How Animal Shelters Are Beating Ringworm (And Yours Can, Too!)
It’s true that ringworm presents a number of challenges in a shelter or foster care environment, particularly because it’s a disease that can be transmitted to humans. But much of the “conventional wisdom” about treating and preventing ringworm outbreaks is outdated, or based on myths and misunderstandings. In this webcast, Karen Moriello, DVM, DACVD, Clinical Associate Professor of Dermatology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, School of Veterinary Medicine, presents an overview of cutting-edge information on feline ringworm in shelters, including best practices for treatment and disinfectant protocols, and how to manage and prevent outbreaks.
- 1.
Microsporum canis is the most important fungal pathogen of cats and the major pathogen in outbreaks of dermatophytosis in shelters. All of the following statements are true about M. canis. Why is this disease, unlike many other diseases, of such importance in shelters?
- A.
This is a highly contagious and infectious disease.
- B.
It is treatable and curable, and rarely is associated with mortality.
- C.
Risk factors for infection include age extremes, crowding, stress, and pre-existing or predisposing medical conditions.
- D.
It is a disease of public health concern.
- E.
Infected animals can shed infective material into the environment.
Correct Answer
D. It is a disease of public health concern. -
- 2.
Predisposing factors to infection in a shelter include:
- A.
Crowding
- B.
Humidity
- C.
Decreases in coat hygiene by cats
- D.
Other diseases which can cause microtrauma to the skin
- E.
All of the above
Correct Answer
E. All of the above -
- 3.
The naturally infective state of M. canis is hairs and ectothrix spores. These spores are shed into the environment. All of the following are true except for one statement:
- A.
Infective spores are small and easily transmitted throughout an area.
- B.
Spores can be mechanically spread by clothing, brushes, and improperly laundered bedding.
- C.
The most important steps in decontamination are mechanical removal of spores and washing of the area with a detergent followed by thorough rinse.
- D.
Spores can multiply in the environment.
- E.
Spores can remain viable in the environment for up to a year.
Correct Answer
D. Spores can multiply in the environment. -
- 4.
M. canis invades growing hair follicles and keratin (skin) as part of the pathogenesis. The body’s response is to try to rid itself of the infection. Clinical signs are directly related to the pathogenesis of infection and this response to infection. Clinical signs include:
- A.
Increased shedding of hairs.
- B.
Increased scaling and crusting to shed infective scales.
- C.
Erythema of the skin indicating the body’s immune response to the infection.
- D.
Easily broken hairs because the infection damages the normal hair structure.
- E.
All of the above.
Correct Answer
E. All of the above. -
- 5.
A Wood’s lamp examination can identify infective hairs in obvious lesions. It can also help identify infective hairs in lesions that are not obvious. The fluorescence is caused by a metabolite on the hairs that glows when exposed to the Wood’s lamp. You are examining a kitten with a Wood’s lamp examination. It has several lesions. Which of the following best describes a positive Wood’s lamp examination?
- A.
Glowing blue scales on the hair coat.
- B.
Apple green fluorescence of hairs and apple green fluorescence of the bulb of plucked hairs.
- C.
Glowing waxy debris on the chin, in the ears, and on the tail.
- D.
Blue-green glowing of crusts.
- E.
Apple green fluorescence of hair.
Correct Answer
B. Apple green fluorescence of hairs and apple green fluorescence of the bulb of plucked hairs. -
- 6.
Which of the following best describes the correct dilution method for preparing lime sulfur for topical application?
- A.
Fill a one gallon container with water and add 4 oz. of lime sulfur.
- B.
Fill a one gallon container with water and add 8 oz. of lime sulfur.
- C.
Put 8 oz. of lime sulfur in an empty gallon container, then fill the container to the 1 gallon mark with warm water.
- D.
Shake the stock bottle of lime sulfur, put 8 oz. of lime sulfur in an empty container, then fill the container to the 1 gallon mark with warm water.
Correct Answer
D. Shake the stock bottle of lime sulfur, put 8 oz. of lime sulfur in an empty container, then fill the container to the 1 gallon mark with warm water. -
- 7.
The most common fungal culture medium used to diagnosis dematophytosis is Dermatophyte Test Medium. All but one of the following statements describes a suspect pathogen colony.
- A.
Heavily pigmented colonies.
- B.
Pale colonies that produce a red color change around them as they grow.
- C.
Pale colonies that produce no color change around them as they grow.
- D.
Pigmented colonies that produce a red color change around them as they grow.
- E.
Glistening white colonies that produce a red color change around them as they grow.
Correct Answer
B. Pale colonies that produce a red color change around them as they grow. -
- 8.
Which of the following actions will minimize introduction of dermatophytosis into a shelter?
- A.
Skin examination at the time of admission.
- B.
Wood’s lamp examination of all cats at the time of admission and direct examination of glowing hairs.
- C.
Toothbrush screening of all cats in the shelter, or if cost is an issue, of the highest risk population.
- D.
Isolation of suspect cats pending fungal culture with or without prophylactic lime sulfur dip.
- E.
All of the above.
Correct Answer
E. All of the above. -
- 9.
Responding to an outbreak of dermatophytosis involves a number of steps. After performing a walk-through of the shelter, what is the most important “next step”?
- A.
Close the shelter to all incoming cats or establish a “clean break”.
- B.
Perform environmental cultures to establish the level of environmental contamination.
- C.
Separate cats into exposed and unexposed groups.
- D.
Confirm that an outbreak has occurred via examination, Wood’s lamp, and fungal culture.
- E.
Prophylactically treat cats with lime sulfur.
Correct Answer
D. Confirm that an outbreak has occurred via examination, Wood’s lamp, and fungal culture. -
- 10.
An outbreak of dermatophytosis has been confirmed but it is confined to a “kitten room”. A treatment protocol has been decided upon. Cleaning and/or steps to minimize spread include:
- A.
Separate staff wearing protective clothing to care for and socialize the kittens.
- B.
Except for bedding, removal of all non-porous materials from the room and changing of bedding, litterboxes and dishes daily.
- C.
Mechanical removal of debris, washing of floors daily with a detergent and disinfection of the room twice weekly.
- D.
Weekly or biweekly environmental cultures.
- E.
All of the above.
Correct Answer
E. All of the above. -
- 11.
We hope you enjoyed the presentation. A certificate of attendance in your name will be awarded at the end of this quiz. To assure us you have viewed the entire presentation, please check the appropriate box.
- A.
I certify that I have listened to the entire presentation.
- B.
I have not listened to the entire presentation.
Correct Answer
A. I certify that I have listened to the entire presentation. -
Quiz Review Timeline +
Our quizzes are rigorously reviewed, monitored and continuously updated by our expert board to maintain accuracy, relevance, and timeliness.
-
Current Version
-
Sep 03, 2014Quiz Edited by
ProProfs Editorial Team -
Jun 26, 2012Quiz Created by
Back to top