AAHHHH........Ringworm strikes our house!

[jenluckenbach]

Not fun!

Since there is always the possibility that you brought it out of Taz's room, the first thing I would suggest is to treat the other cats with Program pills. And just keep a watch for possible signs of it on them. (but adults are often not too susceptible to it.) I had over 15 cats exposed to my one foster with ringworm and only 2 ever showed symptoms.

After bathing Taz and/or putting cream onhis sore aras, wash with betadine. Soap and water will not kill the spores.

Just make sure to stick with the treatment/meds for the full 4 weeks.

You'll get through this. Many of us have.

[jennielynn1970]

Ditto on what Jen L. said.

Ringworm is a SPORE. It is AIRBORNE.

You, and the other kitties, did not have to touch Taz in order to get Ringworm.

This spread from room to room in our shelter. Some had it, some did not. Usually our immune suppressed kitties got it first and the worse. There is a spray that we also used on the shelter kitties to help with the affected area.

Definitely get the pill for the other two. It may be costly, but it will be worth it.

[catmandu]

No thats one thing that has never hit the Hotel so all we can offer is our prayers.We are praying being isolated doesnt depress Taz too much.

[Catlady711]

Ringworm is a cousin to athlete's foot fungus and we typically see more of it at the hospital in warm humid weather (we've had several cases this week already).

There used to be a pill that helped heal the skin from the inside out but the manufacturer quit making it (probably because it worked and they didn't sell as much).

I'm curious, what tests did your vet run that took several days to get results? At our hospital we typically do skin scrapings (results read in minutes) or use a Wood's light (a black light that floresces if ringworm is present). Just curious how other hospitals do things, no slam on your vet intended.

[Catsnclay]

I'm curious, what tests did your vet run that took several days to get results? At our hospital we typically do skin scrapings (results read in minutes) or use a Wood's light (a black light that floresces if ringworm is present). Just curious how other hospitals do things, no slam on your vet intended.

Actually 2 1/2 weeks ago when we first got him and brought him in they did do the black light exam, and found nothing. Same with the exam on Monday, they used the black light and nothing. Then she pulled a few pieces of hair with the root, put under a microscope, nothing. Then she pulled a few more hairs & roots and put it in the little bottle that had a lite yellowish goo, it was to sit in it for 3 days and if it turns red - ringworm. Yep, it was red

Actually I was the one that started breaking out with these read dots on my chest and upper arms and neck (can you see where Taz had been?!) So I went to the doctor and she told me it was due to the heat (huh?!) then we told her we had a new kitten, and she was the one that suggested we have him retested.

I have to be extremly careful with things like this.....my imune system is bad, I have had both hips replaced numerous times, and I can't afford to get an infection because it will go straight to the hips, and that will mean more surgery for me! So I'm the one that everyone is worried about - we know the cat and the ringworm will get cleared up, but I most likely will need to be put on antibiotics and steroid creams to clear this up.......what a mess.

We will get throught this.............

[jazzcat]

Oh no, I'm so sorry to hear it. We went through that with Jazz when we first adopted her. She had ringworm along with a horrible URI. She was quarantined for 5 weeks. Richard got one ringworm spot on his forehead. It grossed him out so badly that he jumped in the pool and held a chlorine tablet to it for several minutes. He did that about four different times over an hour and the spot was dried up and gone in a couple of days. Not that I'm recommending you do that but just thought I would share.

[kt_luvs_kitties]

I have a full bottle of ringworm dip. If you would like it, you can have it. Just let me know... Ringworm is NEVER fun...

Good thoughts coming for a quick and easy recovery, and NO SPREADING!!!

[Catlady711]

Actually 2 1/2 weeks ago when we first got him and brought him in they did do the black light exam, and found nothing. Same with the exam on Monday, they used the black light and nothing. Then she pulled a few pieces of hair with the root, put under a microscope, nothing. Then she pulled a few more hairs & roots and put it in the little bottle that had a lite yellowish goo, it was to sit in it for 3 days and if it turns red - ringworm. Yep, it was red

Actually I was the one that started breaking out with these read dots on my chest and upper arms and neck (can you see where Taz had been?!) So I went to the doctor and she told me it was due to the heat (huh?!) then we told her we had a new kitten, and she was the one that suggested we have him retested.

I have to be extremly careful with things like this.....my imune system is bad, I have had both hips replaced numerous times, and I can't afford to get an infection because it will go straight to the hips, and that will mean more surgery for me! So I'm the one that everyone is worried about - we know the cat and the ringworm will get cleared up, but I most likely will need to be put on antibiotics and steroid creams to clear this up.......what a mess.

We will get throught this.............

Thanx for answering my question. Since I've worked at the hospital I've never seen a test like that done, course that's not saying they haven't run one on my day off though. I always find it interesting to see what methods other places use since I have never worked for another hospital than this one.

I hope you and your furbaby heal up quickly and no one else gets the ringworm!!

[krazyaboutkatz]

Bunny, I'm so sorry to hear this. I hope that both you and Taz will recover quickly and that no one else will get this. I gave all of my cats the program pills when Starr had it and no one else ever got it. Good luck.

[Catsnclay]

There is a spray that we also used on the shelter kitties to help with the affected area.

Jenn, do you happen to know the name of the spray they use? My vet suggested just plain bleach/water and spray it every where.

I do think we are on the down side of this, the ringworm seems to only be on his tail in 2 places, but we bathed all of him the other night - just to be sure. While cleaning out his room he dried off pretty quickly.

Luckily 'his' room was just tiled - no carpet any where - whew! And we took out the excersie machine (cleaned it down real good) so the only thing left in that room is Taz, litterbox, cage, food dishes and toys - they furry toys were taken away & the other toys were washed.

Now, HOW do I get it out of the room??? Or will the spraying of bleach water, and mopping with it daily will do that?

BTW- thanks Candace for searching out all the other threads for me - they were very helpful!! Thanks!

And thanks to everyone else for their suggestions - I do think we will get through this, just wondering what is next for this little guy??!!

[jenluckenbach]

Malaseb spray (or anything with miconazol in it)

See here

http://www.petsupplies4less.com/Mala...-pr--012DVM018

[sirrahbed]

Bunny - the bleach and water solution kills just about everything - just spray it on and don't wipe off....or at least let it stand for a couple minutes. I just left it to dry. Instead of mixing a weak solution, you might try something like Clorox Anywhere spray - this is what I keep on hand.

When we were fighting ringworm this past spring, I finally scrapped the shampoos and oral medicine because it was just too traumatic for everyone. Instead, I bought the Program and treated everyone once and Emily twice as she was the one with the active ringworm.
There are two sites I found that I keep bookmarked are as follows:
Ringworm FAQ
Ringworm battle plan

This is frustrating but it will go away. It will! Good wishes to you my friend. (((HUGS)))