We gave Murray topical ointment for a week in hopes of killing the ringworm. It didn’t work. Not that I thought it would, but a gal can be hopeful, right? Anyway this Saturday we dunked him. Well, Tobyjoe dunked him. It wasn’t nearly as bad as I thought it’d be and the smell reminded me of working in a darkroom throughout my high school and college career. (I worked as a lab assistant in college, mixing chemicals, etc. I smelled like sulfur almost every day.) Anyway, so we successfully dunked the little dude. He cried a little bit and that made me cry but it wasn’t so, so bad.

The hardest part was keeping him locked up in a cage until he drip-dried. We sat with him the entire time talking to him through the cage. Tobyjoe read and I just talked to him. He didn’t cry when we were near him.

Here’s a shot of him being dunked.

I will just never get used to this sort of thing. People say I’ll feel worse after my son is born and I have to take him in for shots. But the thing with that is, I know kids eventually learn how to speak and comprehend. And I know I ended up OK having gone through all that. The thing with people is you can eventually tell them what you did and why you did it. With a cat or a dog, you don’t ever get that option. They just never quite understand why you’re putting them through this. That’s the part that hurts my heart. Even though I know it’s in their best interest, I won’t ever get the chance to explain to them why and have them really understand.

Anyway, I’ll keep folks posted on the ringworm thing. We bleached the floors and cleaned every piece of bedding as well. I hope we can get it on the first try or dunk, rather.

Awwww. Poor little sweetie. I’ll keep my fingers crossed that you guys won’t have to go through this again.

How is everybody doing? What about the sneezes?

I don’t think I knew you’re having a boy!! When are you due?

Murray seems better. Tucker is still sneezing but not as much. And Pookum is coughing and sneezing. (She only just began the antibiotics, so we hope that she’ll be in Tucker’s shoes in no time at all.) :]

I am having a boy! I am due August 4th. (Although, for some stupid reason I feel that he’s coming early. not sure why.)

Well, we’ve been putting the topical on and the ringworm keeps coming. So we dunked the little guy again today. :] He did OK. He doesn’t like to be alone in the cage, however. And so he meows and then Tucker, our orange guy, emulates each meow absolutely perfectly. It’s cute and sad all the same. :]

Cross your fingers this is his last sulfur bath!

Awwww! Yes, definitely crossing our fingers that he won’t have to go through this again.

Well, we dipped Murray on Sunday and he still has the ringworm. :[ It seems to have taken over his chin. It’s not worse, it’s just not going away. I called the vet and they said it can take weeks to get rid of and that I really should be dunking the other two cats as well. (I really can’t do that while pregnant and there is no way Toby can do it without my help so we haven’t dipped either of them yet).

We’re going to give it one more try and really be diligent with the topical cream. After that, I am at a standstill, unsure of what to do to conquer this thing. I’m starting to wonder if it’s ringworm at all. The receptionist at Felton suggested I bring him in for a culture. Perhaps we’ll do that if it doesn’t go away once and for all after the third dip.

We dunked Murray again last Sunday and he STILL has ringworm. Now Pookum has it as well. We called a woman who specializes in terrorizing dunking older more surly cats. I hope she’ll be able to help us out. I’m getting tired of putting Murray through this for sure, but I feel bad for him mainly. Poor guy must be so itchy!

Did you guys ever get him in for a culture? Poor kitties, that totally has to suck. And I’m sure this has done nothing to endear the little guy to Pookum.