Although a normal healthy cat can clear up an infection on its own in 3 to 4 months, the threat of reinfection will always exist, says Dr. Byrne. It's better to initiate an aggressive treatment plan to rid a cat or dog of ringworm. A vaccine for ringworm is now being marketed. However, tests at the University of Wisconsin show that the vaccine does not offer protection against infection.