Cat/ringworm/vet

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Kitten - 18 Feb 2005 19:54 GMT

My cat was recently diagnosed with ringworm, and it's costing me a
fortune!

After an exam with a culture and topical medication that doesn't work
(costing more than $100), I am now having to get oral medication for
yet another $150. The affected cat will take it for four weeks, while
the other unaffected cat will take it for two.

This comes in addition to another $200 for a total of $450 (all these
costs paid in just three weeks) for one cat's vaccinations and the
first trip, when there was blood in the litter box (One of the cats was
just stressed...). Also, the animal clinic is pressuring me to get
dental work done on one of the cats. (Involving more money).

So, is there a cheaper better way to deal with ringworm, or is my vet
taking me for a ride?

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kitkat - 18 Feb 2005 20:05 GMT

> Also, the animal clinic is pressuring me to get
> dental work done on one of the cats. (Involving more money).

I am not familiar with ringworm and the costs it could incur. However,
if your cat(s) have dental issues...they can cause serious health
problems that could end up costing you MUCH more later. A second opinion
is always a good idea, but the more I read, the more I realize that
dental health for a cat is CRUCIAL.

Pam

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KellyH - 18 Feb 2005 20:17 GMT

> My cat was recently diagnosed with ringworm, and it's costing me a
> fortune!
[quoted text clipped - 12 lines]
> So, is there a cheaper better way to deal with ringworm, or is my vet
> taking me for a ride?

Sorry your kitty has ringworm. I'm guessing from the cost of the medicine,
it's the same one we've been using to treat the RW kittens at the shelter.
I can't remember the name of the med, I think it starts with a "G". They
were all sent to foster care, and the foster is also taking care of some RW
kittens from another shelter. Those kittens are using a less expensive
medicine. Our kittens are doing well, and two of them have finished
treatment and do not appear to have any ringworm, we are just waiting for
the culture results.

Bottom line, I would stick to the more expensive medicine. It seems to get
the job done.

Signature

-Kelly
kelly at farringtons dot net
"Wake up, and smell the cat food" -TMBG

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-L. - 18 Feb 2005 20:23 GMT

> My cat was recently diagnosed with ringworm, and it's costing me a
> fortune!

Program. Google it and "ringworm" in here and you will find the
dosages.

-L.

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Meghan Noecker - 19 Feb 2005 10:22 GMT

>So, is there a cheaper better way to deal with ringworm, or is my vet
>taking me for a ride?

Can't speak to the costs, but having been through this many years ago
when I was a kid, I can tell you that it is transferable between cats
and humans, so watch out for yourself. You may need to be on meds too.

In my case, a kid in my campfire group had it and came to the meeting
anyway, giving it to all the kids. The meetings were at my house, so
we got it the worst. We had dogs and cats, including a litter of
kittens and two foster feral kittens at the time. So, we all had it.
Creams and pills for everybody. I couldn't swallow the pills, so my
dad had to grind up my pills and put it ice cream to get it down.

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--
Meghan & the Zoo Crew
Equine and Pet Photography
http://www.zoocrewphoto.com

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BarB - 20 Feb 2005 04:04 GMT

>My cat was recently diagnosed with ringworm, and it's costing me a
>fortune!
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
>yet another $150. The affected cat will take it for four weeks, while
>the other unaffected cat will take it for two.

I treat ringworm first with Program and topical ( Lomotrin Ultra
liquid) and bathing with medicated shampoo. Then I may switch to
other oral drugs on resistant cases or if I want to get a kitten
adopted before it gets too old to be cute. We never culture. I have
never had a vet suggest it. If it looks like ringworm we treat it as
if it is. The oral medication for humans is expensive but a kitten
doesn't need much. I have used Itraconazole and Terbinafine (Lamisil)
with good results. Griseofulvin is the most common oral drug used by
vets for ringworm, but many think it is too dangerous to use on a
kitten.

BarB

http://www.pandecats.com/x/ringworm_battle_plan.htm
http://www.pandecats.com/x/limesulphur_shampoo.htm

>This comes in addition to another $200 for a total of $450 (all these
>costs paid in just three weeks) for one cat's vaccinations and the
>first trip, when there was blood in the litter box (One of the cats was
>just stressed...). Also, the animal clinic is pressuring me to get
>dental work done on one of the cats. (Involving more money).

Dental work is something you may not want to put off. The ringworm in
most cases will cure itself.

>So, is there a cheaper better way to deal with ringworm, or is my vet
>taking me for a ride?

I think he is being over cautious for a non-threatening disease.

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