![]() Keep her warm!Īnti-fungal shampoos that are obtained online or by a veterinarian can be less caustic and equally effective. Do not leave the kitten in a cool area where her body temperature will drop. Once the kitten is fully covered, place her immediately into her heated bed so she can stay warm as she dries. Leave the kitten saturated in the dip, which will dry over time. When using lime sulfur dip, do not rinse the kitten. You’ll want to use your bathtub or sink for this, and be sure to wear gloves! Never spray a kitten’s head use a sponge to gently apply the dip to the ears and face, avoiding the eyes, nose, and mouth at all times. Manually work the liquid into the kitten’s fur, as if lathering your hair while shampooing. Spray the body, limbs, tail, and paws, getting in between the toe pads. I recommend pouring the lime sulfur dip into a spray bottle or a garden sprayer, which will make it easier to apply. ![]() Lime sulfur dip is a pungent yellow liquid that acts as a powerful antifungal agent, and it is soaked into the fur and left to dry on the kitten's skin. Ensure that she has fresh toys, bedding, and a comfortable heat pad. Whichever method you choose, be advised that after your dip or bath, the kitten should return to fresh bedding and a sanitized playpen so that she is not reinfected with fungal spores. While lime sulfur dip is traditionally thought of as the go-to treatment for ringworm, it can also be very drying and caustic on the skin, and Kitten Lady recommends considering a medicated Ketohex bath instead, which is equally effective. Twice a week, your kitten will need either a medicated lime sulfur dip or a medicated bath with an anti-fungal shampoo. My recommendation is to use a product like Rescue disinfectant. Completely disinfect the kittens’ area and all supplies using an approved disinfectant. ![]() You’ll still want to give the kittens toys and enrichment of course, but try using plush toys that can be washed, or DIY toys that can be tossed after (check out this video for easy DIY toy ideas!) Be very careful not to let the exposed items touch anything else in your home. Several times a week, change the kitten’s bedding and toys, and sanitize soiled items in a washing machine with hot water and bleach. Make sure to only put things that can be washed or disinfected in their space, or use things that are single use and can be easily thrown away afterwards. ![]() Put your kittens in a contained space like a plastic playpen that can be sanitized daily. Wear protective clothing such as a smock or a large shirt and booties/socksĪvoid bringing any unnecessary items with you, like cell phones Whenever coming into contact with the kittens or their space, you will want to: When you have ringworm kittens, you’ll want to protect your environment, your supplies, and yourself to ensure that the fungal spores are not spreading. You can also talk to your veterinarian about a ringworm PCR test, which is a highly effective diagnostic test that can determine if your kitten has ringworm. Being proactive will speed up the process for you and the kitten. Check out this video of a shelter using DTM diagnostic trays in their ringworm unit! These tests can take up to two weeks to process-so it is best to start treatment right away if ringworm is suspected. DTM tests are typically done at a veterinarian’s office, but can also be purchased online for the experienced rescuer. The DTM kit needs to stay in a warm, dark area where it will stay undisturbed. The sample is then tapped into the DTM tray which can rapidly sporulate the fungus, if present. With these tests, the suspected lesions are brushed with a clean toothbrush, picking up samples of the fur and skin. If you’re able to save some kittens from the fungal jungle, you should consider signing up to foster ringworm kittens at your local shelter! By dedicating a few weeks of your time to helping kittens through the healing process, you’ll be saving their lives.Ī more effective diagnostic method is a fungal culture called a Dermatophyte Test Medium or DTM. Because ringworm is quite contagious in a high-volume setting, kittens with ringworm are at risk of euthanasia without a foster home that is willing to take them home. While ringworm is not lethal in and of itself, it can be a death sentence for kittens in some shelters. Ringworm is zoonotic, meaning it is contagious to humans, but fear not: with the proper care and sanitization, it can be easily contained to ensure that you and the other animals that share your home stay fungus-free! Fortunately, it is totally treatable and kittens can make a full recovery with care. This funky fungus preys on the young and immunocompromised, putting kittens at a high risk of infection when exposed. Ringworm, despite its misleading name, is actually not a worm at all-it is a fungal infection of the skin and hair. Helping Kittens with ringworm How to help kittens escape the fungal jungle ![]()
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