Ringworm

[Corporal Smokey]

Eye infections?!?! Bloomin eck! Smokey's had conjunctivitis a few times since I've had him but it's a couple of days of Fucithalmic and a camomile-tea-eye bath (thanks for that one T, works wonders!)

I do sometimes wonder if they're using these things to keep the feral population low. It's sad really.

[Millys Mum]

On US TNR sites i read about their vets advising that if any feral needs more than one lot of treatment it should be pts, eye infections and ringworm were the 2 examples 

[madkittyrescue]

In large colonies it is not unheard of for vets to advise a cull of all cats on the premises and burn everything to kill it out. 

Well that IS completey crazy  - ridiculous!!! after all, no cat ever died of ringworm for goodness sake - its a skin condition pure and simple, yes contagious - but as I said before, some cats are more susceptible to it, you can often have a group of cats where some are affected but others arent, even in close contact.

yip... totally agree... its a nuisance more than anything and where there are a large number of cats affected it can prove a complete and utter nightmare to get rid of..... suggesting such a thing (IMHO) is ignorance on the part of the vet and a complete lack of consideration for animal life.   

that said i still also believe that with something such as ringworm seeking advice re treatment as quickly as possible is the responsible thing to do before it gets out of hand and starts spreading.


Sxx

[Corporal Smokey]

Well I'm not worried you'll be glad to know. I've found out that my friend's cat has been kept in isolation since it was discovered. It hasn't spread to any human or other animal and her hygiene regime is impeccable. There is virtually no chance that I have been in contact with it and if I had, there is even less chance Josh would have it as he's perfectly healthy. Not forgetting of course that I have a persian who would be far more susceptible to ringworm and looks more perfect and fluffy every day.

I really should've Frontlined before panicking... Only fleas getting culled round here!

[Gillian Harvey]

In large colonies it is not unheard of for vets to advise a cull of all cats on the premises and burn everything to kill it out. 

Well that IS completey crazy  - ridiculous!!! after all, no cat ever died of ringworm for goodness sake - its a skin condition pure and simple, yes contagious - but as I said before, some cats are more susceptible to it, you can often have a group of cats where some are affected but others arent, even in close contact.

[madkittyrescue]

I would say that even if you are remotely concerned get the cat to the vet ASAP.

Ringworm as Gillian says is not a worm and your cat being wormed will not stop it from getting ringworm as it is a fungal infection and highly contagious.  You can catch it from an infected cat and pass it on and can spell disaster in terms of trying to get rid  .

In large colonies it is not unheard of for vets to advise a cull of all cats on the premises and burn everything to kill it out. 

Otherwise you just have to keep treating and waiting until it eventually burns itself out.

If at all concerned though get in touch with your vet ASAP.  Ringworm is highly contagious and shouldn't be taken lightly.   

Let us know how you get on.

Hugs & Purrs

Sarah

[Gillian Harvey]

Yes, definitely not a worm! don't know why its called 'worm' - the ring bit is just because its sometimes a  round shape, but worm? daft!

Some people, like some cats, are more susceptible to it.

Yay! I mended my pooter and realised that it's veeerrrrry likely I'm being a paranoid silly person. There is hardly anything and, guess what, it's Frontline day today so it's far more likely to be that.

Well, I'm no expect on ringworm, but those don't look like ringworm lesions, the fur is usually a bit thinner there anyway, but hey, I could be wrong!   

[Corporal Smokey]

Yay! I mended my pooter and realised that it's veeerrrrry likely I'm being a paranoid silly person. There is hardly anything and, guess what, it's Frontline day today so it's far more likely to be that.

Here are some pics...





and, just cos he's lovely...

[Corporal Smokey]

I'll try and take one when I get home. My home pooter's a bit broken though so I may have to rebuild before I upload...

[Millys Mum]

I hate ringworm and if it were me id get the vet to use a woods lamp and see if it glows. Better to nip it in the bud. Not all types of ringworm glow tho so a culture is the best way to be sure.

If you want to treat at home use daktarin or canestan creams.

Do you have a pic?

[Ela]

Dont worry if your cats are wormed you are not likely to get it.

Ringworm is not a worm. It is a fungal infection and highly contagious. Humans can easily catch it from their cats. Sometimes it takes many weeks of treatment to completely irradiate it.

Usually a vet uses a woods lamp to diagnose it.

[Corporal Smokey]

You're both right. It's like a swirly ringy fungal thingy (nice rhyme).

Just want to make sure Josh the wondercat's ok 

[Dawn F]

is that right yvonne? I thought it was fungal?

[Yvonne]

Dont worry if your cats are wormed you are not likely to get it.

The ringworm that I have encountered is like a swirly ring on the wrist, very itchy, not pleasant but not painful.

The treatment is or at least it was many years ago is Tri-adcortyl.

 

[Corporal Smokey]

  thought that may be the case. Just rather you lot told me than the vet!

I have, however been in contact with stuff she's been in contact with. But then she doesn't have it herself.

Another bizarre coincidence is that I have a strange dormant rash on my back which looks not to dissimilar to ringworm (but isn't itchy, just looks weird...nice!) and is being treated with Terbinafine, a ringwormesque treatment.

Oh well, I'll keep an eye on him for a couple of weeks and see how he is.

Thanks!

[Angiew]

paraniod

ringworm can only be passed on through contact though it is possible to bring it home on clothes etc.
Very often it goes without treatment after a few weeks though it can be treated easily enough. It is not a painful condition.

[Corporal Smokey]

I've not really encountered ringworm before but I've just found out that a friend of mine's cat's got it. I've not been in direct contact with her or her cat but have become a little paranoid. Josh has some small (1/4"ish or smaller) patches of fur missing on his ears.

His health is otherwise excellent. He has not been stressed lately (apart from a bit by fireworks) and his fur and eyes seem fine and clear. There's no sign of mites and his behaviour is normal except for one thing. He used to howl for apparently no reason before we got Smokey. Since we've had the cpl, he's stopped. Until recently. He's howled about twice. There seems to be no pain or anxiety associated with his howling so I think it's just coincidence.

Also, Smokey is showing absolutely no signs of it and he's longhaired, thus more susceptible.

Should I get him checked out? Can I check him at home? Or am I just being a paranoid crazy?