Ringworm plague-need advice

My family and I are at our wits end, and could really use some help. In September, we adopted two kittens from a local rescue organization. That day, we knew one kitten was sick, the next day her sister was sick as well. Took them to the vet, both had severe upper resp infections, worms, and ear mites. We spent a ton of money to get them well.

Two weeks after we adopted, I noticed a bald spot on one cats foot. I thought she had burned herself after jumping on my bathroom counter where my flat iron was. Another week went by, and I noticed a round, red spot on my neck. A google search said it could be Ringworm. My Son also had a spot behind his ear, but that healed very quickly. Took both kittens back to the vet, where he diagnosed Them with ringworm, did a culture, and trimmed the hair in that location. We then proceeded to do a lime sulfur dip, and began treating with lamisil. We switched vets at that point after an altercation with the rude front office staff. At that point, The other kitty developed red spots under her ears, and on her right front paw.

Long story kind of short, it's now been 4 1/2 weeks. The cats have been isolated since the first vet appt. They have been dipped weekly three times, have been on oral meds (Fluconazole) for the last three weeks, and we're still doing the lamisil twice daily. We vacuum and bleach everything where the kittens are two to three times per week, and then bleach the vacuum filter and container. We're changing the furnace filter weekly. The two times per day we have any contact with the kittens, we wear gloves, shoe covers, and then immediately afterwards strip and shower. All the spots except for the original one have healed. We still have about another week to go on the oral meds.

Today, we heard back from the first culture, which was done on the very first vet visit 4 1/2 weeks ago, and it was negative. The shelter continues to deny any ringworm there, although a volunteer did admit they have been treating cats at the shelter for a yeast infection (malassezia). I've spoken with two vets who say this cannot be malassezia, as it's not contagious.

My questions are: how would the very first culture come back as negative? Is there anything else we should be doing to stop the spread of the spores? We still need to steam clean the carpets and furniture upstairs, but it's been over a month since the cats were up here, so is that necessary? Does anyone have experience with a product called f10?

Today, it seems like I'm getting a new spot on my face, even with all of our precautions. To say my family is on the verge of breakdowns would not be exaggerating at all. Any and all recommendations would be greatly appreciated!

There are actually three types of ringworm in cats and dogs. Microsporum canis (M. canis) is the usual cause of ringworm in cats. A few cats can be symptomatic carriers of M. canis.  These carrier cats can transmit the spores to other cats or to other animals and humans.  Microsporum gypseum (M. gypseum) can exist in the soil. Dogs and cats can become infected with M. gypseum by digging in the soil. Trichophyton mentagrophytes (T. mentagrophytes) comes from rodents and can affect dogs and farm animals.

I wonder if the vet tested only for the type commonly seen in cats?  If the cat had another type, the results would be negative.

I've had a ringworm plague and found the best approach was not to panic.  It is only a fungus - we literally bring it in on our feet every day.  Our own immune systems help us fight it off.  The spots your and your son got happened because the right strength fungus met you when your immune systems were just weak enough.

Vacuum and mop (use a 10% bleach solution) as usual.  Steam clean if you feel it is necessary.  Keep up the medication until a second culture comes back negative.  As the kittens grow, their immune systems will strengthen and they will be able to fight off the fungus themselves.

There is some disagreement about shaving cats with ringworm.  Sometimes, the shaving causes small cuts that actually spread the fungus.  Be careful with that.

Good luck.  And thank you for helping them!

I had a kitten who had ringworm, it was so severe she almost lost all the hair on her body.  Her culture came back negative, however she glowed under the black light at the vet, so we treated her for ringworm.  We used Clotrimazole spray, she had twice weekly baths, and the only separation she had from my cats was her being in a crate, they were still able to smell her.  No one else caught it.  It took Tiggles about 4-6 weeks before she finally started clearing up.  It was frustrating.

Thank you both so much! It's hard to remember not to panic, but that's great advice! The kitties didn't glow under the black light, but I understand not all ringworm does? We're sending off the second culture today, fingers crossed we're in the home stretch. Do either of you know anything about the F10 product? Thanks!

I never heard of F10 but it has been awhile since we had a ringworm kitty, so I am not up to date.

I did a ringworm search on bing and found this:

http://www.earthclinic.com/CURES/ringworm10.html

I'm not sure if I'd recommend it but I can see the sense in it. 

Thanks for the link! When you had the plague did you have your carpets and furniture steam cleaned? The cats have been isolated for over a month, and we vacuum every other day...

No but all my ringworm kitties were isolated on our sun porch.  I was "lucky" because they were able to get lots of sun, which helps clear ringworm up.  A friend of mine recommend I buy an ultraviolet lamp but I decided against that.

If steam cleaning makes you feel more comfortable, go for it.  It won't hurt.  Hopefully, it will clear up soon...

What I have is extremely helpful, it's a 2 ft long blacklight.

It detects ringworm and urine very clearly.

Used in a dark room at night, I can slowly scan over my carpet and floors, furniture, wherever.

I understand that not all ringworm will glow but personally I have not encountered one that doesn't. I believe the most common one in cats does glow.

Patience is a virtue, you are doing all cleaning and precautions correctly, and should see complete recovery very soon.

It does infact take a good couple months of vigilant work to be gone.

PLUS, even once they are better, the spores can still remain hidden for about a year or so, so you don't want to expose any new animals to your home either.

I know, it's a pain, but it's only a fungus, not life threatening illness. A big nuisance if anything.

Younger kits and cats are alot more suceptable to it too.

We heard back from the vet regarding the culture on both kitties and it's negative! The good news is the vet said we could take the kitties out of isolation at the end of this week, and just continue the oral meds until the end of the year. However...this morning I woke up with a red ring on my temple. I've had NO contact with the cats for the last three weeks. We're still washing sheets every day and cleaning like crazy. Any idea how I could now develop another spot when we're being so careful and there's been no contact???

That's how long it takes for it to surface on you, hate to say!

Yep, I know, a real pain the butt....glad it's finally over for the kids