Anyone recognise this on dcat's face and paws

[ChristineBaskets]

Dcat has been coming home with scratches on his face for weeks. At first we thought it was from fighting next door's cat, then wondered if it might be from going in the brambles after mice. Rarely see him scratching. Then he started to get sores on his toes too, and I do see him lick these sometimes.

Took him to the vet this week and she says can't see any fleas, she used a uv light on him to detect fungus and reported it was 'pretty much' positive so likely ringworm, although she didn't sound convinced. She suggested we try human athlete's foot cream (without zinc as poisonous) for 2-3 weeks or send off a skin sample for testing which would be £30 on top of the £30 for the appointment. I'm trying not to throw too much money at this but obviously my main concern is dcat's comfort. He seems perfectly well in himself.

We have foxes in our garden (albeit healthy looking ones) so he could have caught it from them.

Does anyone have any advice or recognise this please?

[HuggedTheRedwoods]

A colleagues cat had ringworm and was told by the vet it was also contagious between cats and humans (and dogs too if I remember correctly as I think he kept them in separate rooms until sorted) so I'd definitely be trying the cream to start with and also make the investment in the test for your own sake as well as helping fix puss. As your vet has recommended something over the counter to try, maybe ask your chemists advice for a generic version?

[ChristineBaskets]

Yes she did say we should use gloves when applying the cream so as not to spread the spores. I think if any of us or the dog had it too I'd be more convinced it's ringworm but we don't.

If dcat has caught it from foxes in the garden he could presumably catch it straight back again after we've treated it.

[YetAnotherSpartacus]

I'd do the skin test for DCat's sake and comfort.

[Lonecatwithkitten]

There is a really effective oral treatment for ringworm in cats on prescription. I am not certain why your vets hasn't recommended that.
As PP have said it is zoonotic so I would get it confirmed and get an effective treatment.