Ringworm – What is it?

First of all, ringworm is NO a worm is a fungus. Ringworm spores can travel long distances on air currents and can be brought into your home on your clothes/shoes and/or by your dogs and other pets; Basically, ringworm spores are everywhere in the environment; outside as inside our houses. Anyone who has (or has had) a Persian cat knows that at some point they will have to deal with ringworm. In our opinion, any cattery that says they have never had a case of ringworm may not have recognized the signs of infection in their cats. Ringworm and Persian cats (and other long-haired breeds) go hand in hand. Especially when bringing in a new cat or kitten. The stress of the move and the cat’s age can influence that new cat or kitten to develop ringworm within 3 to 4 weeks of arriving in a new home. Very young, very old, and immunocompromised cats or kittens are at greatest risk for ringworm. Exposure to ringworm is why it is imperative to isolate or quarantine a new kitten or Persian cat for at least 4 weeks to ensure that it has not developed ringworm and could infect other household pets. Sometimes a cat can be an asymptomatic carrier, meaning he may have ringworm but show no signs of having it. However, a carrier sheds the spores and infects other cats in the household. Ringworm is a zoonotic disease (it can be transmitted from animals to humans).

If left untreated, ringworm can be very difficult to eradicate from a home, the fungal spores can contaminate the environment a cat is housed in. Ringworm is a systemic disease that requires treatment with an oral medication as well as an antifungal dip (Lime Sulfur Dip) for spores. If this two-pronged approach is not used, it means that the ringworm will not be completely eradicated!

Treatment

sporanox (brand name) – oral medication (generic name: itraconazole). This drug should be administered under the care and guidance of a licensed veterinarian as it can damage the liver. Sporanox is usually dispensed in a 150 ml bottle, with a concentration of 10 mg/ml. The dose to treat ringworm in cats is 10 mg/kg once daily (or 0.50 mL per pound) and should be given with a high-fat meal (a tablet of real butter or canned food is best). Liquid medication appears to be easier to dose as it is more precise for dosing than pills. The cat should also receive at least 21 days of full treatment with the oral medication and the mushroom bath every 5 to 7 days for at least one month beyond the 21 days of oral medication treatment. DO NOT skip a day! Again, This medication is hard on the liver and the cat must have free access to water at all times! If the cat shows signs of anorexia, dehydration, or other symptoms, discontinue use of Sporanox immediately and contact your veterinarian.

Sulfur Lime Dip is an antiseptic keratolytic bath in lime scentin sulfur concentrate for the treatment of sarcoptic mange (ringworm). Lime Sulfur Dip treats ringworm on the cat’s skin and fur. “Soak” the cat at least once a week and continue for at least 30 days after discontinuation of oral medication. Mix the Sulfur Lime Dip according to the directions on the bottle, which is typically 4 ounces of Sulfur Lime Dip to a gallon of water, place the cat in a small tub with the Sulfur Lime Dip solution, and then Pour the solution over the cat to cover its back, neck and chest areas. Soaking the cat in water until it’s wet on the skin beforehand helps the Lime Sulfur Dip penetrate the skin better. Make sure the Lime Sulfur Dip gets into the nooks and crannies of the cat’s claws, a soft toothbrush can be used to gently “rub” the Lime Sulfur Dip into the toes, nail beds and between the fingers. Do NO rinse Lime Sulfur Dip. (Do NO place the Lime Sulfur Dip in the cat’s eyes or mouth, as it is very caustic. Follow label directions if this happens.) Pat the cat gently with a towel, and then dry it completely with a hair dryer. Do not let the cat lick the wet/wet lime sulfur bath solution from its fur. Once the cat’s coat is completely dry, the cat can be bathed safely and without adverse effects.

Lime Sulfur Dip stinks like rotten eggs: the house will stink, the cat will stink, everything will stink. However, it will kill the cat’s spores. If the recommended protocol is followed, in addition to getting three negative results from your vet (the vet will recommend when these skin cultures should be done), the Lime Sulfur Dip, along with the oral medication Sporanox, will definitely eradicate ringworm and its Persian. cats will be ringworm free. This is the only sure way to successfully treat ringworm in the Persian cat breed!

Also, part of treating ringworm is getting rid of (or disinfecting with bleach) all bedding, scratching posts, cat trees, litter boxes, and anything else the cat has come into contact with . If the infected cat has been in contact with other cats in the household, it is best to treat all cats in the household to avoid cross-contamination and possibly passing ringworm back and forth for months.

Once again, a word of caution, don’t NO place this solution in the cat’s eyes or mouth, as it is extremely caustic, and avoid contact with the eyes. It’s also a good idea to wear gloves to protect your hands and wear eye protection.

Please note: Sporanox is a prescription medication and should ONLY be administered under the care and guidance of a licensed veterinarian.