Ringworm oral treatment

[mrblanche]

We currently have at least four of our eight cats infected with ringworm. We could be chasing this for months, and in all honesty we don't have the time or ability. I know there has been an oral treatment for cats, but my usual vet professes ignorance of it. What was it? Is it still available?

 

[denice]

There seems to be a lot of ringworm going around.  The two that I have seen mentioned are Flucanazole and Ketoconazole.  The Flucanazole seems to be preferred because it is more easily eliminated from the body.

 

[stephenq]

Terbinifine is a commonly used and a safe oral (liquid) used for ringworm.  I recently came across an amusing quote on the subject, "Ringworm treated will usually go away in 21 days and untreated in 3 weeks."

There is also an anti flea medication called Program that was found by one study in israel to be very effective on one strain of RW, but i'm not sure there have been any other studies that could replicate it.  Its safe to use and one is supposed to double the normal dose based on weight, but its an off label use.  I'm linking you to an article that describes the original study.

http://fanciers.com/cat-facts/cat-h...d-lufenuron-program-by-carol-johnson-dvm.html

Also this catsite.com thread: http://www.thecatsite.com/t/58654/ringworm-and-program-lufeneron

 

[mrblanche]

Well, I csn already attest that ringworm does NOT disappesr on its own in 3 weeks.

 

[stephenq]

I was trying for humor.....

 

[mrblanche]

Yeah, that's the old joke about colds. The last a week if you treat them, and seven days if you don't. I got the humor. I just wish it were true.

 

[stephenq]

Ok understood.  Good luck with it!  I've had cats with it and i got it myself and we got through it fairly well, although they were all minor cases.  I also used Lotrimin anti fungal ointment topically on them and myself.

I did a google search and interestingly Lotrimin ointment has a version that is specifically marketed for RW.  They claim "clinically proven" Link below.

http://www.lotrimin.com/products/ringworm-cream.html