Freaking out over ringworm

seemiseemi

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Hi guys! I know there are lots of ringworm threads and at this point I feel like I have read them all and I'm having a breakdown. My cat, Shadow, suddenly got a bald patch above his eye this Tuesday.

I looked it up online and read about ringworm. I actually have an established fear of fungi (I get freaked out in moist places) and this worries me. I took him to the vet as early I could (Friday). I can't keep him isolated, he pretty much goes where he wants, I live with my family and we have carpet, furniture, clothes etc. and he wanders around inside and outside as he pleases. There is nowhere to keep him isolated and Im at work all day so I just can't do that to him.

The vet says that as it doesn't look scabby or like ringworm she wouldn't do a test and to keep and eye on it and on us getting any lesions before taking him back. I told her I hadn't slept since I saw the patch and she told me to relax and didn't seem remotely worried and said it can be treated if it's ringworm. She doesn't think it is ringworm and maybe he pulled it out catching it on something but can't rule it out. She didn't recommend isolation and told me to allow him to go I outside as per usual and he looks in excellent condition otherwise.
I have cleaned- used vinegar on floors and also Dettol Spray on furniture. I have vacuumed everyday, but the other cleaning isn't possible when I'm working. I have washed and changed bedsheets and cleaned the leather chair he sleeps in with dettol spray daily.
I have also been putting colloidal silver on his bald patch. It is still the same size and no red or rings. He doesn't scratch it.
I have ordered f10 disinfectant and will use this, although in all our rooms and with all our stuff I just don't think I can clean everything as deeply as everyone has suggested.
I'm an anxious person, I think I might have a lesion but it could be dry skin I have irritated by putting clear nail varnish on. I have dry skin and now every little itch is making my stomach lurch. I do have anti fungal cream and put this on too. I'm worried about my dad who is a COPD patient and has diabetes and the cat likes to sleep next to him during the day. No one else has any marks or lesions. No one else is worried. And I'm having a meltdown. I miss my cat, he still sleeps in my room, I'm still feeding and combing him but I can't bring myself to cuddle him and I think he's noticed I'm distant.
I had never heard of ringworm. I would not have gotten a cat if I knew about it. I have not worried about fleas or toxoplasmosis, or cat scratch fever but this is making me sick with worry and anxiety. I'm scared to go to work as I don't want to leave the house and Shadow or be all ringwormy at work...and I'm rambling now.
I just wanted to get some advice and I suppose reassurance and has anyone had similar patches on their cat?
Sorry for the long post! Thank you!
 

margd

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I've not dealt with ringworm so I can't say if it looks like ringworm, but I've dealt with vets before and see a big red flag there.  The vet should have taken a sample for testing because you are so worried about it, even if she doesn't think it's ringworm.  You shouldn't have to be going through this stress when there is a way to find out one way or the other if you are right to be worried.  Getting the test done would also mean you could get started on the treatments NOW as opposed to some distant time. I would call her back and explain what you've written here and insist she take a scraping.  If she won't, see another vet who will.  Hopefully this will all turn out to be totally innocent.  


BTW:  Welcome to TCS!  I hope you stick around and join in the fun!
 
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seemiseemi

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Thank you Margd! Was meaning to join up for a long time, sad it's under the circumstances of me being a mess and feeling like a crappy human to my cat.
I will call the vet tomorrow - but she was insistent I should only bring him after if anything changes in the next 'few days'.
 

crystal cline

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This is a relatively old thread, but I figured I'd comment as a cat owner and farmer, though you probably already have an answer. Firstly, it's above the eye, which with my cats is a naturally lightly haired spot and not a particular cause for worry. Next, ringworm is not a worm, it is a fungus, and if you simply wipe the area with rubbing alcohol, iodine or athlete's foot powder it should dry it out enough that, if it is ringworm, it'll probably go away. Yes, you can catch it, but it's not a big deal--one-fifth of the population will catch it at some point of time and, really, if you're not symptomatic you're not really contagious, but it can be relatively easy to catch. Another possibility is it's just dry skin, in which case I recommend Bag Balm, which is basically Vaseline with added antibacterial, anti-fungal ingredients added in--I use it on myself and on my animals regularly. Vets might disagree with me, but I have experience, and many times bag balm has done things prescription meds won't without any side effects.

And if it is ringworm, since it's been three or four months since you posted your question, you already have your answer as to what it is. Don't freak out, though, when things seem to go wrong. Animals, like humans, have phases and, oddly enough, they do pretty well even without medication. Your vet is right in saying you should calm down and wait--I approve of her. Over medicating, in animals and humans, is dangerous.
 

Stephscat

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This thread is old but did you ever find out what it was? I’d like to know because my cat has something identical going on.
 
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