Ring worms and diarrhea

[Rose Montgomery]

Kittens were treated at breeder facility from July 29th till they came home to me on Oct 7th. They still came to me with ringworms....I do not know why. Their fragile little systems have been through so much now, and they must endure so much more. I am at loss....I apologize for posting two threads...if I knew how to delete one I will. I want to follow the rules to stay here....I guess I need to read the rules again. I do not see where I can delete a thread. I will try. I am sorry for the confusion.

 

[Brigitte Cowell]

OK, so Hexachlor-K shampoo is similar to Malaseb as it is also an antifungal shampoo, make sure that when the vet is using it, they are indeed leaving the lather on for the 5-10 minutes. Poor babies, when I've had to do that I've used space heaters to make the bathroom really warm for them as it is miserable having to sit there wet like that :-( The good news I had was after the bath, we'd all sit together with towels and cuddle, it turned out a bonding experience. So maybe you should be trying to do this at home, do you have anyone that might be able to help you with this task? Kittens are squirmy so two people is usually better than one!

I understand the vet wanting to be cautious and wait on the culture, but also think that the sooner you start them on the antifungals, the sooner you have a chance of clearing this.

I agree that the 2 negative cultures should be a little further apart to be considered as two negative cultures that are a reliable result. But ringworm can be tricky. And I suspect that if the kittens are also having diarrhea issues then their immune system is compromised hence making this all harder to beat.

Do you think you can find out what the pink and the white medications are? It's really hard to know what to suggest if we don't know what the kittens have already been treated with. And when they did the "fecal" was it a fecal float or did you send off a sample for a PCR Gastrointestinal Pathogens panel? After all this time with diarrhea I think it best to do the PCR panel (it's an IDEXX test, your vet might have to look it up as many are not aware of this yet).

And I asked before, what is the "GI diet" they are on? Which Probiotics have they been given?

 

[Rose Montgomery]

That is good to hear, but I will have to comment on what you said about the breeder. I have no idea who your breeder is, but it is my experience with the ones that I do know...it makes no difference if they happen to be spayed or neutered. The welfare of my babies whether breeders or not...is very important . I have never been contacted about taking a kitten back, but would gladly ...if ever contacted. I am responsible for them being born and willl remain responsible for them forever;>) Life is hardly ever perfect...only in our dreams. Just love the little souls, stop stressing...give the medications and diet time to work...unless the vet finds something drastically wrong. The ringworm and loose stools hopefully will be just a memory in a few weeks. Take a deep breath...give them a hug and tell them everything is going to be okay;>) LOL
www.dreamweavercatz.com

I TU for Your support. My breeder and I R on good terms. Things happen unexpectably, so we deal with what we have. I love them so much, but was trying to reach out to see if anyone had any suggetions. It is all confusing to me, and given the circumstances I just want my babies better, out of that room to enjoy life. I just needed some input as everyone says something different, and I want my path for my little ones to be the right one. Yes, I am discouraged, but not for me, but them. I do know they love everyday when I clean their room my husband takes them outside in the carrier so they can feel the breeze, see the sunshine, watch the squirrels and little lizards running around, and it gives them peace and fresh air. We play so much as they R quite energetic wacky little ones. I just want them some day to be well...TU....

 

[Rose Montgomery]

The pink medicine was a vet prescribed like a general diarrhea thing like they sell OTC for people something like a Kaopectate, but my vet said he must prescribe it as now there is something in people medicine OTC that can kill cats something they have added. I don't know if that makes sense or not. Vet pescribed without the people additive. Sorry so confusing. The GI diet is for two weeks vet prescribed is Hills Prescription ID Feline Gastrointestinal Health for two weeks, then to start adding a new food (whatever I don't know that will be) slowly into the diet over two weeks. Yes, they have had too many food changes. What the breeder had fed them I found it did not work as all they wanted to eat was chicken which has not enough nutrients, and the diarrhea problem remained. The yellow medicine Dakari was on prior that he threw up is Albon, and it did not work. The white medicine they both were for three days was Panacur. Now on Metronidazole 0.25 twice a day. Was on FortiFlora probiotics 1/2 sachal a day given 4, so total of 8 doses, last to be given tomorrow. The vet feels probiotics won't help anymore. Baths since Oct R twice a week Hexachlor-K Shampoo....We have reached 4 wks. as of this prior Wed. Also initially Dakari got ear medicine for his glowing Woods Lamp ears we put on initially Oct 10th which was Tresaderm Clotrimazole 50:50. Prior to my getting them on July 29th the breeder noticed ring worm before they were to come home. Ajana had it first on her hind leg, then eventually Dakari got it in the ears, so I believe from that date to they came home they were treated every Sat. with a lime bath and a topical Miconazale (I really don't know the right name for it, but it is in drug store OTC). They initially per breeder had a positive culture of the Microsprum commom ring worm whatever that is, and then she had 2 negative cutlures 2-3 weeks apart, but as we see was not corrected through no ones fault. We awaiting 2nd fecal and awaiting the 5 week culture to see what Ajana's positive means. Prior stated Dakari just shows excessive bacteria and blood, but both negative on fecal all else. Blood work is good no underlying. Shots to date except HIV/feline leukemia, but they don't have and neither did parents. I await as I do not want to further stress their system. Don't know if this helps, but shots to date = rabies, Rhinotracheitis, Calicivirus, Panleukopenia, Chlamydia...also spayed/neutered/ microchipped. Not yet vaccined for Feline Leukemia although blood work good, FIP whatever that is, or Bordetella whatever that is.....their little systems need a rst. Sorry so long. Input will help....just don't know what the right course is at this point. On a path, but is it a good path?

 

[shelby]

I am going to say the best course of action for now is to trust your vet for now. Once all the tests are done and you know exactly what is going on...I am pretty sure you will get some really good suggestions on diet. Just let those tummies settle down.
www.dreamweavercatz.com

 

[Patti]

I will add my 2¢ here - ringworm is a nasty nuisance and can often take months, or even years to eradicate. I agree with all that has been suggested here and on the other thread. I have also heard of using Health Guard in a humidifier to 'fog' entire rooms. I believe that a steam cleaner (boiled water) will also kill ringworm. The most important thing is to clean, clean, clean. Spores can live for several months.

As for the diarrhea, I would strongly suggest a diarrhea PCR to try to pinpoint (or rule out) an infection so that you can treat it effectively. The GI diet is probably good, adding fiber such as psyllium can also help solidify stool, as can a bland diet of boiled chicken and rice. It sounds like you are doing everything you can for these sweet little souls so I would just encourage you to remain patient - they will improve eventually.

 

[Trish Allearz]

Okay, so the pink med would be... shoot... I know it... Kaopectin, I believe? That doesn't treat anything at all.

The PCR test is probably your best bet for the stool issue.

 

[admin]

Kittens were treated at breeder facility from July 29th till they came home to me on Oct 7th. They still came to me with ringworms....I do not know why. Their fragile little systems have been through so much now, and they must endure so much more. I am at loss....I apologize for posting two threads...if I knew how to delete one I will. I want to follow the rules to stay here....I guess I need to read the rules again. I do not see where I can delete a thread. I will try. I am sorry for the confusion.

Don't worry about the double posts - it's ok...

 

[Rose Montgomery]

I hope this goes to the right place in reference to reply. I hit the reply, & post reply button, so I hope it does not add a new thread. As of today Dakari still has diarrhea. Ajana and her brother both went for their biweekly fungal baths today. It is now I think 7 weeks. On week 10 we will get the next culture result for ringworms. As I stated the Doc only has them on Hexachlor-k antifungul baths twice a week. No oral. No lime baths. She is adament. My concern is the diarrhea. We have changed these poor little ones diets since Oct. 7th it is pathetic. 3 fecals as stated negative. First had excessive bacteria, but with probiotics the other two normal. I do believe a panel is in order. Doc wants to wait. Came home Oct. 7th on royal canin hard, Innova soft, with chicken breasts cooked in microwave 10 sec's, then change to rice and chicken only, then raw chicken diet from health store that is suppose to be full supplement to GI diet for two weeks. Well Gi diet over two weeks and slowly adding in duck and potatoe for possible food allergies. Have been on 4 different meds...Off meds...I just need something as per diet that will work without changing it ever again. Their poor little bellies from the vet R probably so stressed with so much change. I have one more week to get them off the GI diet if a week longer to try to get a food that will work. Now on GI science ID, slowly adding DD alergenic over two week period. Too much change is not good. They have had diarrhea since I got them, and each change has been over a gradual period to see if anything will work. I am at witts end here. Like I said gradually changing to DD with GI. My poor kittens R a mess. I wonder if the vet is giving me good or bad....Also tried raw chicken diet that we seared trying to replace the chicken the vet said they can not have. I think that was like week 3 or 4. I know the changes R killing them....HELP......Right now we R gradually going off ID, adding with DD...If I could just get the right change maybey????My little ones need help.....TU.

 

[admin]

Rose, this is where you need to tell the vet that you want a PCR panel done ASAP...just tell the vet you do not want to wait...or change vets...get a second opinion...your kittens' lives may depend on it.

And I would stop the baths...they probably aren't doing any good anymore anyway. The advice for ringworm is clean, use Healthguard fogger, etc...two baths a week is only costing you money and probably stressing the poor babies out so much...I would stop those baths Now...and go to another vet.