Photo--Ringworm ID please

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sriddles@aol.com - 02 Aug 2005 23:12 GMT

I just found another kitten in the yard. I am certain it is a
littermate to the one that turned up Sunday (the one I asked about
possibly being feral).
Anyway. There is an obvious problem with this one. It has a large
scabby sore over one eye. I've got it in the garage because I can't
risk getting ringworm spores all over the house. I'm taking it to the
vet tomorrow and I'm sure he can tell me for sure, but I can't help
wondering if this is something else. It doesn't look like ringworm I've
seen.
Yoda once got a scratch or bite, and a bacterial infection set in on
the wound site. All the hair fell out and it scabbed up, just like
this. I *really, really* hope it's something like that.
http://members.aol.com/jjrich0523/tabbykitten1.jpg
http://members.aol.com/jjrich0523/tabbykitten2.jpg

Another question, if indeed this is ringworm, it means the other kitten
is also infected with the fungus, and just not showing outward signs,
and should probably be treated also for ringworm?
I am so discouraged. It's one step forward and two steps back. I want
to track down whoever dumped these kittens and just choke the sh.t out
of them.

Sherry

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Cheryl - 02 Aug 2005 23:44 GMT

On Tue 02 Aug 2005 06:12:04p, wrote in rec.pets.cats.health+behav
(news:1123020724.822402.296930@g43g2000cwa.googlegroups.com):

> I just found another kitten in the yard. I am certain it is a
> littermate to the one that turned up Sunday (the one I asked
[quoted text clipped - 19 lines]
>
> Sherry

Have you noticed any fleas, Sherry? It doesn't look like ringworm
to me, either. Though if it's itchy enough it could. It looks a lot
like Shamrock's sores when he itches so much that he bites himself.
Obviously the kitten can't bite his own face, but maybe the damage
is done from a rear claw while scratching? Let us know what the
vet says tomorrow and bless your heart for taking in yet another.

Signature

Cheryl

"The clever cat eats cheese and breathes down rat holes with baited
breath."
- W.C. Fields

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sriddles@aol.com - 02 Aug 2005 23:56 GMT

> On Tue 02 Aug 2005 06:12:04p, wrote in rec.pets.cats.health+behav
> (news:1123020724.822402.296930@g43g2000cwa.googlegroups.com):
[quoted text clipped - 33 lines]
> --
> Cheryl

Oh, yes. It is covered in fleas, and ticks too. Especially a lot of
ticks around the face and ears. I've picked off what I could. I had an
extra tube of Frontline I put on it.

Sherry

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Snittens - 03 Aug 2005 00:17 GMT

>I just found another kitten in the yard. I am certain it is a
> littermate to the one that turned up Sunday (the one I asked about
[quoted text clipped - 19 lines]
>
> Sherry

The ringworm I've seen wasn't all scabby like that, it was just bald
patches. But, it was on the face and around the ears. You may want to have
the vet look at it under a Wood's lamp, which isn't a 100% accurate test,
but it's better than waiting three weeks for a culture to develop. I would
be inclined to give it a couple days treating as if it's a regular wound and
see how it does, but still take ringworm precautions (isolation, gloves when
handling, etc). I wouldn't worry about the littermate yet, but if he's at
the shelter, keep him isolated until you know more about the kitten you just
found.

-Kelly

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-L. - 03 Aug 2005 03:31 GMT

> I just found another kitten in the yard. I am certain it is a
> littermate to the one that turned up Sunday (the one I asked about
[quoted text clipped - 10 lines]
> http://members.aol.com/jjrich0523/tabbykitten1.jpg
> http://members.aol.com/jjrich0523/tabbykitten2.jpg

The location is typical of ringworm, and it could be scabby from
scratching. Bacterial skin infections can cause the hair to fall out
though. If it were me, I would treat the wounds for bacterial
infection and see if they cleared up, if there are no other lesions on
the cat (like in the armpits - most highly infected cats will get
lesions in the armpits.)

If you want to be proactive, you can also dose him with Program which
will repel the fleas and stop the ringworm, if it is, indeed, ringworm
- it won't hurt him. You can even spot treat him with Advantage while
he is on Program. I would lean toward Program sooner rather than
later, though, because if it is ringworm is will spread like wildfire.

> Another question, if indeed this is ringworm, it means the other kitten
> is also infected with the fungus, and just not showing outward signs,
> and should probably be treated also for ringworm?

Yes. I would check the cat over really well if you can. You can
always dose him with Program too - it is incredibly safe drug.

> I am so discouraged. It's one step forward and two steps back. I want
> to track down whoever dumped these kittens and just choke the sh.t out
> of them.

You sure get your share of dumpees. Someone must have put the word
out. My Mom was like that - a new dog or kitten every other month or
so.

-L.

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Phil P. - 03 Aug 2005 15:40 GMT

It could be because the photos don't look like 'classical' ringworm- but I
have seen ringworm that did look like that.

These photos aren't very clear- but I think you can see enough to make a
comparison.

http://www.vetmed.wisc.edu/pbs/zoonoses/Systemic%20mycoses/ringwormcat.html

http://www.winnfelinehealth.org/reports/feline-dermatophytosis.html

> Another question, if indeed this is ringworm, it means the other kitten
> is also infected with the fungus, and just not showing outward signs,
> and should probably be treated also for ringworm?

Before you bring the kittens in to be tested, bathe them to remove loose
hairs. I've had a few situations where the cats picked up infected hairs
from the environment and made negative cats culture positive even though
they weren't infected.

Few diseases are more frustrating than ringworm!

> I am so discouraged. It's one step forward and two steps back. I want
> to track down whoever dumped these kittens and just choke the sh.t out
> of them.

Leave some for me.

If the kits are infected, try Program- I've had a little luck with it in a
few cases.

Phil

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