Ringworm contamination outdoors. Some questions?

acequion

I'm posting here in the hope that farming folk might be able to give me some information, and though my query is not farm related as such, I hope that people won't mind my coming here to ask.

My problem is that I have an elderly immuno compromised cat who has twice this year caught ringworm from stray cats in the neighbourhood. I live on a suburban street close to town but there are a number of stray cats who prowl around due to being fed by a nearby neighbour. While I've been well informed by my vet and online about the contagion of indoor surfaces and what to do, I'm a lot less informed about outdoor contagion. We have all heard of kids getting ringworm from farm gates and such, so how long do outdoor surfaces remain contagious? Do the elements impact? Are the spores killed by rain,frost, sun, storms? I've heard something about the sun, but is the Irish sun strong enough to kill this fungus? And are all surfaces equally contagious? Patios, driveways, grass, shrubbery? I would be hoping to try containing my cat in my own garden once cured, but would be nervous of reinfection, especially with carrier cats prowling around.

I would really appeciate any information, thanks so much in advance.

RockOrBog

Hang up some holly wherever the cat sleeps, I generally don't believe in old wives tales but I have seen it work in cattle sheds.

The sun definitely helps to kill it in summertime, timber is very bad for harbouring ringworm especially inside. You can get an injection to cure cattle of it but I'm not sure about cats.

The better your cats immune system is, the less it will get It

anthony500_1

Ill second the holly hanging over the animal. It Def works on cattle in sheds so I can't see why it won't work with a cat

wrangler

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058374372/ringworm-contamination-outdoors-some-questions

Try to improve the cats immunity, good quality minerals and vitamins, It might be worth putting the cat on that expensive food that vets sell, you'd get advice with it as well, She shouldn't be getting ringworm repeatedly.

She could have a health problem.

I second the holly, I often hung it where cattle are intensively housed, don't know how it'd work outdoors.

acequion

Thanks so much for the replies, appreciate them. I will get some holly, hopefully sold in garden centres.

The cat has had recent bloods done and is otherwise very healthy, however has needed low steroid doses since a kitten for inflammatory bowl, so it may have depressed her immune system. She has been on the best of prescription foods for years, Royal Canin, so diet not an issue either. She's basically a fit and healthy cat except for this new problem, though older now at almost 13.

But what I'd really like to know, please, is if outside surfaces are as contagious as indoor, if the weather kills spores more quickly than indoors where they can live for up to two years. I really do hope to let her back out again after several weeks.

Thanks again.

148multi

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Ask your vet if they can administer ringvac vaccine to the cat

TherapyBoy

Keep the cat indoors. These questions have already been answered for you.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058373988/cat-ringworm-and-awkward-neighbour-advice-needed-please

Base price

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122721150#Comment_122721150

A 10% solution of household bleach or a 5% solution of Hydrogen Peroxide left for 10 to 15 mins on timber surfaces should be enough to kill it before rinsing off. Be careful using the bleach as it could stain the timber. I don't think Hydrogen Peroxide does but stand corrected. Do a test patch first to make sure.

acequion

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122721551#Comment_122721551

Thanks but I have no timber outside so that's not a problem.

What about grass,concrete, asfalt? How long can fungi spores lie dormant outdoors, under the elements?

Lime Tree Farm

Going to try the male holly (hedgehog) in the weanling shed this year. One weanling became infected last year. Found an old can of koppertox, sponged it on, which cleared it up.

Base price

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122721812#Comment_122721812

Apparently the Irish climate (warm and moist) is beneficial for the spread of the fungus. AFAIK it doesn't have much of a stronghold in hot/arid countries. According to MSD Animal Health the fungus can live up to several years which I presume is more in sheds/slatted houses.

https://www.msd-animal-health.ie/species/cattle/ringworm/

Base price

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122721945#Comment_122721945

Around here they reckon the male holly is the one to cut.

acequion

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122722764#Comment_122722764

Feck! Just back from the garden centre and got the female. Does it matter that much?

Lime Tree Farm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122722869#Comment_122722869

Female won't produce berries unless you have a male holly in the nearby .

Base price

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122722869#Comment_122722869

No I don't think it makes much difference. AFAIK the only reason that male holly is preferred is because it has larger leaves and therefore acts faster. Anyway your house will be nice a festive for Christmas 😃

acequion

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122723066#Comment_122723066

I guess so.😍 As long as the bloody fungi aren't having dinner with us!

Reggie.

Bastil 55 will kill ringworm. Use it on cattle here and very rarely have it on stock

Reggie.

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