We occasionally get ringworm kittens at the shelter and we use Sporonox. What does everyone think of it? It seems to work with no side effects.
It's on my mind because I have a case of ringworm on my elbow! YUCK!
The kittens who gave it to me are all fine now, go figure, LOL!
Sporonox for ringworm
Re: Sporonox for ringworm
For kittens, I would recommend Miconazole instead (either a miconazole shampoo or topical, dosed correctly of course).
Itraconazole can have numerous side effects in any animal, but kittens (as well as immunocompromised or ill adults) may be particularly susceptible to those side effects due to poor immune systems, poor nutrition, etc. It should also not be given to pregnant or nursing cats/kittens.
Miconazole would probably be cheaper in the long run, and much safer for a larger percentage of the shelter cats/kittens, but since every cat/kitten is different with different needs, this needs to be addressed appropriately per case.
Is the shelter vet performing cultures on these kittens? Wood's lamps should never be used soley for diagnosis, cultures are imperative for accuracy in diagnosis and treatment. Are isolation procedures being done accordingly?
Itraconazole can have numerous side effects in any animal, but kittens (as well as immunocompromised or ill adults) may be particularly susceptible to those side effects due to poor immune systems, poor nutrition, etc. It should also not be given to pregnant or nursing cats/kittens.
Miconazole would probably be cheaper in the long run, and much safer for a larger percentage of the shelter cats/kittens, but since every cat/kitten is different with different needs, this needs to be addressed appropriately per case.
Is the shelter vet performing cultures on these kittens? Wood's lamps should never be used soley for diagnosis, cultures are imperative for accuracy in diagnosis and treatment. Are isolation procedures being done accordingly?
..........Traci
Re: Sporonox for ringworm
No cultures are done, we use a Wood's Light, infected cats are isolated. The manager knows the WL is not infallable. They have athlete's foot spray to spray on our bodies and in the air when we have been around the ringworm cats. And of course I wash my hands a LOT.
There have been very few cases of it in the 3 months I've been working there. Right now we don't have any ringworm. Except for my elbow
We use trifectant (sp?) to wash the kennels which are stainless steel.
There have been very few cases of it in the 3 months I've been working there. Right now we don't have any ringworm. Except for my elbow
We use trifectant (sp?) to wash the kennels which are stainless steel.
Re: Sporonox for ringworm
The problem with using wood's lamps is the high likelihood of false positives or false negatives, then your manager is treating wildly and may be treating kittens/cats uneccessarily. There are also other skin conditions that can cause false positives on a wood's lamp exam, and thereby causing ineffective treatment, delay in treatment or wrong treatment, certainly not safe for the kittens/cats being treated!
If you think you have ringworm, you need to confirm this with your personal physician, since it is highly contagious amoung humans and of course, zoonotic/transmittable to your pets at home.
Please discuss with the shelter vet about the spraying of the athlete's foot product on yourselves and into the air. This is an aerosol and likely to cause respiratory problems for the animals in the area (and yourself as well), particularly if in an enclosed area or an area without proper ventillation. Who recommended doing this, the manager or the vet? If the manager, the vet needs to tell her the implications of this.
The best disinfection for ringworm on the premises is diluted bleach on surfaces that can be cleaned with bleach. A solution of 1 part bleach to 32 parts water is most effective.
If you think you have ringworm, you need to confirm this with your personal physician, since it is highly contagious amoung humans and of course, zoonotic/transmittable to your pets at home.
Please discuss with the shelter vet about the spraying of the athlete's foot product on yourselves and into the air. This is an aerosol and likely to cause respiratory problems for the animals in the area (and yourself as well), particularly if in an enclosed area or an area without proper ventillation. Who recommended doing this, the manager or the vet? If the manager, the vet needs to tell her the implications of this.
The best disinfection for ringworm on the premises is diluted bleach on surfaces that can be cleaned with bleach. A solution of 1 part bleach to 32 parts water is most effective.
..........Traci
Re: Sporonox for ringworm
I don't know whose idea it was but I will ask vet on Thursday. I remember asking about the spraying, asking if it was OK for us and cats to breathe and I was told it was not a problem. Their callPlease discuss with the shelter vet about the spraying of the athlete's foot product on yourselves and into the air. This is an aerosol and likely to cause respiratory problems for the animals in the area (and yourself as well), particularly if in an enclosed area or an area without proper ventillation. Who recommended doing this, the manager or the vet? If the manager, the vet needs to tell her the implications of this.
The isolation room has an exhaust fan. I will also ask about bleach vs. trifectant, at least for the ringworm kennel.Any time an aerosol is used in a confined environment, it's risky. Cats have extremely sensitive respiratory tracts, and mucous membranes (which is also the reason for the very diluted bleach or any other cleaner), and these things can be very seriously problematic for them. Aerosols can also leave residue on surfaces (including the fan!), and recirculate again. If the athlete's foot spray leaves a powdery substance or residue, this would be double trouble.
Using any spray in this manner, by simply spraying into the air, etc, is also defeating the purpose of disinfection, since most of it is wasted, drops to the ground or other low-lying surfaces.
Using any spray in this manner, by simply spraying into the air, etc, is also defeating the purpose of disinfection, since most of it is wasted, drops to the ground or other low-lying surfaces.
..........Traci
No powder in this spray, thank goodness, I think it's Tinactin? They say to spray it in the air because the ringworm spores are in the air and the spray will kill the spores. Is that right?Traci wrote:
Using any spray in this manner, by simply spraying into the air, etc, is also defeating the purpose of disinfection, since most of it is wasted, drops to the ground or other low-lying surfaces.
The spores are "airborne", but most of the spores are on contact surfaces. Just like fleas, vacuuming and proper disinfection are crucial for preventing spread of the spores. So in essence, the spray is being wasted by spraying it into the air. And, it's risky for the cats.
I don't know if tinactin will "kill" any spores. Bleach and water is the best bet for disinfection purposes on the premises, and using miconazole topical on the patients, providing they have been properly diagnosed which it sounds like they usually aren't. I do think it is bad practice to rely only on a wood's lamp and treat according to a wood's lamp potential false positive. The less medication/drugs in young kittens and ill adults, the better.
I don't know if tinactin will "kill" any spores. Bleach and water is the best bet for disinfection purposes on the premises, and using miconazole topical on the patients, providing they have been properly diagnosed which it sounds like they usually aren't. I do think it is bad practice to rely only on a wood's lamp and treat according to a wood's lamp potential false positive. The less medication/drugs in young kittens and ill adults, the better.
..........Traci