How is ringworm transmitted from one cat to another?
Friday, February 19th, 2010 at
7:00 am
We brought in two kittens to foster for a few weeks and we already have 4 healthy cats of our own. The lady at the cat charity came by today and informed me that the Kittens we are fostering might have ringworm..so we have isolated them now however they had a little bit of contact with our healthy cats.
How exactly is it transmitted and will our cats get ringworm???
Please give me the most consice answers possible…
Many Thanks,
xo
Filed under: Pet Insurance
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Here is the concise part of my answer:
It is spread through fur-to-fur or fur-to-skin contact. It also spreads through contact with contaminated objects (clothing, carpeting, flooring, toys, grooming tools, bowls, etc). The spores can also travel via your duct system. If you have the air conditioning on, cover the ducts in the room where you have isolated the kittens.
If you aren’t aggressive, you and your other cats may get ringworm.
Here’s the LONG answer:
I am fostering a mom and 5 babies, all of whom have ringworm. The babies are ALMOST clear of the ringworm after 6 weeks of treatment. I have 4 cats of my own; none of them have caught it.
I have been extremely vigilant in trying to contain the ringworm and so far, so good.
Here’s what we did…
We did Lime Sulfur dips, once a week at 8oz per gallon (the bottle says 4-8oz…but 8oz is best). We used a rose sprayer to apply the solution to the cats, this was MUCH easier than dipping them, we didn’t use as much solution, and it didn’t get cold as fast (plus we could refill halfway through without using the entire bottle of lime sulfur for one bath!). I used soft e-collars to keep the kittens from licking themselves off. We did all the bodies first. Then sat and used a rag to apply lime sulfur solution to their faces. I read contrary things regarding the shampooing. One bottle said not to wet them before dipping and the other one said to do it. After tons of research, we decided NOT to wet them prior to dipping. We have dipped them 4 times and I think we’re done.
I also applied lotrimin to their "spots" every day. I’ve read some things that say that it is not completely effective, but nothing I read said that it would hurt them.
I am also using Vibax Laundry additive on my laundry (1T per load in a downy ball) and in my carpet steam cleaner (once a month). I also spritz it on the carpet once a week. It’s supposed to kill the fungus AND provide residual protection until you wash it again (clothes or carpeting).
I also use A33-Dry to wipe down my walls, ceiling fan, baseboards, and any hard toys they don’t chew on. A33-Dry kills ringworm and also provides residual protection against it. (They use it in hospitals to clean up after HIV contaminated spills…its strong stuff).
Any toy that they chew on, I bleach…even the soft toys. 1 part in 10 is supposed to be strong enough to kill the fungus. I used 1 part in 3…and wore gloves.
I changed my clothes every time I exited the "ringworm" room. I washed my hands every time after I handled the kittens. I wore booties to cover my socks when I was in the room (sold with painting supplies at the hardware store).
When the kittens reached 8 weeks of age, we started them on griseofulvin. I divide their daily dosage into 2 and give it to them along with a meal of wet food with extra fat (butter or corn oil). Fat is necessary for the griseofulvin to be properly absorbed.
Our ringworm fluoresces under blacklight, so that’s how I’ve been keeping track of their progress. We are ALMOST in the clear. Only a little apple green fur left.
Ringworm is transmitted through direct contact and also through spores in the enrvironment or from using the same grooming tools. You should keep a close eye on your cats although healthy cats often show no symptons, it is more prominent in kittens andd cats with low immune systems. Make sure to wear gloves when handling the infected kittens and wash hands extremely well as ringworm can also be transmitted to humans. This site has everything you need to know: http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?cls=1&cat=2023&articleid=223
Typically direct contact, but if they have touched common objects (like a couch, pillows, toys even) it can be transmitted as well. Watch out, humans can get it as well. Antifungal works well.
According to Wikipedia "Ringworm … may be spread by skin-to-skin contact, as well as via contact with contaminated items."
Ringworm is a fungus that is very active and easily transferred from one cat to another. If your healthy cats don’t already have an infection you are lucky, but you must assume they do–keep an eye on them for unusual rashes and breakouts of the disease.
It is also easily transmitted to humans!
The kitties need to see a vet and you need to get treatment for them ASAP.
Keep an eye on your arms and legs for signs of round shaped rashes. It is not serious but can be itchy :-0
Get them to the vet!!
Well if they use the same kitty litter box that’s how your other cats can get it.
kittens get it from their mom so if they are related, then its probably from the mom… if not then i have no idea but you should call a vet or animal hospital
Ringworm is highly contagious. Humans CAN get ringworms from cats so it is very important that when you have direct contact with the infected cats, please use precautionary measures such as wearing a glove.
Transmission occurs by direct contact between infected and non-infected individuals. It may be passed from dogs to cats and vice versa. It may also be passed from dogs or cats to people and vice versa. If a child has ringworm, he or she may have acquired it from a pet or from another child at school. Adult humans are relatively resistant to infection unless there is a break in the skin or there is suppression of the immune system (AIDS, chemotherapy, etc). Children are quite susceptible. Consult with your family physician if any family member develops suspicious skin lesions.
Transmission may also occur from the infected environment. The fungal spores may live in bedding or carpet for several months. They may be killed with a dilution of chlorine bleach and water (1 cup of chlorine bleach in a gallon of water) where it is feasible to use it.