Ringworm or Something Else...

My adult cat started to get round patches of bald spots that turned really red and were the size of a quarter or more. She is not an outdoors cat and we did not introduce any new animals into our house.

The vet used a light to determine the spots looked like Ringworm. We treated both cats, just to be safe, with Program for 1 month. I also use a anti-fungal spray on the spots.

Zoe continued to get new spots until the very end of the last dose of Program (1 month). She then had to have her anal glands cleaned and was on an antibiotic for 1 weeks - no new spots.

We thought everything had been cleared up until a few days after the antibiotic, a new spot appeared. No one else in the house is having problems.

I called the Vet and was given 3 options, which would you do?

1. Try another anti-fungal medication - give 2x a day for 30 days
2. Take hair samples to determine if it truly is ringworm (takes 2-3weeks)
3. Take a skin biopsy to determine what it is (requires sedation)

I'm leaning toward the biopsy just to have a final say about what this is, but I don't want to put her through the stress of sedation....

Hmm, I would probably have them take the samples for the ringworm test and use the anti-fungal meds on her in the meantime while you're waiting for the results.

Its is VERY hard to get rid of so its possible she just had another flare-up. At least that way you would know for sure in a few weeks. If it is negative, then I would do the biopsy.

I currently am going through a similar situation with my cat (also named Zoey). He doesn't go outside but recently his hair started falling out and he's got itchy dry spots. I took him to the vet today and she thought it could be ring worm, but after doing a smear and looking the the microscope the dr. realized he doesn't have ring worm. She said that his immune system is attacking his skin cells as he has gone through some stress lately. I can't remember what it's called but she treated it with a .7ml dose of steroids and wants to give him another dose in two weeks. Maybe suggest this treatment to your vet and they may know the name of the problem? If you're still having issues, let me know and I can call my vet and ask what it's called on Monday. Hope this helps!!

Originally Posted by snmcdowell

I called the Vet and was given 3 options, which would you do?

1. Try another anti-fungal medication - give 2x a day for 30 days
2. Take hair samples to determine if it truly is ringworm (takes 2-3weeks)
3. Take a skin biopsy to determine what it is (requires sedation)

I'm leaning toward the biopsy just to have a final say about what this is, but I don't want to put her through the stress of sedation....

Click to expand...

Personally, I would do the fungacide(sp) hair test. The black light tests give off false positives.

I'm hesitant on the antifungals because some of the ones prescribed can be quite damaging to the cat and monitoring of certain body functions should be done. As well, they don't know what your kitty has, so why treat with something without a clear diagnosis?

The skin biopsy, if the vet thinks its something more than just ringworm, then it would be my first option because if the fungicide rules out ringworm, you are back to square one...whereas the biopsy will give you answers.

hmmm

If no one else in the house has hair loss or lesions I would guess it isnt ringworm.

There is no current test for ringworm that is 100% conclusive. All of them can give you a false negative if the spore is not present on the tested hair or skin. Some vets do not like to admit that.

I think I would go with the biopsy in your situation. Same day results?? Will the vet be able to tell more from the biopsy?? If postive then buy the ringworm treatment you want to use instead of wasting money on it if it is not ringworm.

I'm currently battling ringworm in a multiple pet home. 10 of us (4 humans 6 animals) caught the ringworm, 1 dog did not. Check my posts for the situation if you are interested. Other treatment options are listed to use at your discretion.

http://www.thecatsite.com/forums/sho...11#post2721611

If I could afford do both the hair samples and skin biopsy on all my pets I would. What I'm going by in my home due to lack of funds is waiting to see if anyone else breaks out with ringworm at this point because the testing can be inconclusive and not affordable in a home with 7 pets. It's very sad and stressful.

I feel if the hair fungus test is done it is very important to leave the test as long as possible. Ask your vet what the longest amount of time is you can let the test grow. From what I have read some leave the tests up to 20 something days.

My vets have not offered the skin biopsy but I have read about it. I have had hair sample fungus tests done on all my pets. 10 test were done in my home w/ fungassay ringworm fungus tests. All negative from what I could see. I don't recommend the tests as it is for vet use only. I believe the company was not supposed to sell me the tests. They do not provide a clear enough chart to read the results and it seems the vet also has the option to look at the growth under a microscope. 1 hair sample test done at the vets was negative after 10 days and the vet threw it away. My kitten broke out with a lesion 10 days after the last vet visit when he was neutered.

Keep us posted on the outcome and I wish your pets well.