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Foster Cat Journal: Creeping Crud

Blitzen Noir.jpg
At almost four months of age, Blitzen is looking like a proper kitty now.

After a long, miserable night, spent mostly with food poisoning and an empty bed, I managed to get up another day and begin the usual rounds of caring for the cats. Tomorrow Blitzen is slated to be neutered. I called the Vet to double check that it was still all right to bring him, bearing in mind he has something on his head that is...I'm not supposed to make a diagnosis to this Vet, but...it's RINGWORM, OK?

BLitzen Ringworm.jpg

It's hard to hold a wiggly kitten still long enough to look and my close-up vision ain't what it used to be. It wasn't until I looked at the photos that I could see just how bad things were looking.

INset ringworm.jpg

You tell me that's not ringworm!

There's the telltale crust. It's gotta be ringworm. I've been treating it topically, but I wonder if I should do more? I guess I can wait until the Vet sees him tomorrow. Of the 4 kittens, he was the sickest, the longest, so it's not a complete surprise, BUT..now what? What about his siblings? He's going to have to be with me another few weeks. There is no where to quarantine him too. Everyone has been exposed. I'm in full “fuck-it” mode about this ringworm nightmare.

Little Orange Tiger.jpg

Sick or not, I've really fallen for this little guy. I'm not sure I can part with him. Maybe I'm willing him to stay here and he's responding by getting sick again? Sure. I have super powers. Why can't I have the super power that wins me a huge lottery payout?

I'd settle for super powers that make Blitzen be the last cat (or PERSON) I EVER see with RINGWORM!

Comments

If you switch to an anti-dandruff shampoo with pyrithione zinc or ketoconazole, you should be able to prevent getting it in your hair. Dandruff is caused by fungus too, so those shampoos use anti-fungal chemicals that will also work against ringworm. If you get an active rash, getting a prescription strength medicine would probably be best, but you might be able to ward it off with shampoo. Head and Shoulders and most generics have pyrithione zinc in them.

That's great. I'm guessing I will have a bald ringworm patch on my head any time now. I'll get some Head & Shoulders!!! How do you know this, Dan? Are you a DR?

I'm not a doctor. I knew that both ringworm and dandruff were both caused by fungus. I checked online and these fairly common anti-fungal drugs can be used to help cure/prevent ringworm. Besides, at worst, you'll just be using head and shoulders, which isn't exactly self-medicating.

Gosh, Blitzen is just gorgeous!

that punim? I'd have a hard time letting him go, too.

As for your empty bed, well, I hope it's not empty for too long.

Thinking of you dear.

Good luck! With the neuter, with the ringworm and with the lottery wishes (or bag of money left on the porch??). Fostering alone makes you a special person, let alone fostering through so many trials.

You're in my thoughts.

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