Fungal Culture Question

Hi everyone,
The vet noticed a bald patch on my cats left leg earlier this week. He did the woods lamp test and it fluoresced so he decided to do a fungal culture test to check what type of fungal infection it is. He told me it’ll take 48 hours to one week. When I called him after 48 hours, he said there’s growth in the culture but he still cannot be sure so he’ll wait until a week has passed.
Does this mean that my poor cat has ringworm or is there a chance it’s another type of fungal infection?
I’m really worried about him because I’m away from home and one of my parents said if it is ringworm, they’ll take him to be put down. Speaking of that, do vets normally take an infected cat in until he recovers?
Thank you all so much in advance for your answers! And keep my kitty in your prayers!

Hello. A skin fungal infection does not have to be ringworm (for example, it could a form of yeast infection). The problem with many fungal infections, they can require disinfecting the household during the treatment period. For the most part topical treatments are the first course of action to treat the affected areas.

And, typically, as far as I know, there is no/limited boarding options for a cat that is diagnosed with ringworm - and, I would guess the same applies for other similar fungal infections because of their ability to thrive in the environment of the cat - and be spread to other animals in close quarters.

I am sorry for you circumstances, and hope that whatever the infection may be it is not one that requires so much work that your parents would rather put your kitty down than to take care of him. Perhaps, you can find another family member, or close friend, that might be willing to take care of your little guy?

Some fungal issues can be related to cat being allowed outdoors (e.g.; soil) . Once you find out what it is, and if it could have been contracted by allowing your buddy outdoors, you might want to reconsider doing so in the future - assuming you have any control over that since you are away from home.

To my knowledge a positive woods lamp test (fluoresced candy apple green) is a pretty good confirmation for ringworm. I don't know of any other fungus that will so I'm not sure why the culture is necessary, though it can take up to a week to get determinable results. Ringworm is not cause for euthanasia, though it is a pain to remove from the animal and home and reinfection is likely