Steroids, conjuntivitis, ringworm and depression, help!

caramelblond

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I need advice about the ringworm medication, I'm worried about toxicity.

I thought Buddy was headed in the right direction but now I feel like we are going backwards.
He has been taking Dexamethasone for the last month and a half for the wobbly/weak legs and it seemed to help. The vet prescribed 0.5 mg for 20 days then we decreased it to half a pill for two weeks. He was doing better just a week ago and was even jumping on the bed by himself. The chiropractic adjustments really helped. We just began half a pill every other day when he broke out with a case of conjunctivitis AND ringworm! I am so frustrated and upset. Why can't this guy can't get a break?

The vet took him off the Dex completely, so I am concerned about the repercussions of that, were we low enough to avoid the cortisol issues? Vet took a blood sample for a pancreas test and should call me today. His temp was good, I think his heart sounded good, no vomiting, he has put on a pound of weight that he lost, and no inner ear infections. The vet gave me Terramycin for the eye infection, 3 times a day. Buddy is wearing an e collar and is depressed. Not eating much and not drinking as often, though when he gets to the dish he drinks plenty. No poop in the box since Saturday morning before the vet. Vet said the ringworm meds will need to be compounded before he can give them to me and that Buddy will need to be checked for liver complications throughout the treatment?!!

Obviously many of you have gone through this with your babies, my question is what are your experiences with ringworm medication, good and bad, and what are the alternative treatments for ringworm that are less toxic and risky for cats? I am afraid of Buddy developing more problems, he seems to get develope side efects no matter what meds he takes BUT I don't want the ringworm to not go away.

I am overwhelmed with the idea of cleaning the house to the degree the internet says to. I am, of course, deep cleaning and throwing out what I can't clean but it is a huge undertaking. I am a clean "freak" so I am motivated to get everything cleaned up. I have been reading the internet stuff about ringworm but there are so many ideas and thoughts that I am hoping someone can offer their experience and advice. Oh, and I work at an elementary school, I am concerned about transporting this to the kids.

I am so confused. I just want my boy to finally be better.

Thanks,

Janice
 

nekochan

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If you search online you can find a lot of ringworm treatments. The main ones being oral antifungals and topical antifungals, shampoos or lime sulfur dips.
 

kluchetta

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I'm pretty sure that white Cat Lover has had some extensive experience with ringworm. Why don't you try pming her? Good luck!
 
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caramelblond

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Hi, me again.

Buddy seems to be over the ringworm and the conjunctivitis, at least no new spots for two weeks and his fur and whiskers are growing back nicely. The eye is cleared up too. Sooo, here we are back at where we were months ago when we started the Dexamethasone. He is weak, wobbly and uncoordinated at times, again. I would have thought it was a tumor except it got BETTER in September on the Dex and with adjustments, just before he got the ringworm, not worse like the vet said it would if it were a tumor.

I struggle with the decision to put him to sleep, I know I must if there is no way to fix this but I also don't want to give up if it is reversible and we just haven't gotten it right yet. I'm confused and scared and mostly don't want to fail Buddy.

I keep going back to September when he was about 90 percent back to normal and what was going on...Dex and chiropractic. I am thinking I want to try anti inflammatories again (one of the vets that saw Buddy said he just may need to be on a dose for life, which is scary) because they may have been working.

What is your experience with anti imflammatories, kinds, doses, side effects, worries, successes?

Buddy goes to the vet on Thursday afternoon for a ringworm culture and a blood test to check his liver. I would like to discuss the Dex or something else with the vet but would like your advice as well.

Buddy is eating and eliminating in his box as usual. He wakes me at 5 almost every morning for attention, as usual. He seems for the most part pretty OK outside of the legs issue, which adds to my confusion as much as it does to relieve me. He was extremely depressed when he had the e collar and didn't do much, I'm sure this caused some muscle atrophy, but when I took off the collar his attitude almost immediately improved.

Thanks for reading this and for any advice, wisdom, and or help you can give.

Janice and Buddy

PS, thank you Feralvr for the shamrock and the sweet wishes, I hope it brings us luck, that and everyone's help.
 
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caramelblond

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Oh and I forgot, I started adding raw to his diet. I purchased Natural Variety Chicken, he really seems to enjoy it too. Is it normal for the water intake to go down? I hope it helps his immune system to bounce up from the ringworm, eye infection and the meds/
 
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