Here we go again.... RINGWORM!!! Arrrg!

[kimlovescats]

It's always something!!! All the babies and Pepper have RINGWORM now!!! Thankfully ringworm will go away on its own in a month or so ... but this will hurt their adoption chances! So far only Rebecca doesn't show much signs of it ... but she has already been exposed, so she most likely does have it. Maybe her immune system is better and will not get as severe of a case?

Well, looks like we are going to be FULL for the holidays! I had already decided not to take in any new cats for a good while ... maybe even "forever" ... guess this pretty well confirms that decision!

Oh, and yes, I have a spot on my inner arm too ..... so I have no doubt what it is. Well, at least this is something I can empathize with along with the kitties! Joy, joy!

[catnapper]

{{{HUGS}}}} Sorry to hear about this. Please don't say that you won't be taking more cats in... you know you won't keep that promise! Cats4keeps just started!

[kimlovescats]

Originally posted by catnapper
{{{HUGS}}}} Sorry to hear about this. Please don't say that you won't be taking more cats in... you know you won't keep that promise! Cats4keeps just started!

I appreciate that, Kim ... but losing Tucker was a big SLAM .... I don't think I can continue. I currently have 21 cats here, total of rescues and my own cats .... I simply don't have any more room in "the inn"!!! The kittens (six of them) would have been adoptable, but by the time they clear this ringworm, they will be bigger ... and we know how that hurts their chances!

[NoahsMommy]

No!! Oh how frustrating for you, Kim!



I'll be saying healing prayers over here for a quick recovery!

[moosmom]

Kim,

Ringworm, as you know, is highly contagious. Keep the babies isolated together in one room. If Rebecca is older, chances are she won't get it. Older cats immune systems have a way of fighting it off.

Go to the drugstore (ask the pharmacist which one is best) and get athelete's foot cream and apply it to them three times a day. Wear rubber gloves at all times and wash your hands (I'm sure you know this).

My RB baby Marina Mar (1999) had it on her ears. It took almost 3 months to finally clear up. My daughter and I took turns sleeping in the room with her so she wouldn't get lonely.

Please don't get down on yourself. Things like this happen. I know it seems hopeless at times, especially when you have so many cats. But you guys will be in my thoughts and prayers.

[kimlovescats]

Donna.... I have had the ringworm here before .... about this time last year .... I don't know why I was so shocked... those darn spores can live a year or more! Only thing "good" about it, is that once a kitty has it ... if it has another flare up, it's not as bad. I guess that is some consolation? I wonder what the heck they do at all the high kill shelters? SURELY to goodness they don't freak out and pts!!???

[kt_luvs_kitties]

Oh Kim, I am so sorry this is all happening to you I just hate ringworm and I know how sad it is to watch them itch, and you itch as well. Hopefully the kitties will have NO PROBLEM getting adopted out, Christmas time is the perfect time for parents to get a kitty. Again I am so sorry about this, if it is not one thing, its another
Hopefully in time you will be able to save many more kitties/cats lives , and this all will be in the past. Dont look back, we ALL admire you very much for all that you do. I know you probably dont get enough credit for all of the hard work, time and money that you put out daily for homeless animals. I wish their were more people just like you. *HUGS* Katie

[kimlovescats]

Thank you, Katie. I just feel like some people probably judge me and think why in the world I don't have better separation? Well, I don't have the room! What I would like for people to realize, is that I don't stand on the street corner, dragging home every cat that wanders by. I get pitiful phone calls, always I am their "last hope" before going to the pound. I have recently turned down several calls, even for bottle babies ... and that nearly killed me to do! I have to figure that life here, in a less than perfectly germ-free environment sure beats the streets or the filthy death tank of a pound! I hope I am right.

[moosmom]

I wonder what the heck they do at all the high kill shelters? SURELY to goodness they don't freak out and pts!!???

I hate to remind you of the "Needle Queen" at the Dearborn Animal Shelter.

http://petoftheday.com/talk/showthre...t=Needle+happy

[kt_luvs_kitties]

I completely understand. You do all that you can possibly do for them all , but sometimes, it is just IMPOSSIBLE to help them all. I know how hard it is to just say I cant do it right now, BUT dont ever feel bad for the work that you have and do continue to do. Think about it this way, Look around your house, see all of those cats? I am pretty sure none of them would be as happy anywhere else as they are with you. You spend time with them, provide food/shelter/medical care for all that you can. Who could expect any more than that? I would never look down on ANYONE who does all that they can, you do more than most! I dont/am not able to take anymore in at this time, and I feel bad, BUT I know that I have made the ones I have lives better, and I feel good for that. And you are right, it is DEF. better than a trip to the pound. And I am sure you know by now, that some people will say anything they can to make you feel bad/guilty to get animals off their hands, ya know? Dont always believe what people say, because who knows what they are trying to pull.
And for the seperation of animals, you cant help that. I understand and I am sure everyone else knows that when you rescue, sometimes serperation ISNT an option. It is better than being outside or locked in a bathroom with cages stacked onto each other. You do your best, and I hope that you know that. I do.

[catcrazylady]

Kim you are right! I know there are a lot of people here who volunteer or have been to some really nice shelters where the cats roam free and are very well cared for. The sad fact is that is not the norm. My shelter is a very good place with great vet care and lots of food and bedding but they still live in tiny cages and some of them will be there for years if not their whole life. I have the 7 to 9 ferals that come here and eat and I know people think I should trap them and get them to the shelter. I will get them fixed but I won't leave them there. The ferals will never be adopted because no one has the time to spend working with them. People only want the cuddly cats and that is not what they will get with these. I sometimes wonder if I'm wrong by not doing more for them but I wouldn't wish that cage life on any of them. I do my best to provide them with shelter, lots of straw for warmth, all the food they can eat, and fresh water. I pray that I am doing the right thing because I know their lives may be shortened because of this. It's so hard to know if a few short years of freedom is better than many years going stir crazy in a small cage. It comes down the famous question of Quality versus Quantity.
I'm so sorry you are going through this but thankfully it will pass. You will know when the time is right if you should take in any more or not. Just give yourself time because your grief for Tucker is still very fresh. Besides, you can't take anymore now anyway with ringworm. That should give you a breather and help you figure out what is right for you and your family.
Maybe this is a good thing because you need a break. Miracles come in all forms you know!

[kimlovescats]

Thank you, Katie!

[kimlovescats]

Originally posted by catcrazylady
Kim you are right! I know there are a lot of people here who volunteer or have been to some really nice shelters where the cats roam free and are very well cared for. The sad fact is that is not the norm. My shelter is a very good place with great vet care and lots of food and bedding but they still live in tiny cages and some of them will be there for years if not their whole life. I have the 7 to 9 ferals that come here and eat and I know people think I should trap them and get them to the shelter. I will get them fixed but I won't leave them there. The ferals will never be adopted because no one has the time to spend working with them. People only want the cuddly cats and that is not what they will get with these. I sometimes wonder if I'm wrong by not doing more for them but I wouldn't wish that cage life on any of them. I do my best to provide them with shelter, lots of straw for warmth, all the food they can eat, and fresh water. I pray that I am doing the right thing because I know their lives may be shortened because of this. It's so hard to know if a few short years of freedom is better than many years going stir crazy in a small cage. It comes down the famous question of Quality versus Quantity.
I'm so sorry you are going through this but thankfully it will pass. You will know when the time is right if you should take in any more or not. Just give yourself time because your grief for Tucker is still very fresh. Besides, you can't take anymore now anyway with ringworm. That should give you a breather and help you figure out what is right for you and your family.
Maybe this is a good thing because you need a break. Miracles come in all forms you know!

Oh, Lisa ... thank you so much for understanding. It IS a question of quality over quantity ... at least that is what I believe! I have to also rely on my Faith in God, to show me what is right and to give me the nudge to help me to know when and how to stop.

I know alot of people hear ringworm and freak out. Unless there is something I don't know about .... it's not that bad. I mean, yes it is itchy and yucky ... but it goes away and it is not life threatening. Trust me, after seeing what Feline Leukemia and FIP can do ... ringworm is nothing in comparison. Yes, people can and do get it as well ... I have a spot right now ... but unless you have a really compromised immune system .... then it really isn't too bad either. If I am wrong somehow...someone please enlighten me!!!

I think I am seriously getting to the point of not even posting anymore about my rescue work, Lisa. I just can't take the stress of worrying so much what everyone is thinking! No one has said anything ugly or judgemental .... so don't think that ... but I just have always hated feeling like I need to be justified by others! You know?

Well, enough blabbing!

Love ya!
Kim

[AbbyMom]

We only feel admiration, Kim.

And I, for one, love to hear about your rescue work.

Hope that ringworm heals fast!

[QueenScoopalot]

Kim, It isn't your fault in any way that the kitties have ringworm. It happens, and it isn't life threatening, but a nuisance many of us have dealt with. I have used a Lym-Sulpher dip(http://www1.revivalanimal.com/index....&Product_ID=46) with great success when ringworm hit here a few years ago. It makes the kitties smell like rotton eggs, but works very well. The 16 ounce bottle goes a long way, and it usually takes 2-3 dips to erradicate ringworm. I use cotton balls around faces, and ears etc, but it really gets in between toes etc. I'd dip the kittens and then put them in a warm towel to dry off slightly, and then set them in front of a space heater in a carrier until they were all dry. I've also done the fulvicin route as well, but it's not the safest way to erradicate it on kittens, as it can affect organs. Is there a place you can isolate them to prevent it from spreading anymore? Not to alarm you, but be very careful of the baby being near the infested kitties. It can really hit infants, and children hard. Stock up on those silly round Bandaids which are excellent for covering lesions on humans. A dab of conafite, other cream that kills it, will keep it from spreading on you as well. Hang in there...things will get better.