I am beside myself with worry here. I have 7 cats that are strictly indoors, all healthy. The one I'm concerned with is diabetic (her diabetes is nicely under control with twice a day insulin and I do home-testing of her blood sugars regularly). She was at the Vet hospital 6 weeks ago to have 2 fatty lipomas removed, was there almost all of the day. I fear perhaps she's contracted Ringworm there but maybe I'm just being paranoid.
I admit, I know nothing about Ringworm so if anyone here is experienced with it, I would greatly welcome your insight and input.
3 weeks ago we thought she had a UTI and due to all oral antibiotics making her throw up, we must use injectable. While waiting for the culture to come back to verify a UTI, the Vet gave her a shot of Tribrissen (sulfa antibiotic), s/c. She howled and howled and howled like I've never seen. I was sent home with 3 days worth, with the option that I could give a shot daily til culture results back or just hold off til results back. Due to her horrid reaction (must have stung badly, Vet says this AntiBx does sting), I decided to hold off so that was her only shot.
About 2 weeks ago while looking for a good spot to give her insulin, I felt a sort of scabbed area beneat her fur, to the area where the Vet had given the Tribrissen. I tried to peel back the fur to have a look but couldn't really see anything. I just attributed it to the Tribrissen and didn't think too much about it.
Tonight I was brushing her, and a small clump of fur just came out, from the area below this "scabby" area..it was about half the size of a dime. The skin beneath it was obviously bare. No redness or open area or sign of inflammation. I examined the small clump of fur...just looked like a dry scaly, dandruffy type scab (not red or pink or like a typical scab). Of course my heart stopped because when I looked at the round, bare spot, I thought "OH MY GOD, Is this Ringworm??"
There's a small scabbed area about a 1/2 inch above this bare spot, you can feel it but can't really see it. I felt her over from head to toe, no other scabbed areas...though I noticed when I was brushing her to her low left flank area, she took a swipe at me (not like her, she's very friendly and sweet).
She is 18 pounds, we are slowly working on gradual weight loss with good nutrition but she isn't able to groom her lower back (where these spots are) very well and has some dandruff. I've started her back on daily Vitamin E (50 IU per day). I am thinking I should start her on some Omege 3 Fatty Acids, too.
From what I've read about Ringworm, it seems to indicate that it's mostly seen on the head, face, neck or maybe legs. It seems to indicate there's redness or crustiness where the 'bare spots' are. This is not the case with her.
I have been combing the internet for 3 hours now, trying to figure out other possible causes for this because I am mortified of the thought that this could be Ringworm, considering I have 6 other cats, plus i know it's contagious to humans (I have no children and my husband is overseas for the next year).
I have tried to find out if injectable Tribrissen can cause this type of scabby area at the injection site and did find something mentioned about it sometimes causing "cutaneous eruptions" and "eczematous dermatitis." You would think with such a horrid pain it caused her when it was injected, that it would naturally be very irritating to the tissues, and could very likely cause what I'm seeing? I am trying to be optimistic.
If it is Ringworm, she could have only ever picked it up at the Vet hospital, which would anger me a great deal because I would expect them to have very high standards when it comes to cleanliness and preventing cross contamination but maybe this is unrealistic?
I have read about the common treatments for Ringworm and I am not very happy. The oral medications sound like they're riddled with serious side effects, especially things like them being hard on the liver, bone marrow, etc. The Lime Sulfur Dip sounds horrid and smelly and I have no idea how I'd ever bathe her by myself, she is big and strong and would go bananas.
I have read that some people have used human antifungal creams and such but these have apparently not been approved for use in cats or animals in general.
I have read anecdotal "cures" from people who have catteries and have dealt with Ringworm many times....suggestions like using household bleach, diluted 1 part bleach to 10 parts water and swabbing it on the spots. This sounds scary to me but those who have recommended it said that it's worked.
I have read about the use of Calendula tincture, Evening Primrose Oil. One place even suggested the use of Tea Tree Oil but I had always heard and read that Tea Tree Oil should *never* be used in/on cats (or dogs) as it can be very very toxic.
Does anyone here have any thoughts? Does this sound like Ringworm? Are there any "telltale signs" that I should look for? Yes I know only a vet can diagnose but my Vet isn't back in until Tuesday and there is no other Vet to see in the meantime so I am left to worry my fool head off until then. I have been searching online for some good close-up pictures of what Ringworm looks like but only found one, it was a picture of a very reddened crusty scab down in the fur, didn't look at all like what Zia has.
If I opted for a Lime Sulfur Dip, where would I get this stuff? Does it come in a powder or liquid? would a human pharmacy sell it? Instead of bathing her, could I just swab the spots with this stuff? Would I need to rinse if off?
If I used the diluted bleach solution, would I leave it on or would I rinse it off? If anybody has any suggestions I would be greatful.
Some sites say if it's ringworm that a person has to destroy all bedding, wipe down every single thing in their home with bleach (because of the tiny little ringworm spores that can be airborne and can land on everything), it sounds exhaustive. Is this really necessary? I have checked all of my other cats and all are fine, no spots or bald areas or scabby spots. I am not about to quarantine my diabetic girl from the rest as the stress of that would throw her diabetes way off, she is a very sociable girl and is very close to the others.
Sorry for the length of this post but I am frantic and so very worried.
Abigail
Does this sound like Ringworm to you?????
Re: Does this sound like Ringworm to you?????
Abigail, chances are, your kitty experienced an allergic reaction to the tribrissen and nothing more. I would cease it's use immediately and make sure this is noted in her health chart at the clinic (including intolerance to oral antibiotics). Baytril injectable might be another option. Until the culture results are confirmed, I don't think there is any harm in waiting and not prescribing antibiotics (again, pending results) unless crystals/stones are involved or unless she is totally unable to void her urine.
Ringworm is very unlikely. You can pretty much define ringworm by it's appearance, .....a circular area, red edges with a bulls-eye appearance.
As for the advice you're getting from other sources, please disregard them. Whoever told you that tea-tree-oil is effective needs their head examined, it is toxic to cats! Bleach is not an acceptable solution, nor is any other alternative treatment. Should ringworm ever be a concern, there are various topicals that are safe the vet can prescribe (I recommend miconazole), without resorting to the harmful effects of oral medication (griseofulvicin, this is one medication I never recommend). Again, it's unlikely your kitty has ringworm, my guess would be an allergice/sensitive response to the tribrissen.
Ringworm is very unlikely. You can pretty much define ringworm by it's appearance, .....a circular area, red edges with a bulls-eye appearance.
As for the advice you're getting from other sources, please disregard them. Whoever told you that tea-tree-oil is effective needs their head examined, it is toxic to cats! Bleach is not an acceptable solution, nor is any other alternative treatment. Should ringworm ever be a concern, there are various topicals that are safe the vet can prescribe (I recommend miconazole), without resorting to the harmful effects of oral medication (griseofulvicin, this is one medication I never recommend). Again, it's unlikely your kitty has ringworm, my guess would be an allergice/sensitive response to the tribrissen.
..........Traci