ringworm in cats and humans

I found that my antifungal cream has the same active ingredient and % as the cat medication.
Can I use my over the counter cream on the cat? It's much cheaper.

[Mrs_Savas]

Pat yourself on the back, you figured out one of the best kept secrets of vets everywhere!  

You don't need the expensive anti-fungal ringworm cream that they will want to sell you!
What you do need is a vets diagnosis, especially if it's the first time your cat has had a skin condition


I work with stray and abandoned cats, so I see a lot of ringworm.  I just use a generic brand cream from the grocery store!  However, there are a couple of things to remember.  One is that you don't want your cat licking the cream off - this is because it shouldn't be eaten, but also because it is only effective if it can absorb into the skin.  So, try to rub it well into the affected spots and try not to leave excess in the fur that your cat will want to get rid of.  That said, though, be sure to use enough.

Which brings me to my last tip:  make sure you get every little spot because ringworm spreads quickly and it won't help to cure one spot if three more crop up.  

Just be thorough and careful with the cream and your cat's ringworm should clear right up within days.

If it doesn't clear up or at least show real signs of improvement within a couple of days, stop using it and get a vets second opinion.  If for any reason you think that the cream is making things worse then immediately stop using it - it can mean that your cat is allergic to the cream or that it wasn't ringworm in the first place.  Sometimes vets mistake other skin conditions for ringworm, it happens.

Good luck!