Ringworm (dermatophytosis) is a highly contagious fungal infection of the skin that can cause shelter outbreaks affecting many cats and requiring prolonged management.
Ringworm causes significant welfare problems in shelter settings. Affected cats require strict quarantine, prolonged treatment, and daily handling for dips and medication. The isolation required disrupts socialisation, particularly in kittens during sensitive developmental periods. The treatment process itself — lime sulfur dips — can be aversive. Extended shelter stays increase stress. Modern shelter medicine approaches emphasise fast, accurate diagnosis with dermatophyte PCR testing and systematic whole-ward treatment to clear outbreaks efficiently.