ugh, I think we have a ringworm outbreak...

**sirrahved** · 09-26-2007, 09:07 PM

I noticed a couple of days ago that Iris' ear looked a little balder than it should. I made a mental note to watch it.

Tonight I noticed Muffin has a round bald patch on her leg.

Can people who have dealt with ringworm tell me what to expect? Do I have to be worried about catching it? Will using an anti-fungal shampoo prevent me from catching it on my scalp? Is it hard to treat in animals?

Thanks!

**Craftlady** · 09-26-2007, 09:12 PM

Ringworm is a contagious fungus infection that can affect the scalp, the body, the feet (athlete's foot), or the nails.
People can get Ringworm from: 1) direct skin-to-skin contact with an infected person or pet, 2) indirect contact with an object or surface that an infected person or pet has touched, or 3) rarely, by contact with soil.
Ringworm can be treated with fungus-killing medicine.
To prevent Ringworm, 1) make sure all infected persons and pets get appropriate treatment, 2) avoid contact with infected persons and pets, 3) do not share personal items, and 4) keep common-use areas clean.

Here's a source of good information for treatment
ringworm

**Maya & Inka's mommy** · 09-27-2007, 09:09 AM

Before doing anything, I would get them to see a vet asap!

**sirrahved** · 09-27-2007, 10:00 AM

We have a vet appointment for 9:45 this morning. So glad they could get us in that early, as the rest of our day is jam packed! I couldn't even sleep last night because I was so creepy crawlie. I mainly posted here for some piece of mind until we could get them to the vet. It's not the end of the world, right?

**sirrahved** · 09-27-2007, 11:25 AM

Suggestive of ringworm. *groans*

Back to one of my original questions... if you use anti-fungal shampoo can it prevent you getting it in your hair? That's the only place I couldn't bear to have it.

**jazzcat** · 09-27-2007, 11:33 AM

When we adopted Jazz from the shelter she came in with ringworm (we didn't find out until she was already home). Because she also had a severe URI we had to keep her quarantined in the guest room for 5 weeks until the URI and ringworm had cleared. The vet gave me an ointment to put on her spots twice a day and some kind of liquid med for the ringworm to give her which I found out later from my regular vet that she shouldn't have been on because she was too young. Thank goodness it didn't harm her and for the life of me I can't remember the name of it but I had to get it from a compounding pharmacy in another town and have it mailed to me.

I spent most the time caring for her and never caught it and neither did my dog or other cat but Richard got a suspicious place on his forehead. He freaked out and jumped in the swimming pool and held a chlorine tablet to it for several minutes and the spot dried up and went away the next day. I'm not recommending it as a treatment but...

I think the main reason I didn't get it was because I used Clorox wipes to wipe down everything in the room with her every time I went in - especially the door knob. I washed my hands immediately upon leaving the room with antibacteria soap. I was extremely careful and it paid off.

Good luck. Ringworm is no fun to deal with and you have my sympathies.

**Catsnclay** · 09-27-2007, 11:37 AM

Your mom gave me a BUNCH of sites to look at, I know she still has them bookmarked

As to the shampoo for you, don't bother wasting your money. Just keep your hair clean and the rest of you clean, too!

Wash your hands often - and then do it again!! I also found that a solution of a capful of bleach in a spray bottle (fill the rest with water) and spray down all the areas where the cats have been: beds, litterboxes, etc.

Make sure not only that the cats get Rx's but you too. You will have to see your doctor for one that is much better than OTC drugs.

I have a brand new tube of antifungal cream (they gave us 2) - PM me your address and it is yours! And just remember that:

Ringworm is very contagious

Be extremly careful and if you possibly can, seperate the cats with it from the others - unless it is too late. You will just have to let it run its course, but once it is through your entire house, the 'bright' side is you may not get it again for a long time.

Do you know how you got it?? Is the cat indoor/outdoor?