Is Itraconazole the only way to get rid of ringworm?

Can you please tell me what your vet has prescribed for ringworm and your experiences with it. My Buddy has ringworm and conjunctivitis brought on and made worse VERY QUICKLY by the dexamethazone he has been taking for his legs. The dex was stopped cold turkey when we found out what he had, can that be good?

My problem is that my vet says that the only real way to treat the ringworm is with Itraconazole and that the other treatments don't work. I am not happy with the side effects of the Itraconazole but I'll do it if it is the only way or the fastest way of safely ridding him of the fungus.

I'm confused and worried and any help would be GREATLY appreciated.

Thanks!

I have only dealt with ringworm many, many years ago with two rescue kittens. I treated them with Griseofulvin, an oral drug. They were shaved close and given antifungal shampoo baths three times a week and 20/1 bleach dip twice a week for six weeks. I also put some type of topical fungal ointment on the lesions which were on their heads. They were cured within eight weeks. Now a lime sulfur dip is used. The new drug you are talking about is very effective and safe. I would probably go with the itraconizole. Here is a link of more information. Ringworm is curable if you follow the exact directions from the vet.

http://www.sniksnak.com/cathealth/ringworm.html

Thanks for the link, best one I have read yet...and I have read A LOT. I have decided to try a product called Verericyn that is reported to treat and help cure bacterial infections, viruses, and fungi including ringworm. I understand it will be longer most likely to be rid of the ringworm but I am very much fearfull of the side effects as Buddy is sensitive and his immune system is already low because of the Dexamethazone. Vetericyn is non-toxic and safe to use around the nose, mouth and eyes. All pluses in my book as his eyes are mangled from the ringworm and conjuntivitis. Has anyone heard of Vetericyn (vetericyn.com) and if so what do you think?

I have bought Vetericyn from my vet which she has me use a lot for wounds and infections and things, but I am not convinced it is an effective treatment for ringworm.
There are several other oral anti-fungals out there as well. My vet recommended Fluconazole and it is listed as having fewer side effects than some of the others. There are also topical treatments and other treatments such as shampoos and lime sulfur dips.

Gosh, I am just so sorry for Buddy. It certainly makes things harder to treat when a kitties immune system is compromised. I have that issue with my Pipsqueak. I don't know anything about Verericyn but I am sending mega vibes that Buddy can recover from this. Poor little man . and to you, this is very hard and stressful on you too .....

Thanks for the vibes and good thoughts. It is hard, he is so miserable that yesterday I actually wondered if it would be kinder to put him to sleep. He seems to be plateauing today so maybe we are on the mend.

OH dear...... I really think it can be treated, easily and quite inexpensively. I do know it makes it harder if they have an endocrine problem, and it can seem very discouraging at times for us to see them really suffering through an illness. But, they do seem to make it through, I know with Pipsqueak's issues, he always seems to pull through it one way or another. Can you talk again with your vet about this situation? Maybe another vet might give you another option and a more hopeful outlook?? How is Buddy today???