New cat, Ringworms? Vet missed? Pictures.

Hi, is it possible that my new cat, Kyubi, has ringworms?  He's a former stray that has been kept inside for about 2 months now.  He's 8 months old and has seen a vet 2 weeks ago.  Is it possible that the vet could have missed his ringworms if that's what they are?  

He has roundworms and is currently being treated.  He got neutered, checked for fleas (no fleas), Feline Leukemia Test, Kitten Exam, Int. Parasite Exam, FVRCP vaccine.  

He licks himself a lot.  Two days ago, I saw that he had some scabs and bald patches on his back.  It seems as if he has licked the scabs off and now it looks more like sores.  I didn't think it could have been self-induced since I didn't think he could reach that far on his back, however I just witnessed him licking the spot! 

Could it be stress induced scabs from over grooming?  My brother and sister in law, the ones who took him in from outside, says that he didn't lick as much before he was neutered.  I know it might also be allergies.  They were feeding him a dry kibble with by-products and grains.  

I have another cat in the house so I'm a little worried about it being contagious.  However, I've never had any experience with ringworms.  Since he has seen a vet recently and been given a clean bill of health (except for the roundworms), I am a bit hesitant about taking him to the vet right away.  He is eating fine and adjusting to his safe room in my apt well.  

Also, I took my resident cat, Sasha, to the vet last week Monday and she's healthy too.  However, it did rack up quite the bill and I have to take a taxi since I don't have a car, more reasons why I don't want to rush him to the vet.  Of course if he needs it, I will go, but I just want to see what you guys think.

[Finally, a random unrelated question.  I had Sasha tested for FIV and FeLV since I was introducing a new cat.  They took the blood and did both tests at once.  She was negative for both.  For Kyubi, my brother was the one who took him to the vet and I wasn't there.  They did a FeLV test but I'm not sure if they also tested for FIV at the same time.  Is is common to do both tests together?  They said he was negative for FeLV but I'm not sure if they even tested for FIV.  It's frustrating since I wasn't there to ask questions and clarify.  I know he probably doesn't have it, but I'm just a little paranoid.  I guess I should just call his vet and ask, but let me know what you guys think as well.  Sasha is spayed btw.]  

I want to add that Kyubi is deathly afraid of car rides.  Aside from his car trip to and from the vet, his vet visit and neuter surgery, we have also taken him on an hour and a half car ride to my apt (as he will now be living with me).  We used Feliway and Rescue Remedy for this trip and he was quiet for about 90% of the ride.  Keep in mind that this happened yesterday and he has only been with me for a little over a day.  I know that all of these things are very stressful and may have triggered this excessive licking, so I don't want to jump to expensive conclusions.  I'm a worrier after all.  

You do know that humans can catch ringworm from their cats so don't leave it too long.

Stewball said:

You do know that humans can catch ringworm from their cats so don't leave it too long.

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Thanks.  I have been reading up on it and am aware of that.  I'm am still wondering if it is ringworms or not and if I should worry as it could be any number of things.  It seems pretty likely to be stress induced over grooming but wanted input from those who are more experienced regarding ringworms.  

None of my cats ever had ringworm. I Just Know It Can be passed from cats to humans.
I hope you find out what is wrong.
I know I get very stressed if one of
my cats is unwell.
I once, years ago, took a 2 cat to my vet because she looked 'depressed'. Blood tests showed liver problem. The biopsy showed a fatty liver. Her Food Was changed and she lived to be 16

Ruaryx said:

 

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I have a lot of experience (sadly) with ringworm, and just to clarify its ringworm, not ringwworms and that's because there is no plural, its a fungus not a worm.  Having said that, in your case it could be anything, ringworm is possible, but it could also be from over grooming and it could have become infected.  If i was to guess i would go with infected sores from grooming or other medical cause (he could be grooming them because they bother him) but in any case they need treatment so that they don't become worse if infected, and dont spread to you or the other cats if its ringworm.

i know you just went to the vet, but what you have photographed is definitely a medical condition.  You can wait and see, it's not an emergency but generally its cheaper and easier to deal with it sooner rather than later.

As to the FIV/FeLV testing, its a combo test so when they test for one they always test for both.

Its hard to tell in the photos honestly. It doesn't scream ringworm to me. In my experience there's a lot more dried skin and/or flakes with ringworm. And I can't really think of any kitty licking their ringworm outside of standard grooming habits.

You can check the spot out with a black light, if it's ringworm it's has good odds of making the hair light up under the black light, but not all ring worm reacts to the black light. However it's an easy test you can do in the comfort of your own home.

In regards to allergies, my experience it's their bellies they pull the hair from first. Or the pads of their feet. If it worries you you could try changing his food if the spot doesn't get better. 

I do wonder though it if its an reaction to the site of the vaccines or any topical de-wormer or de-flea-er they may have given him at the vet. Call you vet and ask if they applied anything in the area of the scab. Your vet should have made notes where any shots were given and the topical application as well. If they do several shots they do them in separate body parts now so they can tell which shot causes a reaction in the case there is one. I have seen cats get reactions like that from revolution,

I personally would keep an eye on it and if it gets worse start thinking about the vet. Try to get keep him from licking spot and agitating  it worse. You can also spread neosporin on the wound to see if it helps. If you have reason to think it's ringworm you can do many over the counter treatments at home with out going to the vet. Personally if you just get the one spot and are positive  it's ringworm I don't take my kitties to the vet for it. We treat it at home. I use Lamasil on spots they can't lick and white vinegar  on spots they can lick. If I get more then one spot and it's spreading  rapidly  I do go to the vet for the oral meds to stop the spread of the fungus.

Good luck!

Thanks guys!  I tend to worry a lot, rush my cat to the vet, and then it turns out to be nothing.  It eases my mind but hurts my wallet. :[  

Anyways, I have to take Kyubi to the vet in a week and a half for a booster shot, so I will talk to my vet then.  I just wasn't sure if it was something I should seek immediate attention for or not.  It's really frustrating because I don't know his medical history too well.  He seems to be licking the scabs off which creates a raw-looking sore.  Also, it's not completely bald.  There are hairs still on the sore area.  And you can't tell that there is a baldish spot unless you're looking for it.  I'm going to try not to worry too much about it since he will be seeing a vet soon.

@ReiKitty  How can I get him to stop licking the spot?  I don't have a cone or anything like that.  Also, if I apply white vinegar and it's not ringworm, will it be agitating to the sore at all?

In regards to the FIV, I did call the vet and ask.  They only did the FeLV test.  Isn't that weird?  Anyways, do you guys recommend that I go ahead and do a FIV test?  I tested my resident cat already just in case. They're both neutered/spayed so I don't imagine that they will be engaging in sexual activity, but I'm a pretty paranoid person.  I will also be asking my vet for recommendations.  

Also, would you recommend for Kyubi to have any other shots?  He will be strictly indoors from now on and hasn't gotten any shots other than the ones I already listed.  Thanks again for taking the time to answer!  

Ruaryx said:

 
Thanks guys!  I tend to worry a lot, rush my cat to the vet, and then it turns out to be nothing.  It eases my mind but hurts my wallet. :[  

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Story of my life! We have a firm rule in place. Unless its clearly an urgent issue (theres lots of blood, things outside that should be inside, and obvious signs of severe pain) we wait 24 hours and two meals. If they're still bothered by something after 24 hours and if they skipped a meal we then go to the vet. It's saved me several times. 

Unless it spreads or gets seriously worse I'd wait till the appointment for the vaccine booster.

I'd test for FIV due the health issues it can cause, you want to know for treatment in the future. And it typically transfer via blood transfer.

My guys get the FVRCP, rabies, and FIV vaccine. But I foster so I have a constant influx of unknown kitties. We also have two outdoor kitties that come in at times and are hunters which is the main reason for the rabies. If your two kitties are completely indoors you should be fine with just the FVRCP vaccine. You may have to do rabies depending on your city code.

If it's got open sores then the vinegar will sting, but other then that it won't hurt.  Maybe make him smell a little pickley. It might even keep him from licking that spot too. White vinegar is a great natural product for several purposes.

You can make cones out of paper plates... Or pick one up at a store, they're pretty cheap and most pet stores carry them. Or if doesn't get to bad wait till the vet and pick one up there too.

@ReiKitty  Thanks so much for all the advice.  You really have helped me feel better.  I like that rule.  Haha.  So far my resident cat has only ever had anal gland issues.  Everything else was my overactive imagination!!  Thanks!

@Ruaryx  No worries! I can't tell you the number of times I've gone to the vet and pretty much been told you didn't need to come but since you're here we're going to send you home with meds you probably don't need but cost a lot of money.....

Please keep us posted next week though on what the vet says about the spot if he stills has it.

Yes, I'll definitely let you know.  I tried the white vinegar, btw, and it just made him lick it more!  Figures. 

Maybe a baby grow with the bottom bit cut off. It'll cover the sores. Just An Idea.

It doesn't look like ringworm to me.

Especially the location and the fact that he has been indoors for 2 months, AND that he is an adult.

Ringworm would pop up on their face/ears/neck area, legs/paws before it will go to their back/body.

So if everywhere else is clear, I would treat with a topical flea medication. Loos like overgrooming due to flea dermatitis to me.

You don't necessarily see fleas, but if you look in several spots on her, part the fur down to get a clear view of her skin, look for tiny black pepper dots.

Even finding one speck says a mild flea case, but enough to cause a sensitive kitty to lick and chew lots, especially if it is allergic/sensitive to fleas. 

Thanks @catwoman707. I always google symptoms and find the scariest things to worry about!  I will definitely look for flea dirt, but we have looked pretty extensively for fleas, including the vet.  You made me feel a lot better though.  Thanks!

Ruaryx said:

 
Thanks @catwoman707. I always google symptoms and find the scariest things to worry about!  I will definitely look for flea dirt, but we have looked pretty extensively for fleas, including the vet.  You made me feel a lot better though.  Thanks!

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You're not the only one that's for sure!

Yes, google has enough info to be dangerous! Scary stuff....

So the spot shown in the picture is already beginning to heal.  However, he has scratched his chin so much that that started bleeding a little.  He scratches and licks CONSTANTLY, but he doesn't have any bald spots, only the chin sore and the back sore shown.  

His vet appt isn't until the 12th but this over grooming and scratching is worrying me.  

Could it be invisible fleas? 

It might be food allergies to grain since he was on a pretty terrible kibble before I got him.  And then it might be a fish allergy, a chicken allergy or stress.  

Whatever it is, it started before I got him since the person I got him from commented on how much he groomed.  Ugh, and my other cat's dental and extractions are tomorrow.  

I'm going to switch his food to grainless, chicken less, fish less, canned and spray more Feliway and play with him more.  Hopefully the vet will know!  I'm sure afraid she'll list all these possibilities and not have a way of knowing for sure. 

Ruaryx said:

Could it be invisible fleas? 

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Don't even go there. I would wig the heck out if there things like invisible fleas!  You though would see flea dirt if you didn't see fleas.

We had a cat in program that did something very similar... they ended up doing several sulfur dips (like 6 in a 4 week period or something insane) the vet was thinking that he had a type of burrowing mites that regular mite/tick/flea killers don't kill. He did clear up after that, but they also changed his diet at the same time.... I think though it was hey we have sulfur dip from all our ringworm babies this year, might as well try it.

When you drop your other kitty of at the vet ask if they're give you a tube of revolution or advantage. Something that will kill fleas and ticks. It shouldn't hurt him to have it applied and if he happens to have hiding fleas it will kill them. If he does have something eating him it should be cleared up by his appointment.

The allergies could be a gazillion things, I'd start going on a grain free diet. Then change his protein that he's eating if he doesn't get better. (or visa versa) You want to figure out what is causing the issue, if you change 10 things at once you won't know what of the 10 things is causing the allergy. You might also want to look into some of the allergy tests that you can run online, it might help you eliminate the food allergy quicker then trying a bazillion different foods.

If I were you, I would first off treat him with a topical flea med, advantage 11 is my med of choice and use it with my rescue group.

Next I would get him on Blue Buffalo Basics, limited ingredient turkey food.

You will be eliminating so many ingredients that are so irritating to cats, grains, additives galore, preservatives, lots of crap. All these can set off an allergic reaction and just endless scratching and licking.

Do this BEFORE it turns into inflammation and IBS/IBS or pancreatitis.

This is exactly how my cat Krissy started out, overgrooming. Now she has IBD/Pancreatitis. All due to an allergy to something in her diet, likely chicken.

Keep him on only this and see if he doesn't slow up on the scratching. It's so common anymore it's scary. SO many cats are reacting to their food ingredients.

ReiKitty said:

 
Don't even go there. I would wig the heck out if there things like invisible fleas!  You though would see flea dirt if you didn't see fleas.

We had a cat in program that did something very similar... they ended up doing several sulfur dips (like 6 in a 4 week period or something insane) the vet was thinking that he had a type of burrowing mites that regular mite/tick/flea killers don't kill. He did clear up after that, but they also changed his diet at the same time.... I think though it was hey we have sulfur dip from all our ringworm babies this year, might as well try it.

When you drop your other kitty of at the vet ask if they're give you a tube of revolution or advantage. Something that will kill fleas and ticks. It shouldn't hurt him to have it applied and if he happens to have hiding fleas it will kill them. If he does have something eating him it should be cleared up by his appointment.

The allergies could be a gazillion things, I'd start going on a grain free diet. Then change his protein that he's eating if he doesn't get better. (or visa versa) You want to figure out what is causing the issue, if you change 10 things at once you won't know what of the 10 things is causing the allergy. You might also want to look into some of the allergy tests that you can run online, it might help you eliminate the food allergy quicker then trying a bazillion different foods.

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You know what, I never even considered other bugs.  I just knew that he probably didn't have fleas.  Anyways, I'll feed him grain free wet and raw until his appt and then see what the vet thinks.  Thanks for the advice.  I'm too impatient to wait 3 months to find out about food allergies though!  Thank goodness he doesn't have any bald spots.