Ragdoll Cat Forums

We have just noticed today that Felix's nose was a bit rough on the end. When we looked closer it appears as if he has grazed it and some of the fur has come off. No bleeding or weeping around the patches. It wasn't until he escaped out the front door again that we worked out how he is doing it. He ran a few feet and then rubbed his nose on the pavers and then followed through with his body, as if he was smooching or rubbing up against the ground. We have seen him roll around on the ground outside but never going nose-first into the pavers. He doesn't seem to be in pain when we touch it and he isn't acting any different or paying any more attention to it than normal. Any ideas why he is doing this or if we need to bathe it or get some lotion for it to help it heal?

It's the slightly off colour patches


Cuddling into his sister

I am not sure why he did that, Kathryn....maybe to mark his territory...even speautered cats do this, like how they rub up against us, out of love, so I hear...or maybe he was just elated to be outside...tisk tisk Felix! hehe, Poor darling Felix. I would bathe it in some water..or cold tea...no harm too. If he seems happy enough, then it should heal on it's own...if not, vet to be sure

That's kind of weird. Simon used to scratch his nose (allergies) until he scratched off the skin and it looked like that. He did it so much that his nose eventually became scarred. Hopefully Felix won't be doing that again!

Sorry Kathryn I have no idea why he is doing that. I'd just like to comment on the sweet pics.

Well we both thought that Felix's "graze" was getting larger so we took him to the vet yesterday. Turns out that the vet is 99% sure that he has ringworm. The vet plucked some loose hairs from his nose area and is growing the bacteria or fungi to comfirm his suspicions. He used a black or fluorescent light that showed the area on his nose to glow, which is also a sign that it is ringworm. But he must have been relatively sure to have given us some tablets for him (Nizoral, 1/4 tablet once a day for a month) and a medicated shampoo that we have to use on all three of them twice a week!

We were shocked that he had this. After all they are strictly indoor only and we don't visit people with other pets to carry it home. The vet thinks that Barney may have been a carrier not showing any symptoms when he arrived a month ago, yet it seems strange that he is not showing any symptoms. We also think there is a possibility that Felix caught it when he and Ava were at the vet to be desexed about a month ago. I'm sure the vet would never admit it and it would be hard to prove but it seems odd that Barney would have brought it in considering the breeder has quite a good reputation in Perth and is a judge in many of the cat shows here. We took Ava and Barney in to the vet nurse after Felix was seen by the vet, to check them over with the light for any glowing patched or signs of ringworm. Thankfully they showed no signs but they may still develop it and still have to be washed with the medicated shampoo.

So today was bath 1 out of 8 for the next month. I guess it was lucky that we gave them a bath a few weeks ago to see how they reacted. The only bad thing is that once they are wet and the shampoo is on, they have to sit around for 10 minutes to let it do its job. Not so easy. They all cried and fought. I was exhausted by the end of it all. They all had the customary big wash afterwards and have spent the rest of the afternoon napping to recover. But they still love us and were purring soon after their baths. Here are some pictures from today's bath.

Also I would appreicate any tips on giving tablets. We are trying to crush them into his food but it is so risky if he doesn't eat it all. We got a long pill dispenser from the vet and there are two of us to do it, but I am just unsure how to go about it without hurting him. It's only a little tablet, about a 1/4 of a mini- M&M.

Barney through the glass having his bath


Barney during the 10 minutes. He was only happy with me holding him up off the wet bath mat on the floor of the tub.


Barney


Barney - looking very skinny and wet


Barney and Ava watching Felix in the bath tub...quite unaware that they were next...


Ava checking to see what the fuss was about with Felix


Ava and Barney fighting it out to see who was next!


Ava lost


Felix looking for freedom; could almost be an un-tender moment..


Felix

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Barney and Felix "recovering" after their baths

I am so sorry you're having to go through all of this. I've heard it can be tough to get rid of and all in the house have to be treated. Thankfully it hasn't spread yet to Ava or Barney, so hopefully you have it contained now. Did the vet mention cleaning all of their bedding too?

Those are such funny pics with captions. I'm sure it wasn't funny for you at the time, but that one shot of Felix looking out with the flash eyes so big was hilarious. It's great how quick they forgive you after something like that isn't it?

Poor kitties. I really don't envy you the job of getting rid of the spores. I caught ringworm once from my horse, I had a neat ring in the centre of my forehead lol.
Hope you get it all cleared up soon.

Awww the poor kitties!!! That's the worst, having to give baths, and knowing you have to do 7 more.... I don't envy you!! Looks like they handled it okay. At least they are still kittens and not huge adult cats, adults seem to fight more! Loved the pics, thanks for sharing!

(02-14-2010 09:10 AM)TeresaK Wrote: [ -> ]I am so sorry you're having to go through all of this. I've heard it can be tough to get rid of and all in the house have to be treated. Thankfully it hasn't spread yet to Ava or Barney, so hopefully you have it contained now. Did the vet mention cleaning all of their bedding too?

The vet didn't mention bedding but I just assummed we would have to. Unfortunately Felix (aka Mr Infected) has been sleeping on my pillow resting his head around my head or forehead, so I am really worried I might catch it on my face! Arghh! I could deal with it on my arms or elsewhere but how do you hide it on your face. Dustysmum's experience is certainly my worst fear! Poor Felix, I am being really careful to avoid touching his nose but I feel like I am being mean and not giving him all of the cuddles he normally gets. I just hope it the ringworm stops climbing up his nose.

Oh no! I do hope you don't get it at all, but if so, that it's not on your face.