Ringworm?

misskitties

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Okay, my 5 foster kitties have ringworm. The rescue says the vet said I could just use over the counter "stuff." I read that people can use athlete's foot cream. I suppose the same is true with cats. My concern is that all ointments might not be safe for cats. These babies are about 8 weeks old. Most of the sores are around their nose and mouth. One has sores on her tummy near her spay incision (happened last Friday). I've looked up safe topical treatment for cats, and I found a shampoo and Lamisil. Several other things are supposedly not safe. The shampoo requires the cats to be shampooed 2 times/day every other day! The Lamisil is expensive. I cannot afford anything. We're already paying for their food and litter.
Last summer, I put Hartz flea spray on my cat. She nearly died. I didn't realize how dangerous it was. Now, I'm very scared to put anything on a cat that is not specifically recommended or prescribed by a vet.
Can anyone tell me a topical ointment that is safe on cats to use for ringworm? Something you have used and know is safe?
 

white cat lover

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My vet said NEVER use any ointment - whether it be OTC athlete's foot stuff or vet prescripbed anti-fungal cream - near the nose/mouth/eyes. IMO - the best thing to do is to get a vet prescribed oral medication. It's hard on them, but seems to be the fastest/most effective way to get rid of ringworm.

As they were just fixed, you cannot bathe them for a few weeks until the stitches come out. I also would not suggest putting any cream near their stitches.

And FYI - from what I've seen - simply using anti-fungal cream doesn't often work, as there can be new spots you don't see that pop up.
 

jennyr

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I agree - when mine got ringworm two years ago the vet first tried shampoo, which was the most difficult thing I have ever had to administer to my cats and it didn't work. Then he gave me Lamisil cream, and that was ineffective because it was too limited, and they licked it off. The final thing was oral Lamisil, and that worked like magic.
 
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misskitties

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Thanks for the replies.

I definitely feel uncomfortable putting anything near their eyes, nose, and mouth. Two of them have legions right next to, practically on, their lips. This cannot be safe. Plus, they'll probably lick it off or it'll come off when they drink, etc. Another kitten has it right around her eye. Again, this doesn't seem safe to put ointment there.
I also agree that it might not be the most effective method to treat this. Two of them have long hair, so it's going to be even more difficult to detect any new spots that pop up. One also has some patches near her spay incision. I don't feel right about putting ointment there either. It seems oral meds would be the best way to go. I can no longer keep the kittens for various reasons, so someone else from the rescue group is taking them on Saturday. I am not going to do anything about the ringworm. This person I'm giving them to is the one who told me the vet said just to get over the counter stuff. I'm going to tell her how I feel and what I've heard from others about the topical ointment. I'm worried that she'll still just get the topical stuff anyway because they never seem to trust anything I say since I'm just a very young, lowly foster parent.
 

skimble

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I bottle fed orphans that had ringworm before. This is what I used. http://www.revivalanimal.com/store/p...s-Puppies.aspx

I wet a cotton pad and wiped on them. I think it helped. At the least it kept the ringworm at bay until it ran it's course.

Wash their bedding every day with a small amount of chlorine bleach. Hang in there, it will get better.
 
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misskitties

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I can't wash their bedding every day. They are living in my bedroom, meaning they are all over the carpet, some of my clothes, my bedding, etc.
 
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