Ringworm.....vet or no vet?

txcatmom

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I'm leaning towards "no vet" but thought I'd get some other opinions, experiences.

18 months ago we had a NIGHTMARISH experience with ringworm with our then 4 month old newly adopted kitten, Leo.  He lived in isolation and none of the other cats ever got it.  3 of the 4 humans in the house got it and that was the nightmarish part....I'll spare you the details but the fungus set off a secondary dermatitis that might have me itching for the rest of my life (according to the dermatologist) and my kids had to take dangerous meds to get it out of their scalp.

I'm not sure how much help our vet's advice was.  She gave ketaconozole (orally) for Leo and told us to use over the counter human anti-fungal lotion...which we did.  During the 6th and final week of the oral meds Leo was still developing new lesions.  I think apple cider vinegar (diluted), time and betadine might have done as much good.  Since all this I've been reading that anti-fungal shampoos are very effective.  But with 4 adult cats who have never had a bath, I'm not sure I can do it.  I'm surprised my vet never even mentioned that option, though.

Even the fungal culture was a waste of time.  3 days more and the fungal culture growing on our skin would have given us answers. 


Yesterday my whole life flashed before my eyes when I saw a spot of what looks like ringworm on Emily's face.  (It is in a very recessed spot, where the cheek narrows to the mouth, that almost surely couldn't have been scratched by another cat.)  We have a foster cat in isolation that was here 5 days before the spot appeared.  My guess is that Emily has been an asymptomatic carrier all these months and the stress of the new addition could have caused it to develop??  (She actually seems curious about the new cat, not stressed but who knows?)  I don't think she could have gotten it from the new cat (who shows no symptoms) that quickly.

I just bought some colloidal silver (500 ppm) from the health store after reading about it here.  I will apply it externally to the spot. 

Here's where I'm not sure.....vet visit or no vet visit??  I'd hate to think I could have had this more under control if she had been on oral meds (if it spirals out of control like I fear.)  Expense is a consideration (foster kitty is going to have major vet bills), but I'd spare no expense to get rid of this quickly if I thought the vet could do any good.

Any opinions....vet or no vet?

Also, I can't even imagine making Emily live in isolation after her knowing the whole house for so long.  (With a new kitten it was a different story.)  Do you think I'm doing the right thing by not isolating her?  So many decisions to make. 

Edited to add....Emily is an indoor cat with no fleas.  She also has a very strong immune system...which makes me hopeful she will kick this quickly but also makes me wonder why a 2 yr old cat with a strong immune system would get it.
 
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burretje

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I would certainly consult a vet. If you're not happy with your current vet, get another or get him to consult a specialist. Ringworm is no picknick. 
 

jennyr

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A few years ago, when my cats got ringworm (and so did I!) the vet prescribed shampoos and locally applied creams first, which did no good. It was not till we got oral drugs that it began to disappear. So it is difficult to advise you as you have had the opposite experience. I think I would consult a vet - but maybe a different one? Though your current vet knows what you have gone through already so may be better qualified as he would bnot be starting from scratch (no pun intended! LOL)
 

feralvr

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I don't know if the spot would appear that quickly :dk: if it is ringworm. Although, not sure on that one as far as stress and a flare of the ringworm. I honestly don't think it is - but I would apply the CS and see if it helps it to clear. Of course, a vet visit might be advised just for your peace of mind. There is the black light test too - although not all ringworm fungus' show up under the light. AWWWW mega vibes that this is not RW. I dealt with that many, many years ago too. Not easy. :hugs: :vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes:
 
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txcatmom

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Thanks for the responses and moral support.  For now I am keeping up with the colloidal silver and upping my housekeeping and vacuuming a bit. 

I keep hoping it is something else.  It looks like a small (about half the size of a dime) wound (pretty raw looking) with no hair, but it is in a strange spot for a wound.  It doesn't have the "typical" ringworm appearance yet but two of Leo's lesions looked exactly like this one. 

If more spots appear I might take Emily to a new vet.  We love certain things about our regular vet but I found a new vet for our foster cat because I didn't like our old vet's approach to stomatitis.  Since I didn't have great confidence in their ringworm treatment either (though I know it is a toughie to treat) maybe I'll try this new vet for that too.
 

Draco

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here's my thread documenting my ringworms with pictures. maybe they will be of help.

In addition, I have an extra, unused bottle of Keto-Chlor shampoo for cats with Ringworms and other fungus. It's prescription only, but if you are interested in it, shoot me a PM and I'll mail it your way.
 

wacatlday

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Tx--I feel for you, I really do! I brought home two feral kits a month ago who were skinny as rails and had bad pink eye. I didn't see the RW when I trapped them. KMR and bottles helped them get back up to weight, then the lesions became apparent. Now my four kids and I have RW all over! Dr just put the kids on this nasty med and me on Diflucan for it. I found that peroxide on the kittens spots cleared it up pretty dang quick. I shaved them down and used cotton balls to soak the spots. Within a week the crust wasn't coming back but their fur was! Peroxide worked for the kids too, but once It got in their hair, I wasn't fond of bleaching my kids' dark hair :/ I put CS in the kits water too. 
 

jennylee

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you want to get a cream from the store labeled for "jock itch" (not kidding)  you can buy it at the dollar store 

or regular store.  put that on the spots 3-5 times a day EVERY day and keep the cat in isolation.  Open windows

when you can and let the fresh air in.  sometimes it takes 30-90 days to get rid of it.  do all kinds of laundry.  

it's a fungus so it will stick around up to a year in a home that doesn't "air out".  
 
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txcatmom

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Now my four kids and I have RW all over!
Oh, I am so sorry for you.  Your kids are probably on the same meds mine had to go on 18 months ago...not pleasant. 

I am happy to report that SO FAR Emily's spot has not spread and hair is growing back. 
  There are no other signs of possible ringworm on other cats or people.  But it has only been about 9 days since I discovered the spot.  I'll feel better when another week or so has passed.  Maybe it was just a wound and not ringworm.  Keeping my fingers crossed!
you want to get a cream from the store labeled for "jock itch"
This worked for me years ago when I got one spot from a student while teaching elementary school.  But the second time around when I got it from my cat, the over the counter creams didn't seem to do much for me or my kids, even continuing for 4 weeks like the packages said.  It must have been very virulent and gotten into our bloodstreams or something.  We all had to go on oral medication.
 

kittylover23

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lsurova

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oh my god... this sound serious.. I would go to vet if I was on your shoe..
 
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