Ringworm Treatment & Advice

rosiet

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Hello all - I am new to this site and have never actually posted to a blog in my life! But I need some help and advice.

I adopted a kitten about 3 months ago, and started to get spots all over my body. We quickly realized the kitten was a ringworm carrier even though the kitten had no physical signs (but tested positive in a culture). My older cat (5 years old) started to get spots and it has spread quickly. I have been treating both cats for about 2 months with oral medication, following cleaning procedures, and lime and sulfur dips 1:16 dilution twice a week (and they have been separated in isolated rooms). I am finding little to no improvement on my older cat and have noticed that both of their coats are increasingly getting VERY dry, dandruffy, and shedding lots of hair. 

Question #1:  Is it normal for the cat's coats to get this bad during treatment? Does it get worse like this before it gets better? I have been torn to switch to an anti-fungal shampoo but don't know if it is as effective. Or doing a 1:8 dilution.. but want to be as aggressive as possible. 

Question #2:  I have a cone on both cats, as they were scratching and excessively cleaning which I wonder if that has made it worse as they are not able to groom? But I also don't want to brush them either as worried to spread spores! What to do! 

I need a light at the end of the tunnel!!! The kitten who had no visible signs, now has dry scaly skin around the base of his ears which I wonder if it's from the lime and sulfur dips and maybe not even ringworm signs? Am I doing more harm?

Please help me! Thank you so much!!
 

feralvr

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Ugh, Rosie. I am so sorry about your poor kitties ringworm dilemma. First and foremost, I would shave both cat's with at least a #15 - #30 blade since they are so bad. It is best to get all of the hair off of the cats with ringworm because it is the hair spores that spread the fungus. That way you can also spot treat any lesions.

You can also use Colloidal Silver - I have this one and apply it to the lesions four times per day. CS is a sure way to kill the fungus and take care of the lesions. Again, shaving is the way to go. Gets rid of the hair and you can see any lesions.

The skin will become a bit dry from the treatment/bath and that is why you are seeing the dandruff and dryness. I dealt with ringworm about 25 years ago and the kitten's were put on Griseofulvin with 20:1 bleach rinse. Of course avoiding the face on that type of dip. I don't think vet's recommend those types of dips anymore but it certainly worked for my two kittens. I used a cone until they were completely dry so they would not lick off and rinse. I am NOT recommending this but something you could ask the vet if the Lyme sulfur is not working.

You can also use miconazole OTC cream - same as for yeast infections on the lesions. Oral and topical plus dips is the best and most aggressive way to combat this fungus.

Article on ringworm: http://www.thecatsite.com/a/ringworm-in-cats AND - linked in this article is an older thread that is packed with great help on combating ringworm - for quick reference... http://www.thecatsite.com/t/210789/6-things-i-learned-from-our-ringworm-plague-book-length
 
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