Expert: Jessica - 8/22/2009

Question
Hi Jessica,
Two weeks ago I sent my cat to live with a friend for a bit as I was in the middle of relocating, and the day I picked her up I noticed her face was missing a patch of fur but thought nothing of it until two days ago when this patch gradually got bigger and red bumps/sores started appearing in random places on her body (mostly on her face). I asked for my friend's opinion and it turns out one of her cats had ringworm over the summer and she (or the apartment) wasn't rid of it entirely, so my cat contracted it.

I am now getting the cream for it, but last night my cat scratched herself so hard she started bleeding. I've since then kept the site as clean and sanitized as possible but I don't know if I should go through with the cream now or wait until the wound completely scabs over? Also, since it's mostly on her face and none on her paws should I relax a little or am I right to be alarmed? As I know it's contagious and our apartment is carpeted.

Thank you so much for taking the time, I know it's a lot :(

Answer
Hi Kat.  As long as you got a cream containing miconazole, treat it despite her scratch!  It's non-irritating and will actually help to soothe inflammation.  Be sure to apply a thin layer of the cream 4 times a day, and you should continue the treatment for at least 3 weeks.  This rash is a huge pain to deal with, but you do want to start treating it aggressively before spores are shed everywhere.  

To stop her from scratching her face, you could pick up an e-collar from most any pet store if it's absolutely necessary.  These are the "lampshades" you see pets wearing after surgery.  She'll hate it, but right now, stopping her from inflicting more irritation on herself is a priority.  Scratches can result in bacterial infections on top of her fungal infection.  In a couple of days, the itching should be far less intense, and the e-collar should be able to come off.

Hope she's feeling better soon!

Jessica