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ghostuser
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The shelter where I volunteer has been having horrible problems with ringworm. They've finally figured out how to stop the epidemic, though. Part of the solution was to move all of the infected cats out of the shelter. Unfortunately, the only place to put them was one of the owner's barns. (I still say it's better than euthanizing them.)
Well, my favourite cat was moved there around late December. I had expressed intrest in taking him home to foster (okay, keep) because I miss him so much. He's such a wonderful cat I don't want something happening to him. A few cats have been killed by cars, and I found out that he's taken to wandering during the day, and is at a huge risk himself.
Well, he's been moved to medical quarenteen at the shelter, because word got to the ladies in charge that I want to do something to keep him safe. They've given him a once-over, and he looks clear. But there's only one way to know for sure, and that is to culture him - which takes 4 weeks. They're trying to figure out what they can do with him instead of sending him back to tha barn for that time. The only room they can keep him in at the shelter already contains former ringworm cats that are in quarenteen, and have been for two weeks. If they introduce him to that room, either the other cats might get it, or he himself could. They're going to sit down with the vets next week and figure out if he can stay there or not.
Now, if he can't stay there, I want to bring him to my house. They'll bath him with Malaseb first, and he'll be kept in my spare room for a month. After that I'll be able to foster him for a few weeks to see if he'll work out with my current boys. Hopefully I'll be able to keep him.
My concern is the three I have now. L.S. is only 9 months old - technically a kitten. Hans has arthritis - which is a disease of the immune system, and is 14 years old. And I'm suspicious about Merlin having a compromised immune system - he's had bad gingivitis even at 2 years old, and has had two ear infections (which are rare in cats). Not exactly the ideally healthy bunch to potentially introduce ringworm to. I had ringworm myself a few months ago, and by being careful they never got it, though.
I'm thinking that by being careful with the new cat, giving regular Malaseb baths, and keeping him isolated that it's safe enough to try. If he can stay at the shelter, we'll be doing that instead. I won't know until next week, so I have some time to ask for any experiances any of you have had with a problem like this. I might even call my vet and see what he thinks.
Well, my favourite cat was moved there around late December. I had expressed intrest in taking him home to foster (okay, keep) because I miss him so much. He's such a wonderful cat I don't want something happening to him. A few cats have been killed by cars, and I found out that he's taken to wandering during the day, and is at a huge risk himself.
Well, he's been moved to medical quarenteen at the shelter, because word got to the ladies in charge that I want to do something to keep him safe. They've given him a once-over, and he looks clear. But there's only one way to know for sure, and that is to culture him - which takes 4 weeks. They're trying to figure out what they can do with him instead of sending him back to tha barn for that time. The only room they can keep him in at the shelter already contains former ringworm cats that are in quarenteen, and have been for two weeks. If they introduce him to that room, either the other cats might get it, or he himself could. They're going to sit down with the vets next week and figure out if he can stay there or not.
Now, if he can't stay there, I want to bring him to my house. They'll bath him with Malaseb first, and he'll be kept in my spare room for a month. After that I'll be able to foster him for a few weeks to see if he'll work out with my current boys. Hopefully I'll be able to keep him.
My concern is the three I have now. L.S. is only 9 months old - technically a kitten. Hans has arthritis - which is a disease of the immune system, and is 14 years old. And I'm suspicious about Merlin having a compromised immune system - he's had bad gingivitis even at 2 years old, and has had two ear infections (which are rare in cats). Not exactly the ideally healthy bunch to potentially introduce ringworm to. I had ringworm myself a few months ago, and by being careful they never got it, though.
I'm thinking that by being careful with the new cat, giving regular Malaseb baths, and keeping him isolated that it's safe enough to try. If he can stay at the shelter, we'll be doing that instead. I won't know until next week, so I have some time to ask for any experiances any of you have had with a problem like this. I might even call my vet and see what he thinks.