by Pumpkin
Feline Health Editor

Ringworm

The subject of this column is Ringworm. It's a common infection that is found in all ages, but is more common in children. It can occur in infant nurseries, daycare centers and schools. Also you can catch it when you come in contact with contaminated surfaces such as combs, unwashed clothes, even animals can carry Ringworm and give it to your human, or your human can give it to you.

These animals are cats (especially kittens), dogs (especially puppies), horses, ferrets, rabbits, guinea pigs (there is one at meowmie's new work), cows and pigs.

Meowmie caught her ringworm at work from one of the children. Meowmie has one little spot left on her arm that is slowly fading away. When meowmie found out her spot was ringworm she was afraid that someone would come and take the Crew away from her. Also she was scared that she could give it to us.

Our vet makes house calls, one evening the Vet and a nice vet tech came right to our house. The vet brushed our fur with a toothbrush and put the fur in little bottles which she sent to the lab. This is a test for ringworm that took 14 days. Not to worry! The Crew lab results were negative, we never had any signs of Ringworm which could be as simple as a patch of missing hair.

Casey was furry relaxed and wanted the vet to pet him. When its time for his exam in December the vet is coming over here! Meowmie did this as a precaution and she does worry a lot about us! Ringworm is not a worm but a fungal infection that appears as a circular rash with sharply defined edges . The edges are dark with more normal color skin in the center. There are many types of ringworm; scalp, arms, legs, groin or face. There is also jock itch and athletes foot. The incubation period is 10 to 14 days.

To prevent ringworm avoid close contact with people or animals who have it, keep skin and feet clean, shampoo regularly, wear sandals or shoes at the gym or pool and no sharing clothes, towels, brushes or combs.

Also try not to sweat to much. Meowmie sweats a lot in the morning while working in the kitchen at work, she now keeps the doors open.

Treatments:
Sometimes Ringworm gets better on its own, sometimes the use of simple measures will help by keeping the skin clean and dry, wash sheets and bed clothes daily, you can even use over the counter anti fungal medicines or prescription medicine.

Meowmie has some prescription cream. Then she discovered the internet! Beware of the internet medicines. Meowmie brought some cream and a gel that was supposed to cure ringworm in 24 hours (not), the next medicine came from a different country (the instructions has 2 different languages) that worked for a while.

Meowmie also tried Lamisil ( recommend by Jessie's mom) and that worked for a while. There are Natural cures also; there is Vitamin E and apple cider vinegar (meowmie tries these when she is home), Tea Tree Oil is also a natural treatment and it works. Meowmie has some Victim E on right now and you can barely see the ringworm.

Use the apple cider vinegar at night before you go to bed. Meowmie uses it while watching TV in the afternoon after work.

If you have any suggestions on treatment for Ringworm, feel free to mew or bark to me about it.

Love and be safe, purrs Pumpkin.

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