Ringworm

[missy]

Hi Missy. Just wanted to say that I am thinking of you and your babies. I hope everything comes negative soon!

Thank you @MeowMeow! I appreciate that very much.

sending love and sunshine to NJ
and also healing thoughts not just to you both and the cats but alsi the dishwasher

Thanks @Daisys and Diamonds. For all your support and good wishes. XO.

 

[missy]

How are you all doing? The cats must be thrilled to have no more itrafugal! I hope they get negative cultures back in a few weeks so you can finally breathe again.

Thanks @TooPatient. I think they are because now Bobby is coming up to the food in the AM without me having to coax him. It's a relief not to be worrying about them eating. Though Tommy has to be evaluated for his hyperthyroidism as he is losing weight too fast. So just another big worry. We are planning on driving all the way to Long Island to my sister's office this Saturday and hoping the traffic won't be horrendous. She will do bloodwork and evaluate his hyperthryoidism and we will make a plan of action. Thanks for your good wishes. It's been a very challenging 6 months since Francesca died. Very challenging.

How are you doing? How are your kitties?

 

[missy]

Tri-trich, trichomonas foetas is what usually causes unexplained, chronic loose stools in cats. It was discovered a few years back. Back then Ronidazole was the choice of treatment albeit quite toxic to cats. I only ever had to treat one kitty. Most rid themselves of it after a while but immune support such as the Vetri and perhaps probiotics help.

Yes the vet mentioned that as a possibility. I am continuing Oliver on the probiotic the vet recommended and so far so good. And of course we are continuing all the cats on your recommendation of Vetri. Thanks @Sunstorm for chiming in and hugs to you and your kitties.

 

[missy]

@missy, has your local vet or sister mentioned the possibility that Oliver might have something called Fibre Responsive Diarrhea? Having toy poodles I am very familiar with this condition. They all need to be on a high fibre food to control loose stools and diarrhea. Our youngest had giardia when we got her from the breeder. She is parasite free now but still has ongoing issues with chronic diarrhea. Our girls have recently started on a new probiotic Aventi GI, as recommended by our vet. I'll let you know how it goes. I tried the Fortiflora but the oldest kept throwing up when I gave it to her. I know it's a great product but it just didn't sit with her for some reason.

I looked at the Royal Canin website and found two feline foods which are high fibre. Sorry, this is the Canadian website. It comes up as a default for me. Hill's Veterinary Diets also make high fibre foods but I don't recommend them. They were my food of choice for years until they kept changing their food formulas. I have been using one particular food for about 15 years and they recently changed it again. It did not agree with them and looking at their website there have been other consumers who complained about the same issues I was having. Our veterinarian says they have been having better luck with Royal Canin products lately.

https://www.royalcanin.com/ca/en_ca/cats/products/vet-products/feline-fiber-canned-cat-food

https://www.royalcanin.com/us/cats/products/vet-products/feline-gastrointestinal-fiber-response-dry-cat-food

Good luck Missy, I know this entire RW issue has been wearing you down and chronic loose stool/diarrhea problems with one or more of the casts is the last thing you need.

I feel so bad about your medication issue. It's awful that insurance can deny you something you've been on for years and need for a good quality of life.

Thanks @Poodles4me you are a dear. I appreciate you sharing and all your good thoughts and hope you are doing well and that life is treating you sweetly. I will ask my sister about the high fiber diet as the local vet prescribed the high energy Royal Canin food so now I am unsure as to which is best for Oliver.

I hope the probiotic works for your girls and please keep me posted on how they are doing.

Thanks again and hope we can chat soon. XO.

 

[Daisys and Diamonds]

Thank you @MeowMeow! I appreciate that very much.



Thanks @Daisys and Diamonds. For all your support and good wishes. XO.

this is good Bobby is enjoying his meals again
Poor Tommy

so much worry and grief for one family in too short a time
im sorry i vant pop over and wait for the dryer man incase he comes when your at the dentist - I'd do some dishes for you and I'd take a load of towels home to wash and dry for you
Marta Stewart showed me how to fold towels ... mind you that was before she was a fallen

good luck with your dentist

 

[facetgirl]

@missy - just wanted to wish you and yours a really Happy Thanksgiving. You've gone through so much - all of you have- in the past few months. I'm still here with my fingers crossed for all of you and really wishing for you that you've turned an important corner.

 

[TooPatient]

Thanks @TooPatient. I think they are because now Bobby is coming up to the food in the AM without me having to coax him. It's a relief not to be worrying about them eating. Though Tommy has to be evaluated for his hyperthyroidism as he is losing weight too fast. So just another big worry. We are planning on driving all the way to Long Island to my sister's office this Saturday and hoping the traffic won't be horrendous. She will do bloodwork and evaluate his hyperthryoidism and we will make a plan of action. Thanks for your good wishes. It's been a very challenging 6 months since Francesca died. Very challenging.

How are you doing? How are your kitties?

Hope you had a nice Thanksgiving. It isn't the same without family, but hopefully you got to enjoy some of your favorite dishes just the two of you!

I'm surviving but in a lot of pain. Herniated disc in my back hasn't improved with therapy so I am not even able to care for myself. Having surgery on Wednesday that will hopefully help.

Odo is constipated again so working to get that cleared up again after his emergency vet last week for the same thing. Buddy has a follow-up on Tuesday to check blood work and see if we need to look further for infection.

Dogs.... Gah! They ate the homemade carrot cake I brought home from Thanksgiving (grandma's 80th birthday) including a piece of plastic wrap. Anxiously watching them for any sign of issue...

 

[Daisys and Diamonds]

Hope you had a nice Thanksgiving. It isn't the same without family, but hopefully you got to enjoy some of your favorite dishes just the two of you!

I'm surviving but in a lot of pain. Herniated disc in my back hasn't improved with therapy so I am not even able to care for myself. Having surgery on Wednesday that will hopefully help.

Odo is constipated again so working to get that cleared up again after his emergency vet last week for the same thing. Buddy has a follow-up on Tuesday to check blood work and see if we need to look further for infection.

Dogs.... Gah! They ate the homemade carrot cake I brought home from Thanksgiving (grandma's 80th birthday) including a piece of plastic wrap. Anxiously watching them for any sign of issue...

oh my goodness, i hope things improve drastically for you after the opp and you have a fast recovery and dramatically reduced pain

and best of luck with the gladwrap and dog poop
im sure they loved grandma's cake

 

[Daisys and Diamonds]

i hope you and Greg had a good day together with the furbabies

 

[missy]

@missy - just wanted to wish you and yours a really Happy Thanksgiving. You've gone through so much - all of you have- in the past few months. I'm still here with my fingers crossed for all of you and really wishing for you that you've turned an important corner.

Thanks @facetgirl, hope you and your loved ones enjoyed a nice Thanksgiving and that everyone is well. I appreciate your continued good wishes.

this is good Bobby is enjoying his meals again
Poor Tommy

so much worry and grief for one family in too short a time
im sorry i vant pop over and wait for the dryer man incase he comes when your at the dentist - I'd do some dishes for you and I'd take a load of towels home to wash and dry for you
Marta Stewart showed me how to fold towels ... mind you that was before she was a fallen

good luck with your dentist

Thanks @Daisys and Diamonds, tomorrow we bring Tommy to see my sister in Long Island to re evaluate his hyperthyroidism and overall health. He is losing weight still.
LOL love the pics you shared.

Hope you had a nice Thanksgiving. It isn't the same without family, but hopefully you got to enjoy some of your favorite dishes just the two of you!

I'm surviving but in a lot of pain. Herniated disc in my back hasn't improved with therapy so I am not even able to care for myself. Having surgery on Wednesday that will hopefully help.

Odo is constipated again so working to get that cleared up again after his emergency vet last week for the same thing. Buddy has a follow-up on Tuesday to check blood work and see if we need to look further for infection.

Dogs.... Gah! They ate the homemade carrot cake I brought home from Thanksgiving (grandma's 80th birthday) including a piece of plastic wrap. Anxiously watching them for any sign of issue...

Thanks @TooPatient . Oh I am very sorry you are in so much pain. Wishing you lots of luck for your surgery on Wednesday and hoping that provides you relief. Good luck to Odo and Buddy as well. We are still giving Fred Lactulose for his constipation and it is helping. He has a BM every few days and while it is not ideal it is better than not being able to move his bowels at all. At this point we will take any relief we can get for Fred. And Oy to the dogs eating the homemade carrot cake. Hoping they experience no ill side effects from it. Fingers crossed.

Little Oliver wishes everyone a happy and healthy holiday season.
LOL I cannot figure out how I did the Santa hat on Francesca years ago so for now this will have to do...

 

[cmd2014]

I haven't checked in in a while. That's such good news about the first cultures being negative!!! One down, maybe one to go?

I wonder if poor Fred would benefit from cortisone shots? They are a little less immune suppressing than systemic steroid use (at least in humans), and might give him some relief until he can resume the steroids? Since you are due to see your sister, I'm sure you will ask all of these questions and trust the answers you get from her.

Hoping you and the kitties can continue to hold on just a little bit longer! Hopefully this means that you have all turned the corner towards health and happiness.

 

[Daisys and Diamonds]

dear Tommy.
best wishes seeing Doctor Aunty xxxooo
everyone else be good

 

[missy]

I haven't checked in in a while. That's such good news about the first cultures being negative!!! One down, maybe one to go?

I wonder if poor Fred would benefit from cortisone shots? They are a little less immune suppressing than systemic steroid use (at least in humans), and might give him some relief until he can resume the steroids? Since you are due to see your sister, I'm sure you will ask all of these questions and trust the answers you get from her.

Hoping you and the kitties can continue to hold on just a little bit longer! Hopefully this means that you have all turned the corner towards health and happiness.

Thanks @cmd2014 for that suggestion and I will ask my sister about the possibility of giving him a cortisone injection for his arthritis. My guess is it will not be a good idea until we are completely confident he is RW free but I am definitely going to ask. Any relief we can safely give him would be so very welcome. Our sweet Fred. Here he is last night right 2 hours after his shampoo. We are still shampooing Fred every 3-4 days and the others every 6-7 days.



Here is Oliver from just now. He is due for a bath as are Tommy and Bobby tomorrow.



He is quite the mischievous imp. Cat that got the canary and all that jazz. He is too much. LOL. Precious but devilish too.

dear Tommy.
best wishes seeing Doctor Aunty xxxooo
everyone else be good

Thank you @Daisys and Diamonds Nicky. I appreciate that. It is going to be a very long day and drive and just hope Tommy tolerates the long trip and is none the worse for wear after today's journey. Hope all is well by you. XO.

 

[marcy]

Hi Missy, I hope Tommy didn't mind the trip to see your sister and she has some ideas for him. Keeping you, Greg and your kitties in my thoughts.

 

[Daisys and Diamonds]

thinking and worrying about everybody
hope all ok after seeing your sister aunty vet

 

[missy]

Hi Missy, I hope Tommy didn't mind the trip to see your sister and she has some ideas for him. Keeping you, Greg and your kitties in my thoughts.

thinking and worrying about everybody
hope all ok after seeing your sister aunty vet

Thanks @marcy and @Daisys and Diamonds. The trip to Long Island from the Jersey shore wasn't bad at all yesterday at 6AM. Early Saturday in the late autumn proved to have minimum traffic and it only took a little over 2 hours each way vs the over 3 hours each way it took us the four times we went in one week in June when Francesca was dying I miss her so much but I know I am off on a tangent so back to reality.

We actually ended up bringing both Oliver and Tommy as I texted my sister at 5AM writing I wish I could bring Oliver and she said so bring him so we did.

We got there early and her boss was there and he took them both back to the exam room before I had a chance to say no we are waiting for my sister. He is very nice and he cannot sit still so he likes to be busy all the time. Plus he often does examine our animals as my sister used to work only a few days a week but now she is more full time. But he knew we were there to see my sister however he couldn't resist. But I digress.

Anyway Tommy was already being examined by her boss by the time I got out of the restroom and at that point I couldn't say no. OMG. He did ask Greg and Greg said wait til my wife gets out of the restroom but he didn't wait and had the tech bring both cats back to the exam room. So her boss did physicals on both of them before my sister even got there.

When she arrived (early before our appointment but we were there super early because we are so far away we couldn't leave just enough time to get there yanno?) she was annoyed (at her boss not us). But she examined them again lol because we did drive all that way to see her. And she did bloodwork that her boss thought wasn't necessary until after Tommy had been on the thyroid meds for 2 weeks. But Tommy had been on Itrafungol for 16 weeks so my sister definitely thought it important to get blood work to make sure his organs were functioning OK. Plus getting a baseline re thyroid because last blood work was 18 weeks ago or so.

Long story and I am not making it as short as I should. The take away is we won't know much til we get the blood back tomorrow but Tommy lost a few lbs and he is now on thyroid meds starting yesterday morning.

Oliver seems OK on physical exam and no blood was taken from him.

My sister was unable to get urine from Tommy (nothing in bladder) and he was dehydrated too and we don't know why. She gave him fluids and Vitamin B and we will see how it goes with the Thyroid meds for him.



Now I just hope her boss who is always super nice to me isn't pissed at me for letting my sister re-examine them. It's a lot of politics at that office lately and I just don't want to get in the middle. Her boss is super nice to me but isn't that way with everyone and over the 3 decades I have known him he always treated me nicer than he treats most everyone and I appreciate that and value him and his expertise and yesterday's drama I didn't need nor did my sister need. Why is everything complicated at times? I am sure he is very annoyed we let my sister examine them after he did but what could I do? We came there to see my sister and he took them back before waiting to see if it was OK with me.

So now we are just waiting on Tommy's blood work and we are returning to see my sister in 3 weeks. Should be 2 weeks but she isn't working the next 2 weekends so we are waiting to see her in 3. Sooner if Tommy reacts badly to the thyroid meds. The meds are twice a day and Tommy doesn't like taking meds. And he can be wild at times so hoping we can do this with a minimum of stress. So far so good.

Yesterday however there was blood shed as the Vitamin B my sister administered with the fluids stung Tommy and he went crazy and tore up the tech. Tommy can be feral at times and impossible to control. Luckily so far with us he hasn't ever hurt us but OMG yesterday he turned into a wild tiger and really did a number on the poor tech who took it in stride despite all the bloodshed. Oy.

Little Oliver went a bit crazy too earlier when my sister's boss cut his nails. I am telling you Oliver is going to be quite a handful when he gets older and omg he is gaining fast. He is almost 8lbs already. Poor Tommy is just a bit over 8lbs and just a couple of years ago was 13 lbs.

Thanks for the support and will update as I know more.

@cmd2014 my sister said we have to wait a month after the cats get the second negative culture before we administer any steroids to Fred. It's just too risky re RW coming back otherwise. I so appreciate you chiming in and offering advice and please if anything else comes to mind don't hesitate to share. The collective wisdom of PS amazes me and I appreciate the generous sharing of info.

 

[missy]

Oh and forgot to say Fred is playing a bit again. So nice to see! We just ordered and received a few new toys as we threw everything out after RW diagnosis and he went right to it. It's a Kong toy. Hoping he continues to be engaged and play despite his arthritis. We will see. But it was so wonderful to see him play with it even for a short bit.

 

[MamaBee]

@missy What an ordeal at the vet’s office! It sounds like a power thing with the boss taking them back to examine them instead of your sister. I’m glad she went ahead and examined Tommy and Oliver again. Did your sister say anything about her feelings about the RW? So far it’s looking good, right? I so hope that’s right. How much more time until the second result will come in? Tommy should perk up after getting the fluids..Ouch to him scratching up the tech! Little Oliver (Patient Zero) is a rascal! He is so super cute..but omg..The older kitties are going to be giving him a crash course in kitty etiquette when he can hang around with them. I’m sure it will be fun to see..Tommy may be the one to show him the ropes..haha How sweet Fred looks with his new toy. He looks so much better to me @missy When you see him every day it may be hard to see it but I think he’s improving..He actually looks younger..Did you buy any more worms for Oliver? Haha!

 

[missy]

@missy What an ordeal at the vet’s office! It sounds like a power thing with the boss taking them back to examine them instead of your sister. I’m glad she went ahead and examined Tommy and Oliver again. Did your sister say anything about her feelings about the RW? So far it’s looking good, right? I so hope that’s right. How much more time until the second result will come in? Tommy should perk up after getting the fluids..Ouch to him scratching up the tech! Little Oliver (Patient Zero) is a rascal! He is so super cute..but omg..The older kitties are going to be giving him a crash course in kitty etiquette when he can hang around with them. I’m sure it will be fun to see..Tommy may be the one to show him the ropes..haha How sweet Fred looks with his new toy. He looks so much better to me @missy When you see him every day it may be hard to see it but I think he’s improving..He actually looks younger..Did you buy any more worms for Oliver? Haha!

Thanks Joanne for your encouragement and support. So my sister and her boss couldn't tell anything re RW. Only a culture will show proof if it is gone or not. And even that is not 100% hence the need for 2 to three negative cultures to say definitively it is gone. It's a huge PITA and each culture needs 4 weeks to be able to say it is negative. My sister's boss said 3 weeks is not enough (the local vet called us after 3 weeks after first culture) and that 4 weeks is the endpoint for each culture.

Funny you should mention the toys. I went ahead and bought lots more toys and Oliver is systematically tearing them apart. It's not even funny. Can you see what he did to the stuffing in this stuffed mouse we just gave him? Oy.



Tore it clear off.

So far his record is 100% tearing each toy apart. Except the ones Greg made for him but he isn't playing with those so much as he cannot tear them apart so not as much fun. LOL and Oy.

Just picked the rascal up to stop him from destroying the mattress.


He looks so sweet and innocent but believe me he is far from that.
(excuse the nightgown...slow to get started with the cleaning routine this AM but must start now and stop procrastinating but oh I so much prefer posting and reading PS and distracting myself from what we have to do now).



All I can say is I hope socialization isn't too late and that when we introduce him to his brothers they teach him some manners. I would like my pillow back and would appreciate not being woken every AM for the rest of the day at 3AM. That would be very nice. What would be nicer is getting a second negative culture so fingers and toes crossed!

 

[MamaBee]

Thanks Joanne for your encouragement and support. So my sister and her boss couldn't tell anything re RW. Only a culture will show proof if it is gone or not. And even that is not 100% hence the need for 2 to three negative cultures to say definitively it is gone. It's a huge PITA and each culture needs 4 weeks to be able to say it is negative. My sister's boss said 3 weeks is not enough (the local vet called us after 3 weeks after first culture) and that 4 weeks is the endpoint for each culture.

Funny you should mention the toys. I went ahead and bought lots more toys and Oliver is systematically tearing them apart. It's not even funny. Can you see what he did to the stuffing in this stuffed mouse we just gave him? Oy.



Tore it clear off.

So far his record is 100% tearing each toy apart. Except the ones Greg made for him but he isn't playing with those so much as he cannot tear them apart so not as much fun. LOL and Oy.

Just picked the rascal up to stop him from destroying the mattress.


He looks so sweet and innocent but believe me he is far from that.
(excuse the nightgown...slow to get started with the cleaning routine this AM but must start now and stop procrastinating but oh I so much prefer posting and reading PS and distracting myself from what we have to do now).



All I can say is I hope socialization isn't too late and that when we introduce him to his brothers they teach him some manners. I would like my pillow back and would appreciate not being woken every AM for the rest of the day at 3AM. That would be very nice. What would be nicer is getting a second negative culture so fingers and toes crossed!

Omg @missy! Maybe you can get him dog Kong toys. They may be more resistant to tearing.
When they are all healed you can put him out with his brothers and close the door! Hahahahaha!

 

[missy]

Omg @missy! Maybe you can get him dog Kong toys. They may be more resistant to tearing.
When they are all healed you can put him out with his brothers and close the door! Hahahahaha!

These are Kong toys lol!

Just to show you also how bad a RW strain it is here is the rescue person's son. He got it all over his face from one of her rescue cats that Oliver was with before we adopted him. And the RW is still going strong. It is all over his face and back. She said he is getting better but still RW is present on his face and back. This is 4 plus months after the initial cat was infected. Same strain. Never ending. You can see why I am anxious about this. Praying our cats are RW free please. And E's son is improving each day so that is good. Poor baby

 

[MamaBee]

These are Kong toys lol!

Just to show you also how bad a RW strain it is here is the rescue person's son. He got it all over his face from one of her rescue cats that Oliver was with before we adopted him. And the RW is still going strong. It is all over his face and back. She said he is getting better but still RW is present on his face and back. This is 4 plus months after the initial cat was infected. Same strain. Never ending. You can see why I am anxious about this. Praying our cats are RW free please. And E's son is improving each day so that is good. Poor baby

OMG! Poor guy! Poor everyone!

 

[missy]

OMG! Poor guy! Poor everyone!

And if you remember Elaine, the rescue person, who has been around ringworm for decades and was immune to it actually got it for the very first time. This strain is a doozy. Greg is bathing the cats right now. They hate it but we are doing everything we can to try clearing RW from them. I just hope all this work is not for naught. I just got 2 new sets of king sheets and a new comforter as all the washing and drying on high heat for 2 hours every day both wash and dry is knocking the you know what out of our sheets. Thank goodness for Costco so we can get them at affordable prices. These sheets are awesome. So soft. It rivals our Restoration Hardware expensive sheets!

Through it all Costco and PSers rock. Thank you ❤

 

[MamaBee]

And if you remember Elaine, the rescue person, who has been around ringworm for decades and was immune to it actually got it for the very first time. This strain is a doozy. Greg is bathing the cats right now. They hate it but we are doing everything we can to try clearing RW from them. I just hope all this work is not for naught. I just got 2 new sets of king sheets and a new comforter as all the washing and drying on high heat for 2 hours every day both wash and dry is knocking the you know what out of our sheets. Thank goodness for Costco so we can get them at affordable prices. These sheets are awesome. So soft. It rivals our Restoration Hardware expensive sheets!

Through it all Costco and PSers rock. Thank you ❤

Oooh! What’s the brand @missy? I would love to get new sheets for Scott and Allie’s bed here in Maryland!
I got so excited about nice sheets at Costco I hit the button before posting the rest! Lol
It is a doozy of a strain..I talked to my vet about it..and she said she hopes she never sees that strain. She did have one family that had it throughout the house but it cleared up within a month or so. This strain is BAD!

 

[missy]

Oooh! What’s the brand @missy? I would love to get new sheets for Scott and Allie’s bed here in Maryland!

Let me check. BRB!

Here you go. Arrived 2 days after I ordered them. Last night we slept with them first time. Delicious. Glad i bought 2 and they’re on sale now Joanne.

 

[MamaBee]

Let me check. BRB!

Here you go. Arrived 2 days after I ordered them. Last night we slept with them first time. Delicious. Glad i bought 2 and they’re on sale now Joanne.

I’m going to get them @missy! Thank you!

 

[cmd2014]

@missy

Fred is looking great! Wow, it's night and day compared to his earlier pictures where we were all afraid he was not going to make it! I'm so glad he seems to have perked up.

Oliver looks like he has naughtiness in his heart! (I have a soft spot for the mischievous ones!) Sounds like the older boys are going to have their work cut out for them!

Fingers crossed that ringwormgate is almost over! What a trial this has been!

 

[Weecam]

Oh and forgot to say Fred is playing a bit again. So nice to see! We just ordered and received a few new toys as we threw everything out after RW diagnosis and he went right to it. It's a Kong toy. Hoping he continues to be engaged and play despite his arthritis. We will see. But it was so wonderful to see him play with it even for a short bit.

Just checking in.
Fred looks so much better. Fingers crossed for another negative result.
Take care @missy.

 

[arkieb1]

I don't even bother buying expensive sheets any more our cats like to shred the top of them on the beds with their claws, along with the bottom sides of the bed/mattresses... Brand new couple of hundred dollar sheets, less than two days tiny holes and rip marks in them that's what ours do.... *sigh* the things we put up with for our cats

 

[distracts]

Little Oliver went a bit crazy too earlier when my sister's boss cut his nails. I am telling you Oliver is going to be quite a handful when he gets older and omg he is gaining fast.

Hugo used to go NUTS when I trimmed his nails - biting, clawing, hissing, thrashing around - it was a nightmare to deal with. I had never cut the quick on any of my pets before but I did it to Hugo regularly because he would move around so much even when I thought I had him totally restrained, and I felt terrible. But now that I've had him over a year and he's had to get his claws trimmed monthly, he lays still and just hisses and cries. I'm hoping that in another year or so, it won't even be that stressful for him. T doesn't seem to mind it at all!

I love those pictures of Fred with the toy! I'm so glad he's still finding joy in the world.