Well, we just got back from the vet. We brought our 12-year-old for bloodwork and our new guy, Murray because he’s been sneezing and he has these little lumps under his chin and armpit. I, of course, freaked out thinking he had cancer. Ha! He doesn’t; He has ringworm.

So, here’s the skinny, and I’m scared out of my mind to even attempt to do what we’re supposed to do. We have to dip ALL three of our cats. Technically, we only have to dip Murray but Felton said it’d be best to dip all three. I simply cannot imagine dipping Pookum. She will claw our eyes out when we sleep if not during the process. Holy crap, they should give cats (and humans who have to do it) xanax for such a task.

The stuff that they prescribed is called LymDip. We were also given a topical lotion called Conofite.

So, there’s that. I’m glad he’s not sick (We thought it might be his lymphnodes.) But man, dipping our guys in sulfur? Yikes!

Also, I do hope that it’s OK for pregnant women to be exposed to such a thing. Might have to put a call into the doctor. :[

I found this: http://www.fabcats.org/ringworm.html

It lists some different treatments. I think there’s an orally administered liquid, if I’m reading that correctly. It may be a better route for treating Pookum.

You can get ringworm from the kitties… “Direct contact with infected animals should be minimised. Gloves and protective clothing should be worn when administering treatment. Efficient environmental decontamination will reduce exposure to dermatophyte spores.”

Oh my! I’m sorry you’re having to deal with this! Did Dr. Felton look at Murray with the Wood’s Lamp? (It’s a black light that can illuminate the ringworm patches) Everyone freaks out about ringworm the first time, but it isn’t as horrible as it sounds. It’s actually a fungus like Athlete’s Foot and is in the environment naturally all the time. Kittens and older immune-compromised cats are the most susceptible. There are oral medications, but unless it’s a severe, stubborn case aren’t regularly prescribed. The lyme-dip is SUPER-rotten-egg-smelly, but continues to be the first defense. It works better if you use Miconazole anti-fungal shampoo first. If you want Michele, I can do the shampoos and dips for you at BARC. Let me know, I feel like Murray’s godmom and the other guys don’t know me so I can be the awful scary stinky bath lady!

Lisa: Thank you! But I think Tobyjoe is going to attempt a dip for Murray tonight. I am not going to go anywhere near that stuff, I’ll probably vomit on first smell. Although, Felton said that it will make our house stinky too. heh

I read bit more up on it and as long as it’s gone by the time our baby arrives, we should be good. I have to admit, however, I don’t think we’re going to be able to dunk or other two cats without some sort of protective coating. I am sort of hoping that we can dunk Murray and be done with it. He doesn’t go anywhere near pookum and Tucker is healthy and only 4. Am I wishfully thinking?

Oh, and yes, Dr. Felton did use the Wood’s Lamp to see it. She said that one spot in particular was suspicious so we should go ahead and treat him.

A friend of mine wrote to say that when her kittens had it she used just the ointment and scoured the apartment, will that work? Or does dunking have to be done in tandem.

Look at me trying to get out of dunking the cats. hahhahha

Somebody needs to invent body armor for cat-dunking (hee), nail clipping, grooming, and other dangerous kitty parenting tasks. :)

The lyme-sulfur is awful, but it clears out pretty quick if you have plenty of ventilation and when it dries on the fur it’s not too bad. In Brooklyn you can always say to your neighbors that it must be some developer destroying sewer lines.

The topical treatments are good and if you do extra cleaning of surfaces, catbeds & places it should be fine. A strong bleach solution is best.