Ringworm in multiple cat household - update 9/27

**Lizzie** · 08-29-2006, 09:53 AM

As many of you know, ReachoutRescue is dealing with 3 kittens with ringworm. I just found out this morning that I have one kitten with ringworm, and myself. The kitten went into immediate isolation and I've taken the morning off work in order to start a major laundry and housecleaning, and take the kitten and his siblings to the vet. I can see from the web sites I've visited that treatment is quite a long haul for cats. I also found out that the drug I was given years ago is no longer available to cats, due to commercial reasons! I don't want to imagine this going through my household, I would feel that I was going mad.

My only experiences with ringworm have been when I had only one cat, and when I fostered a cat that I knew ahead of time had the infection and I practiced isolation nursing on him immediately. Have any of you dealt with this where you found one cat in a multiple cat household has ringworm? Did you treat all the others even if they were symptom free? Did cats who didn't have any or had little contact with the infected cat get ringworm?

**catnapper** · 08-29-2006, 10:04 AM

I know Jen had it last year. She's at work now, but I'm sure she'll be happy to tell you about her ringworm woes. You might do a search to find out too - she posted a lot on here about it.

**Laura's Babies** · 08-29-2006, 10:44 AM

The only experience I have with them is I had out of state company one time that brought her cat... After she went home she called to tell me her cat had them and to watch my cats... I already had one on my leg and couldn't figure out where I got it from but my cats didn't get them and I think she was there about a week with her cat.

**kuhio98** · 08-29-2006, 10:45 AM

Yeppers, it was Jen who had 20+ cats to treat.
From Jen's threads, it sounds like you're in for a world of fun....

http://petoftheday.com/talk/showthre...light=ringworm

http://petoftheday.com/talk/showthre...light=ringworm

http://petoftheday.com/talk/showthre...light=ringworm

http://petoftheday.com/talk/showthre...light=ringworm

http://petoftheday.com/talk/showthre...light=ringworm

**Lizzie** · 08-29-2006, 11:25 AM

Swear! Swear! Curse! Curse! Double Curse!

I just read through the posts from Jen, thank you Lisa.

I just stripped the living room of comforters, throws, blankets, cushions, pillows, etc. and the mound filled the shower staff in the bathroom where I have my washing machine. I've always had loads of comforting soft stuff for the cats to snuggle into and now I'm really going to be paying the price. I will spray clean surfaces as much as I can before I leave for work, not Clorox which I don't have because the smell makes me retch. That kitten has been everywhere, but eveywhere, never keeps still. The vet doesn't have an opening until 3:20pm and I have to go work since my boss is out on vacation and was relying on my being there every day while she is out. I was about to say that it never rains, but it pours when I looked out of the window, and there it is - raining!

If the ringworm has spread to downstairs via me, then I don't know what I'm going to do because I have three barely social ferals there.

I don't know where the ringworm came from since I've had the kittens for about 6 weeks, but the fungus is everywhere so I could have brought it into the house.

**Killearn Kitties** · 08-29-2006, 11:31 AM

Very best of luck in dealing with it. It sounds an awful lot of work.

**Maya & Inka's mommy** · 08-29-2006, 12:48 PM

My cats had ringworm too! A few weeks after we brought Zazou home from the shelter, Inka and Maya got ringworm. Zazou was a carrier!! My hubby also had 2 spots on his cheek!
I had to give all 3 cats bath , every 5 days (4 times!!

)

Those baths were a real nightmare ...

Have fun....

**Lizzie** · 08-29-2006, 12:53 PM

Thanks, everyone, for telling me about your living nightmares and rather gleefully looking forward to me posting pictures of multiple wet cats!! Well, I wondered how I was going to lose that last 10 pounds that seemed to be sitting around my middle and not wanting to budge, guess it will all go from cleaning and cat baths. I'm not going to do this alone, even though it will cost me. I know a tech who can subdue any cat and I will hire her to come and help me. I'd rather lose the money than my arms.

**rg_girlca** · 08-29-2006, 02:49 PM

Oh No Lizzie, not you too. Poor you. Prayers on the way that it clears up soon and that no other kitties get it.

**kimlovescats** · 08-29-2006, 08:14 PM

Here is a bit I found online:
Ringworm is a fungus, and not a worm. While mildly contagious to humans, ringworm isn't as bad as many people think, so don't panic! Ringworm is not dangerous to cats, or to humans except for young children, the elderly, and people with compromised immune systems. It typically appears as a roundish bald spot commonly found around a cat's face, ears, head, paws, and tail accompanied by scabby, reddish or grayish welts.

Common treatments include twice or more daily applications of over-the-counter anti-fungal creams to the affected spots. An Anti-flea medication called Program® (Lufenuron) may also be effective in treating Ringworm, but its use is "off label". Your vet can ask the manufacturer (Novartis) to fax the studies and dosage information. Lime dips, and other prescribed medications may be worth reserving for more serious cases.

In humans, ringworm looks like round reddish welts. Avoid sun exposure to the welts, and apply anti-fungal cream on and around the welts at least twice a day. Consult your doctor if you're concerned or if the welts are spreading.

.................

I had a small ringworm outbreak in my kennel a few years back, I gave a few baths, applied some spray anti-fungal on some areas, anti-fungal creams on others, and let it run its course. I know many people panic over it, but it's not all that bad .... ugly, but not harmful or life-threatening. I would much rather have a ringworm outbreak than a coccidia outbreak!!!!

Good luck, and try not to stress too much over this!

Hugs,
Kim

**Lizzie** · 08-29-2006, 11:49 PM

The problem is, I do have cats with compromised immune systems - my FIV+ boys, and so I really need to battle the infection. If I didn't have them, I would be more laid back about the problem.

You raise an interesting question though and I'm going to post a new thread in Cat Health asking why people who have cats with healthy immune systems treat ringworm since the medication can damage the liver, and have other side effects.

**kimlovescats** · 08-30-2006, 12:20 AM

Originally Posted by Lizzie

The problem is, I do have cats with compromised immune systems - my FIV+ boys, and so I really need to battle the infection. If I didn't have them, I would be more laid back about the problem.

You raise an interesting question though and I'm going to post a new thread in Cat Health asking why people who have cats with healthy immune systems treat ringworm since the medication can damage the liver, and have other side effects.

You are right, with the FIV+ kitties I would be more concerned with the outbreak having more of an affect on them! My vet told me about the liver and kidney risks with the medication, so I opted to try local treatment and thankfully that was all I needed!

**Reachoutrescue** · 08-30-2006, 01:06 AM

Lizzie, I know what you are going through...I have three kits here with ringworm. I am worried my boys are going to get it....let's hope we are in the clear. Keep me posted, and I will do the same.