Now we have ringworm!

Boy oh boy have I been there...twice!! When I adopted my first cat, Scotty, he had it, but I didn't know until about a month after he was adopted. I, luckily, did not catch it then and it was pretty easy to take care of (he was on griselfulvin, spelling?).

Then when I adopted Oscar, a month later I noticed he had it too! This time, I was infected, as well as my DH (bf at the time).

Here is what I learned: Vacuum EVERYTHING that is fabric, and wash what you can. Then buy really cheap white sheets (so you can bleach them) and cover everything that the cats tend to lay on with them. If you have a cat tree with carpet or faux fleece, vacuum and lay cheap white towels. This will help you control the spread through the environment. Wash the sheets and towels at least twice a week in HOT water with bleach to kill the fungus.

I also learned that I caught it the second time because my immune system was weakened (I was recovering from a sinus infection). If you've been stressed, that could definitely be why!

Now, ringworm is just a fungus, even though it is annoying, it's not dangerous. It's like athlete's foot.

If you have any questions regarding what I've done or gone through, feel free to ask. I'm not an expert, but having been through the annoyance twice, I've learned a few tricks.

Pix posted in Fur Pix Only thread. I have changed sheets, washed throws and cushion covers, and scrubbed surfaces this afternoon. Still some to do tomorrow though.

I am so sorry that you are dealing with it. It is a tough illness to get over.I am still fighting it on the skin kids.The kits are better though and it's been a few months.

I must admit Jenny, I love the "Punk Rock Wellington" siggy! I haven't been to fur pics yet, I'll have to go have a look. Poor kits. It is especially difficult not to dry them 100% & then leave them to air dry. They always look so pitiful & cold.

Yes, it is an attempt to bring humour into a horrid situation. And thanks to Anakat. This morning I have found lesions on Wellington and Persil, so I have started them on the tablets the vet gave me for Ellie and I will have to go back for more as they won't last. And I have another patch too, just where I sit down! Can you imagine anything more embarrassing?

My middle son had a spot right on his forehead and all his friends at school asked what happened to him.
For humans, I used the Lotrimin or Lamisil and it helped.If you get any in your hair though, you need to go to the Dr. to get some meds.Atleast that's what I was told.
Good luck and I am sending healing vibes that way.

Oh Jenny,

Thanks for hte flowers and suggestions! I have Lamisil and hte vet told me I could use it on the cats too, so Ihave put some on Wellington and Ellie so far. I am still busy washing rugs and sheets, but I don't know how long the spores can live off a host.

The spores can, unfortunately, survive up to 2 years in the environment.

Originally Posted by Sadie's Mom

The spores can, unfortunately, survive up to 2 years in the environment.

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Have been reading along here and well...yes...spores can survive for two + years...didn't want to send anyone into a tizzy.

I have had to battle ringworm many a time...my resident cats of 12, my fosters of too many to count and on myself...ALL of the time, the battle was won with Neem Oil and/or CS (colloidal silver).

Any good health food/vitamin store will carry both products and in my opinion, are the absolute best next to the paperclip

Oh Lord, two years!!! If I can get Neem oil and CS, how do I use them? I am now pilling all four cats, as Persil has a lesion on her neck too, and it seems silly to wait for Dushka to develop it. I am also putting the Lamisil that was prescribed for me on them, as the vet said it would be OK. Today is bath day again, and they seem to know - three are hiding from me.

Originally Posted by jennyranson

Oh Lord, two years!!! If I can get Neem oil and CS, how do I use them? I am now pilling all four cats, as Persil has a lesion on her neck too, and it seems silly to wait for Dushka to develop it. I am also putting the Lamisil that was prescribed for me on them, as the vet said it would be OK. Today is bath day again, and they seem to know - three are hiding from me.

Click to expand...

Neem oil is external use ONLY. This is some powerful stuff! If you purchase 100% oil...it is heavy...use sparingly and nowhere near eyes or mouth. I have had great success using Neem oil for mange, mites, ringworm, fleas & dermatitis. Neem oil is applied directly (also for you) to areas effected or with q-tip, cotton ball, etc. Just apply & gently rub area & surrounding area.

CS use is external & internal (if needed). CS is also applied directly to areas effected. CS is safe to use anywhere on the body...including yourself.

Applying 2x a day...you should see new hair growth within 1-week. Basic info. on both:

http://www.bytheplanet.com/WhatAilsY...m/ringworm.htm
http://www.ringworm.biz/

Originally Posted by Sadie's Mom

The spores can, unfortunately, survive up to 2 years in the environment.

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Two years

When Bakker got it none of the other cats got it!! Perhaps because he was a newbie to the household. When we treated ourselves with the Lamasil it took about 7-10 days for the spots to go away.
If you vaccum remember to throw the bags aways after each time you vaccum and the spores will be in the bag.

Originally Posted by leesali

Have been reading along here and well...yes...spores can survive for two + years...didn't want to send anyone into a tizzy.

I have had to battle ringworm many a time...my resident cats of 12, my fosters of too many to count and on myself...ALL of the time, the battle was won with Neem Oil and/or CS (colloidal silver).

Any good health food/vitamin store will carry both products and in my opinion, are the absolute best next to the paperclip

Click to expand...

Jenny I would strongly advise against using these products. Neems oil is toxic to cat and collidal silver can also cause problems with cats. Stay the course with what your vet has recommended, be sure and wash your hands thoroughly after handling the infected animal and keep doing what you are doing. Using anything else can be risky

aw poor little blighters

Just looking in to see how you are all doing.

We're OK thanks, though the cats are all in hiding after their bath today, and are off their food a bit. One has been sick, not sure which yet. I found it on the landing. I will stick with the medication I have and see how it progresses, and I would talk to the vet anyway before changing. I don't believe in self-medication unless you really are sure it is the right thing, but sometimes it pays to suggest something to the vet.

Originally Posted by jennyranson

A couple of weeks ago I noticed Ellie had a bald patch on her neck but since she had been fighting with Wellington I did not give it much thought, other than to look at it and see there was no bleeding. But I have developed an itchy patch on my neck and the doctor this morning gave me the glad news that it is ringworm! At least it is not melanoma, which was my initial paranoidal fear. So I have ointment and tablets, and I will have to treat all the animals. I have looked at some of the threads here on it, but rather than go OTC here, I will go to the vet on Monday. Just another thing to deal with.

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I had a ringworm on my thigh last year, not sure what the source was. I self diagnosed and self treated with Lamisil (over the counter spray), it was not very itchy. Within days progression was stopped but nearly 2 months before mark completely disappeared.

Where can I find pictures of ringworm on cats?

I am using Lamisil as well as the tablets and shampoos. You can google ringworm and find some pix.