13 Ringworm Kittens
After our friends at Colonial Heights Animal Shelter contacted us for help with 13 ringworm kittens last week, we are now the proud shelter parents of 13 ringworm kittens.
We want to make these kittens’ stay at RAL as comfortable as possible, so we are asking for help with items that will make their kennels more comfy and offer enrichment.
Metal litter pans (these are easier to disinfect for ringworm than plastic) -Amazon / WebstaurantStore
Lime Sulfur Dip (to treat the Ringworm) - Revival Animal Health / Chewy
Pine Pellet Litter (doesn’t stick to kittens after LS Dipping) - Amazon / Chewy
Homemade Cat Toys (great project to do with your kids) - any DIY cat toys that will fit in their kennels and do not use feathers would be appreciated! We will need to throw most of them away after use.
Jellyfish Lamp (for enrichment) - Amazon
What is Ringworm?
Contrary to its name, Ringworm is not a worm at all but rather a fungus. In the past, because of the circular lesions made by the fungi, they were thought to be caused by worms, hence the name. It does not always grow in this circular pattern, though. There are three types of ringworm. One type is the same fungus typically called "athlete's foot." When this fungus grows anywhere other than the bottom of a person's foot, it is called ringworm. The fungi live on the skin's surface and in the skin follicles, feeding on dead skin tissue and hair.
What does Ringworm look like?
The usual symptom is a round, hairless lesion. The characteristic "ring" we see on humans may not always appear as a ring on animals. This ring will grow in size and often becomes an irregular shape. The fungi cause the hair shafts to break off, and this results in patches of hair loss. Ringworm is commonly found on the face, ears, tail, and paws. The lesions are scaly and may or may not be itchy. Often, the skin will be reddened and inflamed.
How does Ringworm spread?
Transmission can happen by direct contact with another infected animal or person. It can be passed from cats to dogs and vice versa, from pets to humans and from humans to pets. The fungal spores can live in the environment for quite some time and can be found in carpets, bedding, grooming equipment, etc., which can infect an animal when it comes into contact with them. The incubation period is 10-12 days. This means that following exposure to the fungus, about 10-12 days will pass before any lesions occur.
In many cases, ringworm can be spread by contact with infected soil. The fungus can live for months in soil if the nutrients are right. Some people and animals may be at a greater risk than others, including young animals and children, older people and pets, and immunocompromised and highly stressed people and animals. Healthy adult animals (and humans) usually have a resistance to ringworm.
How is Ringworm diagnosed?
There are a few different ways to test for ringworm. The most common is a test that uses a scraping of hair and skin from an infected animal's lesions. This sample is then placed in a medium to see what the culture grows. The vet will then look at any growth under a microscope to determine what it may be.
How is Ringworm treated?
If no treatment occurs, ringworm will run its course in two to four months, and the symptoms will resolve. However, treatment is recommended to save an animal from suffering longer than necessary and reduce the contagious period.
We can employ a few different treatment methods to maximize our effort and take care of the ringworm most effectively.
Oral antifungal medication
Shampoos or dips
Decontaminating the environment
This trifecta of treatment has proven very successful in treating ringworm, but all three components must be diligently carried out as it is considered a "chain" of treatment - if one link is weakened, the chain will break.
What about these 13 kittens?
We have set up these kittens in a separate room from the rest of our cat population, and they are only accessible to certain staff members so that we can limit chances for spread while they are treated. We have gowns, gloves, booties, etc., that staff wear when interacting with the kittens to prevent spores from getting onto clothes or skin and leaving the kittens’ room. Because they will have limited interaction with people, we want to ensure they have toys and other enrichment items to keep them engaged while they are still undergoing ringworm treatment. If you can help with any of these items, please see the list at the top of this blog.
Thank you so much for your help with these kittens.
