Thank you ladies! I'm so thankful to have found this supportive site.Originally Posted by Auntie Crazy
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Not that that in any way compares to having to treat poor little kitties who have no idea why you're dipping, scrubbing and rubbing all these nasty chemicals onto and into them. My heart goes out to both of you.
Stay strong, ladies!!!
How is everything going Bunnelina?Originally Posted by Bunnelina
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The clotrimazole isn't working wonders yet but Possum's spot seems less evil; I'd say it's less dark and raw. Wendy still has spots on her ears but I want to believe they look a little fainter, too. This cream does seem less irritating.
I'm almost afraid to say this, but I think the boys with the virus are doing a little better today. Snalbert has eaten food in a bowl (!!!) and is walking around howling hoarsely, which means he's more like his chatty old self, not silently hiding. And it's been more than a day since I heard little Possum have a scary coughing or sneezing fit. On the other hand, I escaped for five hours so I can't say for sure.
I can't have any visitors, either, and you're welcome to vent to me all you want!
Hi StormySkiez,Originally Posted by StormySkiez
Keep me posted on how the ringworm is reacting to the lime sulphur. That is the one thing I didn't try but I had a strong feeling it would kill the fungus in it's tracks. Vet didn't recommend it and I was already doing the gentler baths and tapped out on funds. Also, I didn't have the energy to try yet another treatment when what I was doing should have been enough to clear the ringworm up. I was so afraid it would be too strong for the elderly cats. I never heard of doing the spot treatment with it. That sounds like a good idea to me.
Hello Bunnelina. Thank you for your well wishes. I wish everyone well in your home.Originally Posted by Bunnelina
I read this article, co-authored by Karen Moriello, DVM, who seems to be the go-to expert on ringworm. I think it's the best thing I've found so far:
http://www.giveshelter.org/resources/dermatophyte.pdf
We are supposed to do our first cultures around Dec. 8, after the kittens finish their Sporanox. By then, everyone should have had three or four lime dips, too. I want to do cultures every week after that; I don't see the point of waiting for one before doing more. But. I was charged $92 for the first culture, and I am going to do EVERYTHING I can do avoid paying $400 a pop, as many times as it takes to get three negatives for everyone in a row. We'll see how that goes....
I hope Tinker Bell is clear and all is going well for you. Keep me posted!
I completely agree. Another factor in my decision not to use the lime sulfur was the animals needed to practically drip dry after use?? How do you do that with 6 pets? I thought the vet was crazy telling me to bathe six animals w/ ringworm in my house. I have no garage or basement to do this in. I had to partially blow dry the animals because the fur was very stiff if left to air dry and their tummies were still damp by evening. The hair was flying everywhere. I couldn't stand the hair sticking to me during the process. My Almond and Joy were covered in mats from the baths that I had to eventually shave off because it was insane trying to brush or cut them out. Then having to disinfect the whole area afterwards and clean the towels used. I offered to pay the vet to do the baths and or full treatment, he said no can do. I wonder why?? You are very lucky to have found someone to do the baths & dips.Originally Posted by Bunnelina
Hi StormySkiez,
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It's clear that there is NO WAY we could do four entire cats in this little apartment. I think this job belongs in a garage or shed.
But I think that as a spot treatment between dips, we can handle it. As long as they don't get too many more spots!
I couldn't agree MORE! I've read way too much, but it's my nature to learn all I can about a problem I'm struggling with. Then I get confused and frustrated by conflicting advice. Eventually, I have to figure out whom I respect the most and evaluate their plan. Right now that includes the dips, much as I loathe them.Originally Posted by StormySkiez
All the vets need to get on the same page on how to effectively cure ringworm.
My groomer suggested putting each cat in its carrier to dry in a warm room, and running a cool hair dryer over them to speed the process. It sounds like you had a nightmare on your hands. I didn't know this stuff would mat them, but it's clearly a task for a pro. Vets won't do it for the very reasons you cite: smell, contagion from fur, and the tedious disinfecting afterward.Originally Posted by StormySkiez
Another factor in my decision not to use the lime sulfur was the animals needed to practically drip dry after use?? How do you do that with 6 pets? I thought the vet was crazy telling me to bathe six animals w/ ringworm in my house. I have no garage or basement to do this in. I had to partially blow dry the animals because the fur was very stiff if left to air dry and their tummies were still damp by evening. The hair was flying everywhere. I couldn't stand the hair sticking to me during the process. My Almond and Joy were covered in mats from the baths that I had to eventually shave off because it was insane trying to brush or cut them out. Then having to disinfect the whole area afterwards and clean the towels used. I offered to pay the vet to do the baths and or full treatment, he said no can do. I wonder why?? You are very lucky to have found someone to do the baths & dips.
the car part reminds me of Hondas insight? it is there cross over vehicle and LITERALLY says it can be hosed downOriginally Posted by Bunnelina
I was wondering how someone like Martha Stewart would handle this. She has cats, dogs, and horses, so it's possible this could happen to her. I think she'd begin by setting fire to her house.
It's not a bad idea: if the house is gone, you never have to vacuum it.
I'm considering doing it. I can see the six of us living happily in a van down by the Charles River, which I could just hose down, inside and out, every day. We could camp, live on takeout, and take refreshing baths in the Charles before it freezes over. If we use river water, it would probably kill the ringworm, although we might get typhoid instead.
At least with typhoid, nobody makes you DUST
Oh, Bunnelina, you are one funny lady.Originally Posted by Bunnelina
I was wondering how someone like Martha Stewart would handle this. She has cats, dogs, and horses, so it's possible this could happen to her. I think she'd begin by setting fire to her house.
It's not a bad idea: if the house is gone, you never have to vacuum it.
I'm considering doing it. I can see the six of us living happily in a van down by the Charles River, which I could just hose down, inside and out, every day. We could camp, live on takeout, and take refreshing baths in the Charles before it freezes over. If we use river water, it would probably kill the ringworm, although we might get typhoid instead.
At least with typhoid, nobody makes you DUST
This sounds typical in all the places I have lived, including a couple different states. Believe me, they are worth the drive. Don't go off the website, be proactive and think you can get in. Call them, and tell them you need to get in ASAP. Good luck!Originally Posted by Bunnelina
esrandall, here I am in Boston, one of the top medical areas, with a vet school and regional animal hospital — and the nearest holistic vets are all more than an hour away... the vet I think I'd like is booked about two weeks in advance, according to her website.
Hi Bunnelina. Tinker Bells culture was negative. She still has a few brown spots under her ears. Vet said to scrub it 2 times a day with malaseb shampoo for the antibacterial ingreidiant. I have not. I was using malaseb through most of this already. Streek and Paws culture will be ready to read on the 21st. Streek is still chewing on herself. Haven't been able to bring in the others yet. I've lightened up a bit more on the cleaning because I need a break. I'm still doing fungus shampoos when I feel up to it. At least I have not found any new ringworm lesions.Originally Posted by Bunnelina
Hi StormySkiez,........................................
Send some news, please, when you have a chance. I'm sending vibes that all is well
That is fantastic news! Congratulations! I hope this means that you are finally out of the woods. I can't believe I am waiting anxiously for the day AFTER Christmas this year, because that's when we'll find out about our cultures. IF we're lucky.... If we find out anything before that, it would be bad news, of course.Originally Posted by StormySkiez
Tinker Bells culture was negative.
Last Friday, the groomer told us that she thought the kittens' spots looked better and hair was growing back. But this Friday, she agreed that Possum's nose spot is much bigger, and wouldn't speculate on the meaning of that.Originally Posted by StormySkiez
Do you see the kittens hair starting to grow back yet on the spots?
I don't know. I know they wear gloves, so I assume they are taking other precautions. But we aren't allowed in back to watch them take the cultures. I believe they are well aware of contagion issues and clean up afterward.Originally Posted by StormySkiez
Tell me, does your vet change smocks after seeing your cats as a precaution?
Well, we really are in this together. I have an idea of what you're going through. We just heard that my husband will be taking a huge reduction in salary at one of his two jobs next fall which, together, added up to one decent salary. On top of that, he was one of two candidates for a fantastic, well-paying, secure teaching job nearby — the job of his dreams, and a rare opening in his very specialized field. But after 20 months of waiting, hoping, and praying, it seems to have been offered to the other candidate this week. So there's not much Christmas spirit in this house: he's devastated and I'm sad and worried. I've been looking for work for more than a year myself but there's been nothing for an old lady, and I don't collect unemployment.Originally Posted by StormySkiez
I don't think I am putting a tree up this year for more then 1 reason. Life has been very hard here. This will be my 1st year ever w/ no tree. I won't have to worry about cleaning decorations. I'm anxious to have a better new year. I'm wishing all my cat fans here a healthy & wonderful new year!