Conference misery::feline

    Hi there,
    
    The most notable symptoms of ringworm are loss of hair and scaley
    patches on the skin.  Cats that have ringworm usually do not get upper
    respiratory symptoms to go with it.  The case in that other note is
    probably a coincidence.
    
    If you think that your cat has ringworm, the vet can take skin
    scrapings and then culture them to see if ringworm grows in the
    culture.  This is the best way to tell if it is truly ringworm.  There
    is a simpler way, but it is less accurate.  The vet will shine a lamp
    called a Woods Lamp on your cat.  A Woods Lamp is just a black light. 
    Some cases of ringworm will floresce under the blacklight.
    
    Treatments range from bathing and dipping in antifungal shampoos and
    dips, to applying specially formulated antifungal ointments on the
    skin, to administering oral medication.  You should never use over the
    counter antifungals on your cat, since the cat is very likely to
    injest the antifungal when grooming himself, and that could be harmful
    to him.  Be sure to get the type of antifungal ointments the vet
    prescribes.
    
    Jo  

    IF the patches flouresce then it definitely IS ringworm.  If they
    do not flouresce then they may still be ringworm.
    
    And it IS contagious to humans.  Children seem to be more susceptible
    to it.  I have had it in my cattery in the past but neither I nor
    Jack got it.  ALso, many of my cats never showed any symptoms
    whatsoever.  It is felt that they can develop an immunity to it.
    
    I know where you can get a good anti-fungal shampoo if you want to
    bathe your cat.
    
    Nancy
    

    Yes, humans can catch ringworm.  I caught it about 15 years ago from a
    neighborhood cat.  It wasn't hard to clear up, I was given Tinactin.  I
    had it on my thigh and forearm, 2 round little patches about the size
    of a dime.  
    
    Karen

    
    From the title, it sounds like RINGWORM is actually a fungus, not a
    worm.  So why is it called RINGWORM??
    

    It forms a patch in a ring, and it looks like a worm, a tapeworm.
    
    Karen

    I don't know that the patch I've been seeing is ringworm or
    what.
    
    Peaches fur is silky smooth and skin soft.  But, on this one
    spot (about 2"x2") she's developing this weird condition.  When
    you rub your hands through this fur (which there's a lot still
    there) it feels scaby and she appears to be losing little
    strands of fur - they come out in small clumps attached to a
    tiny white, well, piece of dead skin, I guess.
    
    My first thought was that Mittens (the older cat) had been playing
    a bit too rough biting Peaches on the neck.  But Mits usually bites
    the underside of her throat, and has never punctured the skin or
    left any marks.
    
    I don't think (or know) that this is ringworm, or maybe a small
    patch of ezema (sp) or something.  It doesn't seem to bother her
    but it's kind of icky.  Any ideas?
    
    Puzzled
    

    Re: .6
    
    A trip to the vet.....
    

    I second the last recommendation.  The only way to know for sure is to
    have a vet look at it.  It could be anything from flea allergy
    dermatitis to the more serious, ringworm.  
    
    Jo

    
    Fulvicin has been mentioned in note 167 (not favorably) but I would
    like some more information or experience with this oral medication.
    I checked for Fulvicin in the Cornell book for cats but didn't find
    anything.
    
    As you know Spike is having a tough time with RW, he's got it pretty
    bad on his face.  It hasn't shown any signs of stopping either, it has
    spread to the left side of his face, top and base of his ears.
    
    My vet has given me a prescription for Fulvicin (I can get it from my
    local drugstore).  I'm to give him 1/4 tablet for 6 weeks (150mg
    tablets).  I told her I was concerned about this drug since I haven't
    heard anything positive about it.  She said there have been 7 reported
    incidents of liver damage due to Fulvicin.  There is also a problem
    with giving this to breeding animals (I don't have to worry about
    this).
    
    So, now I don't know what to do.  I'm afraid to give it to him but also
    want his RW to clear up.
    
    Does anyone have any more information about this drug?  I wonder how
    safe it can be if it's being pulled off a vet. drug reference guide
    (note 167.46).
    
    ...Rania

    The Fulvicin is not very safe for purebred cats, who seem to be more
    sensitive to medications than your basic garden variety.  I would not
    give fulvicin to any of my Birmans, but I might consider giving it to
    one of my household pets if the circumstances warranted it.  You can
    give Spike the fulvicin and then just monitor his liver function by
    running blood panels on him.
    
    I personally know of 3 cases of cats dying of liver failure after 
    receiving fulvicin, but these were all purebred cats.
    
    If Spike is that bad, maybe he does need to be on it.  If you haven't
    tried the Lym Dip yet, I would try it.  It really works well.  When I
    was using this, my vet gave us Boric Acid ointment to put in the cat's
    eyes to protect them from the medication getting in there.  I then
    sponged the dip on carefully with a washcloth.  Using the dip really
    accelerated the recovery for my cat.
    
    When you checked the Cornell book, did you look under Fulvicin or did
    you read through the sections on ringworm?  I think that Fulvicin is
    mentioned in the ringworm section.  But, if it has been taken off the
    market for cats, then they may not have listed it at all.
    
    Jo

    
    re: .10   Do you feel that it is purebred cats in general that are more
              sensitive to the fulvicin or certain breeds of purebred cats?
              
    
    

    The three cases of death from liver failure that I know of were all
    Persians, but from what Dr. Rue tells me all purebred cats are
    sensitive.  Let's face it, anesthesia affects them differently too, so
    it must be something to do with their genetic makeup.
    
    Dr. Rue doesn't like prescribing Fulvicin at all, purebred or otherwise
    though.  But she and I both have our little hang ups with medications,
    like the chloramphenicol thing.  :')
    
    Jo                                  

    
    > ...but from what Dr. Rue tells me all purebred cats are sensitive. Let's
      face it, anesthesia affects them differently too, so it must be something
      to do with their genetic makeup.
    
    When you say "affects them differently too" are you referring to
    Persians or purebreds in general?  It seems to me that the breed
    that has the greatest tendancy towards ringworm is also the breed
    that is more "sensitive" to the fulvicin, namely Persians & Persian
    hybrids.
    
     

    When I said "them", I meant purebred cats in general.
    
    All purebred cats are sensitive to anesthesia from what I understand. 
    I am sure that the degree of inbreeding and linebreeding in the
    pedigree would play a role in how hardy a breed is when it comes to
    things like sensitivity to medications. 
    
    It is true that Persians are more susceptible to ringworm, and they are
    harder to treat for it unless you shave them, so they are usually put
    on Fulvicin more often than other cats.  Ringworm lives on the hair
    shaft, rather than the skin (many people believe it lives on the skin).
    So, when you talk about a breed that has tons and tons of hair shafts,
    you can see that the potential for bad outbreaks of ringworm could be
    greater.  Add to that the chances of a weaker immune system and you
    have the recipe for disaster in a Persian cattery.  
    
    Incidently, my own experience with ringworm was due to an orphan
    Persian kitten that I "fostered" on one of my queens.  Surprise,
    surprise! :')
    
    Jo

    
    Well I called the vet to ask for the Lym dip and she felt it wasn't
    safe for use on cats.  I mentioned other people have used it but she
    felt the Nolvasan/Conofite would work.  
    
    I've decided to hold off on the Fulvicin.  Spike's not a purebred but I
    don't want to risk it.  I'll be giving him a Nolvasan bath every other
    day.  I think that will help out a lot.  And of course the daily
    application of Conofite.  I think the baths are working very well. 
    Spike really appreciates getting his face rubbed.  
    
    Jo, I checked for Fulvicin in the the glossary, index and ringworm
    section of the Cornell book.  I didn't see any reference to it.  They
    did mention cats with severe or recurring cases of ringworm may have to
    go on oral medication. 
    
    ...Rania

    Yep Rania, I checked the Cornell Book last night too, and was going to
    mention that they didn't say Fulvicin, just oral medication.
    
    Well, since your vet isn't comfortable with Lym dip, then it looks like
    you are stuck with the every other day bathings.  Have fun.  I remember
    having to bath my litter and their mom every day with Nolvasan, what a
    hassle!!  I had no life during that time.  
    
    Lym dip is made up of sulphur, and it is diluted with water.  There are
    no cautions on the label against using on cats, and it even says it is
    safe for use on kittens and puppies.  It smells like rotten eggs, and
    it leaves Birman kittens totally neon yellow for a few hours (until it
    is completely dry).  But it works.  Maybe you should be thankful that
    she doesn't want you to use it, the smell makes me gag, and it leaves
    that odor in your house for a while until it airs out. :')
    
    Jo

    
    I can relate to having "no life".  I feel like all I do is clean the
    house, cook for Cleo, bathe and medicate the two of them.  
    
    I'm tired!

    The Cornell Book did have some helpful hints about environmental
    control that I neglected to mention.  You may want to wash the cat's
    bedding in chlorox to kill the fungus.  Also, spritz chlorox/water
    solution on carpets, draps, furniture (dilute 1:32).  Ringworm is a
    spore and can survive long periods in the environment.
    
    Another thing that I did that helped a whole lot, I borrowed an
    industrial fogger and put Nolvasan solution in it.  I ran it in the
    room that the mom and litter were in about three times a week (while
    Ken was bathing them, I fogged the room).  I managed to control the
    ringworm to the point that only that one mom and litter got it, instead
    of my whole cattery, no easy feat!!
    
    Jo

    I put Spike on the Fulvicin this weekend.  I can't believe how quickly
    it spread on him as compared to Cleo's outbreak.
    
    He's not too happy about the baths, every other day, but I think he's
    getting used to it.  He hardly fights with me while being washed. 
    After last night's bath he looked pretty good, I hope the Fulvicin is
    taking effect.
    
    ...Rania

    I have 5 adult and 5 kittens. They are ALL indoor only cats. I have
    ringworm. How did I get this?? The ONLY thing I can think of is that
    last Monday I went over a friends house and she has an older cat -- I
    think he's indoor/outdoor (they also have a dog that was ALL over me!)
    Anyhow, on Friday I noticed a spot on my upper right arm, and by
    Saturday, the little ring about the size of a dime. I didn't know it
    was ringworm until today! 
    
    A few million questions:
    
    Can my cats get it from me?
    
    Is it possible I got it from my cats, or did I get it from my friends
    indoor/outdoor?
    
    What kind of treatment will the cats/kittens get if I think I've
    infected them (that is, if I can give it to them!)
    
    HELP! (I itch itch itch!!!)
    
    Cheryl

    Call up your vet and ask.  I have the dim idea it's contagious
    in both directions from felines to humans.
    

    Hm, better call your friends as well, in case their animals have it and
    they haven't noticed it yet.
    

    I spoke with my friend (she's a DECcie too -- works one floor above)
    and she said that her cat was just at the vet 2 weeks ago and was
    tested negative for ringworm.
    
    I called the vet -- he said that there are several different 'strains'
    of ringworm. He said it is possible to pick it up from outside -- in
    the garden, cutting the grass. However, it is contagious BOTH ways --
    humans to animal, animal to humans. It was recommended that I keep the
    area covered, so the cats can't come in contact with it. Of course, my
    husband is totally THRILLED by all this! 
    
    Anyhow, he (the vet) said I could bring them in for the 2 tests they
    have, but unless I notice the cat scratching alot, bald, flakey spots,
    that I shouldn't worry. He also said I could bath them in the
    anti-fungal shampoo you've been talking about. But there is NO WAY I'm
    bathing my kittens! 
    
    This is fun -- NOT!
    
    

    MAny years ago I came down with one spot of Ringworm...and to
    this day I have no idea how I got it.   I believe it is a fungus...
    just like Athletes feet which you can get from locker rooms...etc.
    I just used an anti-fungal cream...and it disappeared in a week or so!!
    
    I have read that cats can give it to humans...but I'm not sure
    if humans can give it to cats!!!   This weekend I was reading
    one of my cats magazine and there was a small article about
    a woman who has multi cats...and a few of her cats keep getting 
    ringworm every other month.  The ariticle said that one cat can be the
    carrier of the ringworm...but not show any signs!!
    
    Sandy
    
    

    Ringworm is contagious by spores in the air, and can live in an
    environment for up to a year.  It is important to be dilligent in your
    treatment in an effort to eradicate it.  Cats can give it to humans and
    vice-versa.
    

    Cheryl if you have young kittens in the house, I would suggest that you
    stay away from them.  Kittens are the most susceptible.  I have lived
    through ringworm on a litter of kittens because of an orphan Persian I
    took in, what a mess!!  Anyway, it wasn't easy, and it involved bathing
    the kittens every *few days* in antifungal shampoo and dip.  The
    kittens and I all hated it.  But, we were diligent (washing everything
    with bleach and water and spraying down every time we handled them) and
    the rest of the cats never got it.
    
    The cats to worry about are the kittens and any elderly cats you may
    have.
    
    Be careful, change your disinfectant to 1:32 bleach/water, keep the 
    ringworm covered and spray your hands with bleach water before touching
    your kittens.
    
    Jo

    Since I'm going through a bout of ringworm with Nicodemus right now, I
    thought I should move my notes to this one.  Here's what my vets (yes
    plural) have told me:
    
      The more expensive vet in the better part of town says that
    anti-fungal shampoos and dips will do no harm but also do no good.  He
    prescribed fulvicin and Tinactin for the patches on little Nic.  (The
    patch on his muzzle seems to be clearing up - the hair is growing back. 
    But I found a 50-cent-piece sized patch on his side which is quite red
    and ugly.)
    
      The clinic where my guys were neutered says that anti-fungal dips are
    no good, but an iodine only shampoo would be helpful and it would be a
    good precautionary treatment for Lasher, who is showing no signs of
    ringworm (and hopefully never will!).  But Jo's vet recommends a
    sulphur based dip as a useful treatment (?).
    
      Both vets agree that keeping the two cats separated is the best bet
    as far as preventing Lasher from getting the fungus, and that keeping
    the environment CLEAN CLEAN CLEAN will help prevent recurrence.  I am
    going to have the cleanest apartment in Fresno between vacuuming all
    the time to make sure I don't have any fleas, sponging down all my
    cupboards, closets and coutertops after they fumigated my apartment,
    and sponging down and disinfecting EVERYTHING in an effort to get rid
    of this ringworm as quickly as possible!
    
    Michelle
    
    

    Consider this Michelle...a bottle of Lym dip will cost you maybe $12.00
    and will probably be the last thing that you have to buy to get rid of
    the ringworm.  Vets often are looking at the bottom line.
    
    I wouldn't use tinactin on the cat since it isn't safe for consumption
    and the cat may lick it off.  I used the veterinary brand when I first
    started treating my kittens.  There are two types, Conofite and
    Veltrim.  
    
    I used ointment for weeks with no improvement.  When I started using
    the dip, the ringworm cleared up.  I managed to keep it from spreading
    in the house by keeping the infected kittens isolated in an enclosed
    cage in my bedroom, and by using an industrial fogger to fog nolvasan
    in the room once a week or so.
    
    Fulvicin is not considered save for use in purebred cats because it can
    play havoc with their livers.  It can also make some cats sick to their
    stomachs.
    
    Jo
    
    

    There is so much that I want to say to you folks but I hesitate
    getting caught by my boss so I will make this quick.  I had entered
    a note into this file about a month ago with regards to my little 
    Tigress vomiting up huge hair balls.   A couple of you recommended that
    I take her to Dr Holub at Countryside Vetinary Hosp. in Chelmsford.  
    So, I did.  The man spent one full hour with us!!!  I could not believe
    it!  He was the third vet that I had taken Tigress to for the past 2yrs
    because of her constant licking and tearing out of her fur.  To make
    a very long story short.  Dr Holub thought that her problem was food
    allergies but he took a culture - just in case.  Sooooo, we get this
    call at 9:00pm the other night.  Tigress has Ringworm!!!!  I was so
    upset!  My baby had suffered almost 2 years with this and the other
    vets, one of whom I have been taking all four cats to for years failed
    to recognize the condition or even test for it.  Instead, they gave her
    steroids, cortizone shots, hormone pills and more steroids.  They told
    me she was neurotic!!  Her little breasts began to enlarge and thank
    God Dr Holub said it was from the hormones and that they would shrink
    down to size over the next 6 months.
    
    Anyway, has anyone out there had to treat a kitty for Ringworm?  We 
    gave her her first shampoo and dip last night.  Of course she wants to
    lick the medication off.   I get so nervous when I have to treat her
    because I hate to upset her.  If anyone out there has experience in this
    area please write to me.  
    
    I want to thank you folks for recommending Dr Holub, our new vet.   He
    is a real pro and a great doctor.  He raises show cats!  I love it!!!!
    
    Thanks again!
    
    Arlene, Jackie, Marvin, Tammy, Tigress and the hubby - Jim
    
                                                                          

    Just a suggestion. If you don't want her to lick the medicine right
    off, you may want to put an Elizabethan collar on her for a while after
    treatment to give it some time to work. I know it sounds awful, but
    she may be better off if the medicine actually gets to work before it
    gets licked off, and after two years ( poor baby!) we know licking
    doesn't do the trick. ;-)
    
    Maybe check with your vet to see if he agrees? I don't know where you
    work, but I live in Hudson, MA and work in Northboro, and I have a
    collar you can borrow if you like. It will save you a few bucks. I had
    to have it on Furby for two weeks straight when she had a drain in her
    leg. She walked like an anteater, wagging her head back and forth, but
    she did fine.
    
    Yonee

I've got ringworm, not my cats.  I don't know where I got it from, maybe some
body else's cat.  I thought it was a rash, not ringworm, because my cats are 
fine.  They don't go outdoors and have never shown any symptoms.

Like an idiot, I didn't go to the doctor until after it had spread.  So now
I've got lots of little patches in some hard-to-reach places.  The doctor 
recommended Lotrimin AF twice a day, but how do I put it on my back?  And will
that stop it from spreading more?  Does anybody know if I could or should dip 
myself?  With what?


Pilar.

    I'd call your doctor back and let him/her know that you haven't anyone
    to put the stuff on your back, and is there anything else you could do? 
    
    If it's any help, I once had a bad injury to the back of my left arm,
    and I was supposed to put cream on it every day for a while, and I
    couldn't really see it to do it, so I went to health services twice a
    day, and the nurse helped me out. Don't know if this is an alternative
    for you, but I thought I'd suggest it anyway.
    
    Yonee
    

    You don't necessarily have to have gotten the ringworm from your
    cats.  If I remember correctly it can be an airborn thing.  Not
    stating this well am I.  I'd be more definite if I was sure of 
    my memory.
    
    I had a tiny spot once a zillion years ago on my leg.  Put cream
    on it for a while and it disappeared.  Never did figure out where
    I got it from.
    
    Yonee's suggestion about asking for help sounds like a good plan.
    
    Jan

    
    I put my cats on an oral medication called Fulvicin, has your doctor
    mentioned it?
    
    ...Rania
    

Thanks for your suggestions.  The doctor was in a hurry to get me out the door,
so I wasn't able to ask a lot of questions.  She just said use the cream for
at least two weeks.

I can prob'ly get my mother to put the cream on my back.  We have no nurse in
this building anymore.  It's just that I'm starting to feel like I itch all
over, and something I could soak in sounded good.

The doctor had no ideas about where I could have gotten it from, but if it can
be airborne I'm gonna go out and buy the biggest bottle of Clorox I can find,
and wash everything in my condo...


Pilar + Joey + BB

      It can be gotten from places you might not suspect. My hubby got
    it on the back of his neck from one of those quick hair cut places.
    Seems they did not even disinfect their haircutting instruments between
    uses, he didn't notice that until he was halfway through the haircut.
    Shortly after, this ringworm appears on his neck.  Luckily, we got rid
    of it with the cream without any problems.  I have also heard of it
    being spread at health clubs, massage parlors, any place where bodies
    touch the same things....

    Pilar, a suggestion for itchy skin - get yourself some Neutrogena
    sesame oil lotion (about $6-$8 in any drugstore) and after showering,
    put this on.  Don't towel dry though, just wait a couple of minutes
    before getting dressed.  The Neutrogena oil will leave your skin very
    soft and smooth, not itchy.  Also be careful about lenghty hot showers
    which can cause your skin to dry out even more!

    
    Back when I first had ringworm the Dr. gave me a RX for Fulvicin.
    Unfortunately, Fulvicin does the same thing to human livers as it 
    does with cat livers.  He also gave me an expensive cream. When I got
    another cat (which came with ringworm) I got it again and on the advice
    of Cin used Micatin.  It cleared up in no time flat.  Last week while
    visiting a friend I noticed a mark on her boy's neck.  It was
    ringworm (they have no pets), and after applying the Micatin for 3 days 
    it was almost gone.  Moral of the story, you ask?  Don't pay alot of money
    for 'scripts.
    
    Make sure that no one else uses your towel after showering and for that
    matter, don't reuse the towel on yourself.  There is a chance that you
    could re-infect yourself and you'll be back at square one.
           

    I know this may sound extreme, but this string of notes reminded me of
    a story my dada told me.
    
    When he was young, he worked on a farm in New York. The cows somehow
    all contracted ringworm, and had huge ones all over them. Needless to
    say, my dada also ended up with them all over his arms. He called the
    vet or doctor (I forget, but it may have been the same guy anyway! 8-0)
    and told him wwhat was going on, and this is what the guy told him to
    do.
    
    He told him to drain the old oil from the crankcase of the tractor, and
    'paint' the cows with it all over the ringowrm, and a generous area
    around them too, and to also do the same thing to himself. Well, in 
    three days, the ringworms on his arms were gone, and they were
    literally dfalling off the cows! Talk about country dodctor low cost
    treatments! Who woulda thunk it?
    
    I don't think I'd try it today, but I thought it was an interesting
    story about old time remedies.
    
    Yonee

re .38:

Thanks, those are good suggestions.  I changed my sheets and towels last night.  
Is it enough to just wash them with detergent or should I add some Clorox?

re .39:

Thanks, but no thanks!  ;-)



Now that I'm a little less itchy, I'm starting to worry about my cats.  Could
they catch ringworm from me?  Good grief!  Maybe I should have them dipped just
in case?  They're not very friendly and don't rub against me very much, but they 
do allow me to brush them.  One will sit in my lap so long as I keep brushing.  
Guess I should wash my hands _before_ I touch them as well as after.


Pilar + Joey + BB

    Gee! And I thought for sure you'd run right out and drain the oil form
    your car! ;-) NOT!!!!!!
    
    But, I thought it was interesting what they did before the magic of
    modern medicine. There were remedies, but I'll take the new ones, thank
    you very much! ;-)
     
    
    Yon

    A little bleach can go a long way!  I always use bleach to cleanse
    anything that can stand it as a precaution.  Bedding (mine and the
    cats), floors, countertops.  Once a week I fill the bath tub with hot
    water and bleach and then in goes all the plastice toys, bowls,
    litterboxes etc.  Bleach can kill many things at a low dosage.  It is
    cheap too!
    Karen

The cats are definitely negative for ringworm (nothing grew from BB's fur
sample) and I'm starting to wonder about myself.  It is _not_ responding
to treatment :-(


Pilar.

    Hello folks........I am a fairly new person here at DEC and I have a
    greatlove for cats!!  In fact, I have a cattery of persians and exotic
    shorthairs.  I just got a very exciting new piece of news from a vet
    out in Minnesota at an animal clinic-----Fort Dodge will be selling a
    vaccine for ringworm in early December 1993.  The vet works at
    Jefferson Labs where they have done extensive testing and experimenting
    with cats that have had ringworm.  He went on to say that on all the
    cats that they did testing on, 90% of them came through in flying
    colors using the vaccine.  I requested a catalog of their other
    products that they sell for my cattery which I should get any day.
    As soon as I hear some more information about this wonderful news,
    I will pass it on!!!!!
    
    
    
                                Jeane

    My son's daycare has had an outbreak of ringworm this week, and they
    just called to say they thought he had it on his face.  
    
    I posted a request for advise in the Medical notes, and it was
    suggested it could be a fungus carried by cats.  Help me out here, I
    don't understand what or how he could have had anything passed on by
    two indoor cats, or even Barney our outside homeless stray (31.214?)
    
    Can anyone explain how this could be transmitted from cat to human? It
    was suggestedsomething about licking an area of the cats' body, and the
    saliva transmits it to the human.  Nice in theory but neither the two
    kids inside nor Barney on the outside have had any saliva contact with
    either us or the child.
    
    Help!
    Lyn

    Cats DO transmit ringworm but that doesn't mean that this particular
    outbreak came from any of your cats (existing or stray).  It could have
    been ANY of the children which started the outbreak.
    
    I remember I got ringworm once as a child - no big deal, just had some
    ointment to put on and I got to stay home from school!
    
    Linda

    I caught it from Jimmy. He had what looked like a scratch near his eye
    and I thought he'd been fighting so I put anti-septic on it and ...
    KISSED IT BETTER!!!

    
    	Ringworm is transmitted from the hair spores off a cat...the spores
    live for a very long time in the right conditions.  Use deluted bleach
    on the infected area.  One time ought to do it.
    

    Well.... looks like I have a problem with ringworm too!!!  The "kids"
    have it..... BAD!  

    Boomer is by far the worse of the 3, the vet ended up shaving him last 
    night!  He has 2 spots on his neck, both are bigger than a quarter... 
    that's a lot of fungus for a little tiny neck; he has a spot on his back 
    about the size of a nickel, and one under his eye, that is tiny!  He is 
    on oral medication (I can't remember what kind) 2 times a day, and 
    ointment 1 time a day.  

    Doodlebug has 3 little spots, one on her tummy and one on the back of
    her neck, and one under one eye, that look like tiny chickenpox.  She
    is on ointment once a day.  AND, one claw is involved... not the whole
    paw, just one nail!

    Via has 1 spot, about the size of a dime, on her tummy.  No place else! 
    She is on ointment once a day!

    They are all locked in a former bedroom..... my son just moved out, so
    his room is empty (sort of, he still has some "junk" in there).  I just
    bought a new cat tree, and Boomer had rolled all over the top shelf the
    night we brought it home.  I have put that in the room, right in front
    of the window, so they can look out!  I took a bunch of the toys they
    like and put them in there, plus the new litter box and some food/water
    bowls.  My husband is going to bring an old easy chair up from the
    basement so that we can go in and sit with the kids.  I've put a high
    wattage lamp in there, on the table, so that I can see what I am doing
    when I medicate them.... and we have also put a night light in for
    them to feel less isolated at night!

    Now if I could just make them understand that we still love them, but
    they have to be locked up for a minimum of 3 weeks.  Boomer does
    nothing but cry at the door, and stick his poor little paws out from
    under the door!  It is so pathetic!!!!!  I feel like such a heartless
    cretin.... "Bad Mommy!!!"

    I have checked the "girls", Chessie and Hotrail.... and neither of them
    has any signs of problems... I will keep an eye out for any
    abnormalities!!!  I have even tried checking the dog, but he thinks I am
    playing, and won't stand still long enough.  I will continue to check
    him too, as much as he will let me!

    Now comes the questions:

    I am going to start scrubbing things down with a bleachy solution, but
    what do I do with colored fabrics; such as my furniture, blankets,
    wall-to-wall carpeting, and the new scratching pole that has 3 tiers of
    carpeting, and hemp/rope on the posts??????

    How often should I scrub everything?  Every day, every other day... once
    a week thoroughly?????

    If the spots clear up, and stay clear for more than a few days, is it
    OK to let them out for short amounts of time, to re-acclimate them to
    the rest of the family???

    Has anyone ever use Imprego (I think that's how it's spelled)?  It is
    an anti-fungal solution that I got from my allergist.  I am to mix it
    up with water and use it to help keep molds from growing in my house. 
    I can even water plants with it... it is non-toxic to people, animals
    and plants... but does a real job on molds.  I have even put it in my
    humidifier that is built into my furnace.  If it is OK for all this
    use, I wonder if it would be OK to bath the kids in?????

    Thanks for the suggestions/help/understanding!

    Oh... I did call and leave word for Pricilla, and the Pat Brody
    Shelter.  These kids were loose in the kitten room, and I wanted
    Pricilla to be aware that she might have a problem on her hands.  Not
    that I blame her, or anyone else... things like this happen when you
    open your heart to "problem children"...  I just wanted to warn her to
    watch the other kids.
    
    Thanks again!
    
    M-L
    
    PS:  just for some clarification...  we have always called Hotrail and
    Chessie the "girls".... and are now calling the kittens the "kids".  So
    if you hear me talk about one of the girls, it is the older cats... and
    one of the kids could still be female, but it is just a "kid" to us!
    8^}

    I just called home... Boomer is on Fulvicin 250 mgs., now I'm worried
    about possible long-term medical problems, or death... from reading the
    earlier notes!  Should I call the vet and talk to them, or has this
    medication been improved since the earlier notes????
    
    The ointment is Conofite 2% cream.  Anything I should know about this
    medication too??  Other than it taste bad, just ask poor Via.  I put it
    on her last night, and she started to clean it off... but gagged
    herself, and hasn't touched that spot since!
    
    Poor babies!!!

    Ringworm is one of those things that most often pops up in times of
    stress.  In other words, the cat could be harboring it, but not break
    with it until something stresses their immune system, like a change of
    environment.  The kittens at the PB Shelter might not ever break with
    it while there, but could become infected after adoption.  One thing's
    for sure... the spores are very contagious, even to humans, so be very
    careful!
    
    I believe there is a very good shampoo or dip to treat ringworm;
    however, I cannot recall the name.  Your vet might know.  For some
    reason, the word "lyme dip" is swimming around in my head (lots of room
    to swim this morning too!!).
    
    Good luck!
    Roberta
     

    Does Ringworm have to be in the form of a ring?  Could it be just in
    patches?  Could it look like just a red raised bumpy rash?  Please tell
    me no!  I think Markie has some sort of skin rash.  She had it once
    before when I first got her and it disappeared in a couple of days by
    using cortazone on it.  She's gotten it again and has had it now for a 
    few days and it seems to be getting better (again, I'm using the
    cortazone).  She has a vet appointment next so if it doesn't get better
    by then, I'll have them look at it.
    
    Lori B.

    Lori -- it could be a form of excema.  My ex-cat TK used to get
    rashes in the form of patches and fur loss.  His was due to food or
    inhalant allergies.  Cortisone (taken orally) would clear it up.
    

    I just recently changed her food to Kat Kare when she came down with a
    UTI due to the low ash content.  The rash has come since she's been
    eating that food.  The first time she had the rash was just after I got 
    her and I had changed her food at that time too.  Coincidence?
    
    Lori B.

    Pricilla just called me.... she is flabbergasted!  She will be headed
    over to the shelter later to check the rest of the kittens.  I hope my
    3 are just isolated incidents', but I fear the worst!  

    I am going to call my vet to see about shampooing them a couple times,
    to help speed up the recovery..... plus it won't hurt to do the girls
    and the dog at the same time.  Just to play it safe!

    I will also ask them how to clean my furniture/upholstery, and my
    carpets!  Gee..... the is a hell of a way to make someone clean their
    house!!!!!  Hell of a way!!!  ;^}
    
    M-L

    This sound very familiar! Becky (my mother's cat) was a stray kitten
    that was picked up by a breeder. Mum took her in and she went down with
    ringworm - the breeder specialised in PERSIANS! Fortunately she'd kept
    Becky away from her own cats.
    We all caught ringworm, too. My sister passed it on to one of my cats,
    Jimmy. I noticed what looked like a scratch on his eye, bathed it and
    kissed it better, so I caught it too!
    
    I think ringworm must be difficult to tell in its early stages - Becky
    went to the vet the day before she went down with it and returned with
    a clean bill of health (apart from the inevitable earmites).

    I hate me!!!  I have these poor little creatures depending on me to
    love them and love them... and well, love them!  And what do I do??  I
    lock them in a room (with a new Arubacat kitty tree, hundreds of toys,
    food enough for an army, clean litter pan, an easy chair, an almost new
    queen size comforter from my last bed, a night light, a window with the
    blinds pulled up so they can see out in the backyard to watch the
    birds), I bathe them in smelly shampoo (that makes them soft and
    silky), I put ointment on their scaly spots, I pill Boomer.... and I
    spend about 1/2 hour in the morning and at least 2 times at night with
    them...... I hate me!!!!

    Poor little Boomer sits by the door and cries his heart out.  He just
    doesn't understand why he can't roam around the house any more!!!  He
    also sits with his arm shoved under the door, trying to grab at things
    (the "girls", or the dog, or that carpet spook that is always teasing
    him).  He is the worse of the three.... he also has a shaved neck and
    part of his back... so he is pathetic looking!  But... as soon as we
    walk in the room that big Alco motor of his starts rumbling!

    Doodlebug is also upset by this arrangement.... after all, it is HER
    house we live in!  And she is locked away!!!  I go in and sit with them
    and she insists I need my face rubbed with her face. (Incidentally, I
    went to the nurses office today to have her check a couple spots on my
    arms and chin.... seems I am irritating those spots by cleaning them
    after touching the kittens..... hey, better to be safe than sorry).  

    And then there is poor little shy Via.... I don't have to hate
    myself... she does it for me!  She sees me come in and runs like mad to
    hide under the chair.  She hates me!!!!  And she is, by far, the one
    with the least amount of ringworm.  She has one little spot on her
    tummy!  But, she hates me!!!!!!

    I feel so guilty!  I am such a bad Mommy!!!!  Can someone try and cheer
    me up???  Please!

    M-L  (or should that be L-M, for Lousy Mommy?)
                    

    I do not really know what's all about, for I did not read *all*
    previous notes herein. But I think if someone is touched so deep as
    you, that one cnnot be lousy!
    
    As I see the things, your cats are not healthy, and you do everything
    for them to heal quick. Shot stitches are painful, loneliness the like,
    but both must be done for healing kitty.
    
    Talk to them a lot, and tell them all why, again and again. Cats *do*
    understand human speech!
    
    I think you're a good mom... I'll consult it with Smokey and I'll ask
    her to send some telapathic comfort to your kitties, as I send it for
    You... *now*.
    
    
    Nat

    ML...they will forgive you and even though they think you
    have deserted them to this room....you know deep down it was
    best for everyone.   A lousy Mom would have ignored the spots
    and let the ringworm spread all over their bodies...a lousy Mom
    would not have bought them a new tree, toys, and spoil them
    rotten!!!  Once they are out of their room...all will be forgiven.
    
    How is the ringworm???  Is it getting any better???
    
    Sandy
    

    Yes.. the ringworm is getting better, I think!  The ointment cakes up,
    so it's hard to see clearly.  I am going to have to bathe Boomer and
    Doodlebug again, Via doesn't look scummy (she still feels soft and
    silky too) so I may not bathe her again.  Steven (husband/sucker for
    kittens) says if I bathe one or two, I really should do all three! 
    Yeah, he can say that... I'm the one doing the bathing... he's the one
    whelding the camera!  More pictures due in today, I hope, next time
    anyone is in MKO drop by!!!!!
    
    Last night I dragged Via out from under the easy chair... and just held
    her!  This morning I went in to spend some time with them, and she
    crawled out to watch for a few minutes and then was up in my lap too! 
    Maybe she'll forgive me, eventually!
    
    She was funny last night... Hotrail, one of the "girls", was sitting
    outside crying (or was that a Siamese YOWL) and Via tried to rub her
    body through the door.. all the time purring and trilling at Hotrail! 
    She ever rubbed on the black arm that shot under the door and reached
    around as far as it could go!
    
    I am going to be taking them back in this coming weekend, if I can get
    an appointment, and have them checked... hopefully the vet will say
    they have cleared up enough to be let out into society again.... I have
    company coming the following weekend, and hope they are safe by then!
    
    I guess I'm not that bad a Mommy... I was just very depressed
    yesterday, thinking about those poor little babies locked away!!!  I
    still get depressed when I have to shut that door in their little
    faces!!!  They just don't understand!  I wonder if Steven would be
    willing to take the TV in there... then they could watch the soaps for
    me!!!!
    
    Will keep you all updated as to our progress!!
    
    M-L

    M-L,
    
     You're NOT, I repeat, NOT a bad Mommy!!!! You are a WONDERFUL Mommy! A
    "BAD" Mommy might have ignored the problem, or maybe banished them to a
    cold porch, or maybe even tossed them outside! (heaven forbid!) But,
    you took on the responsibility of these little furfaces, and are taking
    care of the problem. How can that possibly be considered bad?
    
     I truly admire you for your strength in dealing with this. I know how
    much you must want to let them out, but you don't, because you know
    this is the best thing for them, in order for them to get well, and
    contain the fungus from the ringworm. 
    
     Of course I'm sure they are putting on the academy award winning act
    of "Let's make Mommy feel guilty" which makes things even more
    difficult. But, just stick to your guns, and get them well, and when
    they are finally released again, you will be forgiven. It may take a
    couple of days, according to the laws of furfaces, but you WILL be
    forgiven! ;-)
    
     Keep it up, and any time you need some reassurance this is DEFINITELY
    the place to come!
    
     Love,
    
     Yonee
                                                                   

    
    M-L,
    
    I read your note (.50) last week and meant to reply but I've been
    pretty busy.  
    
    I went through a bout with ringworm with my 2 cats.  I eventually put
    them on Fulvicin because the ointments weren't containing the ringworm. 
    Since I too was concerned about possible health (liver) problems I ran
    CBC's on them weekly.  This was an added expense but it made me feel
    better.
    
    I used Conofite ointment and that too can be expensive.  I had the vet
    shave their fur so that it was easier to apply and not as wasteful. 
    This gave us a chuckle because Cleo looked so funny all shaven with
    these 2 big, red ears.
    
    At the end I used Lym Dip.  If I remember correctly my vet didn't
    recommend it but I was sick of this ringworm crap that I decided to use
    Jo Brown's advice.  I think the Lym Dip was the key.  Either that or
    everything else I tried was finally taking effect.
    
    Well, that's been my experience with the dreadful ringworm.  Good luck!
    
    ...Rania
    
           

    The kids went in last Thursday, for a recheck!  Boomer is great, he
    still had a few little spots, but it looked good compared to almost 3
    weeks earlier.  Via had one spot on her tummy that we knew about, and
    we had clipped the fur to get the ointment down to it.. she insisted on
    cleaning it off.  The vet shaved her tummy for us, and so far she is
    being good about not cleaning the ointment off!  Doodlebug had a really
    fluorescent green ear, I knew she had it there and was using the
    ointment, but she gets her brother to clean it off for her!  Her ear is
    now shaved too.  

    Soooo, they are still quarantined!  They go back in on the 11th, the day
    before we leave for Florida.  I sure hope they can be set free while we
    are gone, as the person babysitting probably won't want to mess with
    doing medication!  And I hate to have to take them to the vets to be
    boarded, if they would even take them!

    AND, I am such a cruel Mom!!!  My daughter, Sarah, came in the other
    day and said, "What is this on my leg"?... well, I started to laugh! 
    There was this perfect little "O" on her upper thigh!  She was really
    upset that I would laugh... but I couldn't help it!  When she found out
    the kittens had it she refused to have anything to do with them... she
    didn't want to get it!  And I thought it was hysterical that Steven and
    I have been with them so much and show no signs of it, but she hasn't
    been near them and she has one spot!  What a good Mom I am!!!  

    M-L

    The bad news is:  

    I gave Steven a hair cut last night... he has one spot, that I could 
    see, right above his left ear, at the hairline.  I used a fine tooth 
    comb and checked the rest of his head, after the haircut, and saw a 
    few tiny little red spots, but that could have been from the haircut!  
    He is using Lotrimin AF on the known spot, and all over the base of 
    his hairline and neck.  And Sarah has another spot on her foot.  She 
    went in the kitten room the other day without shoes on, we warned her, 
    but she was only in there a few minutes.  Just long enough, I guess!!!

    The good news is:

    After the haircut, I had him go through my hair (different comb, thank
    you very much), and he couldn't find a thing!!  YES!!!!  Plus.... we
    picked up a new pet shampoo, new to us, not new to the market.  I don't
    remember the name, but we can use it every day.  The kids got baths
    last night, and will get them every day or at least every other day
    until we leave next Friday for Florida.  They were suppose to go to the
    vet on Thursday to be rechecked... but will be going in Friday morning,
    and will stay until we get back on the 21st.  It is going to cost a
    fortune, BUT... it will be well worth it to know they are getting the
    medication they need every day, and hopefully will be releasable when
    we get home.  I really didn't want to leave Alex, my housesitter, with
    the chore of medicating the kids, and worrying about him possibly
    spreading it to the rest of the cats and himself.  Now all he has to do
    is stay at the house and feed/water/keep litter boxes clean for Chessie
    and Hotrail.

    MAYBE THERE IS LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL!!!!  (do you think the
    cat Gods heard that, and will help us out???)

    Will add a Ringworm vs. Belforti Cat House update when I get back to
    work on the 29th (a whole week with the kids... all to myself... how
    exciting!!!!!)  Please keep your fingers crossed for us!!!

    Thanks, and in case I don't get back in here before my vacation starts
    (next Wednesday at 5:00), have a really good Holiday.. drive safely!!!

    Hugs,

    M-L

    The cat who hates the kids, she walks by the bedroom door where they
    reside and hisses and growls at the door... she has it on her ear.  I
    am so upset with this!  We can't figure out how she got it!  We
    "sterilized" out house (shampooed AND steamed the carpets, took down
    all the drapes and washed them in bleachy water.. etc, etc, etc....)
    and just cleaned the heck out of EVERYTHING!!!  Plus we clean the heck
    out of ourselves, whenever we touch them!!!
    
    And Chessie now has it on her ear!  The vet is beside herself.  She
    can't figure it out either.  She put Chessie on pills, and ointment..
    and will take a look at her on Friday when we take the kids in to be
    boarded.  
    
    Watch!  Anyone want to bet what is going to happen??  I'll bet the kids
    are going to be able to come home, and not have to be medicated any
    more, and Chessie will have to be boarded!  Any takers???  Actually, I
    think I will board the kids anyway, just to play it safe!
    
    I'm so glad I love these guys... cuz if I didn't, I'd be really PO'ed
    about all this!  But how can you be mad at a little wet face looking up 
    at you from under a couple of towels, with shaved spots showing, and
    the ointment tube sitting next to them... and they are still
    purring?????
    
    I'm outta here (notes files that is)... 2 1/2 weeks of work to do in
    the next 3 days, and then I'm off to Disney World!!
    
    See you when I get back!
    
    M-L, Hotrail, Casey, Chessie, Boomer, Doodlebug, Via and the other
    humans in our house! 

    I just got a call from M-L.  She's on her way to Florida for vacation,
    so she can't get in here.  She asked me to put this note in.
    
    EVERYONE'S CLEAR OF THE RINGWORM!!  She brought the three "kids" and
    Chessie, the adult who they though had ringworm to the vets yesterday
    and it's all gone!  Even on Chessie.  It turns out that she didn't have
    ringworm in the first place.  They're not sure what it was. 
    
    There's one tiny little green spot on one of the kittens (she says it's
    only about 3-4 hairs), so the cat sitter needs to put ointment on that
    one spot while they're gone.  But everyone's running free again!  
    
    She's SO excited that she doesn't have to board these babies and that
    the ringworm is FINALLY GONE!  Now she can go and enjoy her vacation!
    
    Holly
    

    Holly,
    
     Thanks for putting that in! I was wondering how she made out before
    her trip!
    
     Good news on a Friday for a change! I like it!
    
    Yonee

    On Saturday I took Mystic (the patio cat) in for her annual checkup.
    She is quite healthy and got her shots with only a little protesting.
    As we were checking her out I noticed something on her right ear.  
    The vet took a look and said it looked like ringworm.  She recommended
    I get some Tinactin and put it on her ear for 28 days.
    
    She says they usually prescribe Konovite but that they were having 
    trouble getting it recently.  Now they're suggesting Tinactin.  She
    also said that they're having great results with the Tinactin.  Some
    cases of ringworm that weren't responding to the Konovite are clearing
    up quickly with the Tinactin.
    
    I was amazed.  I'd never heard of using Tinactin for ringworm (not that
    I have tons of experience here).  When I asked if Tinactin was the 
    same stuff they use for athlete's foot she asked me what athlete's foot
    was and when I couldn't answer she said it is "ringworm of the feet".
    Okay, I guess I'll go get some and give it a try.  If they're getting
    good results with it then it must work.
    
    
    Jan

    Hi Jan,
    
    I'd be curious to see how well Tinactin works - I bet it's cheaper than
    Konofite.  Question - did your vet take some hairs to culture for
    ringworm?
    
    regards,
    liz

    We had a bout of ringworm working it's way through our 5 cats. Three
    came down with it, two lucked out. Mom and Dad were "not" among the
    lucky ones. We both picked it up from the cats. After going the mega
    buck route with the vet, and the Tinactin for us, we used the Tinactin
    on all of us. Cleared everything right up. Used it for about a week.
    
    Steve

    I've been told to use the Tinactin for 28 days.  There wasn't a 
    culture done.  I looked at Mystic's ear and said what's that on
    her ear (knowing deep down it was probably ringworm).  The vet
    examined it a little closer and said this is ringworm.
    
    I've been putting the Tinactin on for 2 days.  I can't believe 
    she sits still long enough for me to do this.  Maybe it feels good
    when I rub that stuff on her ear.  I follow this up with a hand
    wash in antibacterial soap and a spritz of bleach and water solution.
    I do not want to share this with the rest of the cat family.
       
    Jan