Sonoma’s Pets Lifeline is dealing with an outbreak of a fungal infection in its cat population that has forced the shelter to close for two weeks. The shelter closed Monday.
According to a shelter release, a shelter cat tested positive for ringworm. Because the infection is highly contagious, the shelter operators opted to close down to limit exposure.
Ringworm sounds worse than it is and its name provides an icky-ness to it. It’s actually a fungus very similar to athlete’s foot. Unfortunately, the treatment of ringworm is long and involved. Among the 125-plus animals I have fostered, ringworm visited us more than a few times.
If ringworm is suspected, a peek at the site under an ultraviolet lamp is ordered. The ringworm will often glow. A skin scrape is taken and grown in a little petri-like dish. Treatment is both internal and topical. But because it’s highly contagious, it can easily transfer to people. Yep….I’ve had it and while uncomfortable, it doesn’t hurt. It’s just gross. (Technical medical description there.)
A diagnosis of ringworm can add another month onto a foster obligation. That’s why it’s difficult to find foster homes to will deal with a ringworm positive animal.
Pets Lifeline made the decision to “foster in place” if you will. Better to be safe than sorry.
Once the quarantine is over, be sure to get over there because very likely, there will be some lovely, healthy pets available for adoption.
