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

[Maya & Inka's mommy]

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

[sirrahved]

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]

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]

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]

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?

[Catsnclay]

I almost forgot.......


Ringworm is just the name of this, there are NO worms in this at all!!! Who ever named this should be shot!! The mere mention of the the word makes you want to itch all over!!

This is a fungus, and fungus' are mostly topical - meaning on top of your skin - NOT IN there!!!

I know how you are feeling, and for the next few weeks any time something brushes up against you, you will - in a panic - look there and look for that dreaded red patch!! Every time you have a simple itch.......you will look !

Don't worry, that feeling eventually will go away too!

Hang in there, help is on the way. Don't itch, and wash your hands!!!!

[sirrahved]

I knew it was a fungus... and fungus weirds me out just as much as internal parasites! lol I'm such a wuss.

[sirrahbed]

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

all of my best links are here Devon. Try not to freak (hard I know!) You probably would have it already if you were going to get it. Mild bleach solution in a bottle is great for everything - no need to even rinse or wipe it down. Clorox Anywhere product is good also - but your own bleach solution is just as good and cheap. Handwash like a fanatic and go on with your days. It is not the end of the world - just feels like it at some moments. It will go away eventually - the "ringworm" gameplan in the above link had some really thorough and no-nonsenes advice.

I don't have any idea if using special shampoo on yourself would prevent the spread though what could it hurt? I doubt that you need to worry though - your hair will be fine.

(((hugs)))