Kittens are depressed because I don't touch them much since they were diagnosed with ringworm - help

Hi everyone,

We have two persian doll face kittens aged around 4 months -autumn and winter who we got about a month ago. We first got autumn, the female, she was very loving and sweet and always wanted to cuddle with us. A few days later, we brought home another kitten, who was supposed to be her littermate- winter, a male.

We did not introduce them as we were supposed to - we assumed that being litter mates they would get along - and they did. But soon we started noticing that autumn wasnt her cuddly self anymore While winter, the new cat was friendly and cuddly. She would run away when she would see us and didnt like being held anymore. We worked very hard to make her feel relaxed and at home - started playing with her and giving her extra attention, trying to relax her by playing music and talking sweetly. She has begun to show improvement and we were really excited about it. But we visited the vet yesterday and he told us that both kitties had several patches of a ringworm infection we were asked to not allow the kittens on our bed and use an oral pill and ointment for 15 days. Last night we had to sanitize our apartment - change bedsheets vaccumm wipe all surfaces with vinegar and wet mop the floors. Weve been avoiding touching our kittens and only touch them when we have to apply the ointment and that too while holding each down and using plastic gloves. Today morning autumn actually came running towards me to get a cuddle and i was overjoyed but it broke my heart to shut my bedroom door to not allow her in ( They've both become awfully quiet and they appear sad They havent Played much and seem to want to laze about all day. I dont know what to do. I feel terrible but i cant even help it.

Sorry for this long post i really look forward to getting suggestions on what i csn do.

Hi there,

First of all, I completely understand your feeling. Specially kitten eyes that look up to you sadly as you close the door can break your heart. But don't worry, they are cats. Cats adapt well and don't "feel" the way we do. They don't get depressed because you close the door. They might be like "why is she closing the door?" for a minute or 2, and want to go in because they are used to it, but they'll accept the situation eventually. It won't depress them, and they won't feel like you are blocking them out or that you are being unfair to them or anything. They just are confused because they were allowed in before, and now suddenly they are not. Why? They won't understand. That's most likely all they are thinking. It won't hurt them, it just confuses them.

In 15 days, you'll be able to hug them again as you used to, and they'll adapt back to that soon too. Then it'll all change back to normal again.

For your first kitten who changed her behavior when the second kitten came; this is also rather normal. They suddenly go from single child (which she was for a bit) to having someone to play with. Often when a cat who has been alone for a few days or longer will change his/her behavior when another cat arrives. They'll be a little more independent. Just see it as if you now have to share her attention with your second cat  

Thank you so much for your response Biancavd. I just stepped out of my room and noticed that winter peed out of the litterbox I went to check if the litterbox was dirty - it wasn't

I don't know what to do. I got a little scared and called out to my husband loudly. Now I'm wondering if winter got even more scared

Honestly, you're more upset about the ringworm than need be.

In fact I just had a spot on my wrist that I got completely cleared up, it's just not all that. It's mainly a nuisance.

If you can't get over your fear of the ringworm, then why not use laytex gloves and put a long sleeved shirt on backwards? 

My personal feelings are, they may very well be permanently affected by weeks of no handling and hardly any interacting.

They may become a bit shyer or not as willing to be held and cuddled.

Kittens are growing mentally as well as physically at a fast rate at this age, so they are affected by everything now and during their first year.

Don't be afraid, it's not that awful as it seems to be. Promise! (the name of it doesn't help either!)

plutosangel said:

 
Thank you so much for your response Biancavd. I just stepped out of my room and noticed that winter peed out of the litterbox I went to check if the litterbox was dirty - it wasn't

I don't know what to do. I got a little scared and called out to my husband loudly. Now I'm wondering if winter got even more scared

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You can and should handle the kittens, just wear disposable gloves. Ringworm isn't serious or dangerous, its just like athlete's foot.  The kittens need social interaction.

Thank you Catwoman 707 and StephenQ.

Youll are right, in probably overreacting but the vet kind of scared me. I wore some work clothes and gloves and tried to cuddle them but they found the glove texture a little strange and began wiggling under my grip. I finally removed the gloves and just caressed them with my hands. They were a little scared at first but then started enjoying it. After a few minutes of cuddling, i washed up and changed my clothes. Id rather cuddle my cats and let them feel loved at the risk of getting ringworm than having them get scared and depressed in my house. Thank you for your advice. I feel a lot better now

Ringworm really isn't a big deal. I come across it from time to time with horses. It's a nuisance/inconvenience more than anything. As others have said, don't worry about it. Enjoy your kittens while they're still young - they'll be all grown up before you know it

plutosangel said:

Thank you Catwoman 707 and StephenQ.

Youll are right, in probably overreacting but the vet kind of scared me. I wore some work clothes and gloves and tried to cuddle them but they found the glove texture a little strange and began wiggling under my grip. I finally removed the gloves and just caressed them with my hands. They were a little scared at first but then started enjoying it. After a few minutes of cuddling, i washed up and changed my clothes. Id rather cuddle my cats and let them feel loved at the risk of getting ringworm than having them get scared and depressed in my house. Thank you for your advice. I feel a lot better now

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Funny, some vets will put the scare on you about ringworm, while others are so casual about it, yours just happened to be one who makes it a big deal, it's really not.

Get a couple of men's dress shirts from Goodwill that are larger than your size.  Put them on backwards and use like an apron.  Wear disposable gloves.  Remove the shirt before you leave the room and place in a bag.  Seal and carry to the laundry room. 

plutosangel said:

Thank you Catwoman 707 and StephenQ.

Youll are right, in probably overreacting but the vet kind of scared me. I wore some work clothes and gloves and tried to cuddle them but they found the glove texture a little strange and began wiggling under my grip. I finally removed the gloves and just caressed them with my hands. They were a little scared at first but then started enjoying it. After a few minutes of cuddling, i washed up and changed my clothes. Id rather cuddle my cats and let them feel loved at the risk of getting ringworm than having them get scared and depressed in my house. Thank you for your advice. I feel a lot better now

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Glad to help.  As others have said you can get disposable latex ot non latex gloves from a drug store.  If you were to get ringworm yourself its easy to treat with Lotrimin anti fungal cream.

My son, when he was young, would get ringworm on his tummy every summer and we had no animals. We cleared it up with anti fungal. He eventually grew out it. Honestly it was no big deal and we didn't catch it, not even me who c dealt