Purrs In Our Hearts - Cat Forum UK
Cat General => General Cat Chat => Topic started by: faye at pawprints on February 25, 2009, 18:14:39 PM
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hi,
i have run pawprints, a small cat rescue (with a few other species) for the last 10 years. the cats are rehomed vaccinated, neutered and microchipped into homechecked homes with follow up support given whenever needed.
last year i dealt with a situation of around 80 cats, mostly pedigrees, living in awful conditions, with severely underweight cats, cat flu, diahorrea, earmites and ringworm. most of the animals were taken in by breed rescues to whom i am eternally grateful, but i now have, despite isolation and barrier nursing, a ringworm outbreak amongst 56 cats. currently 32 of them have ringworm. it is not one of the worst forms of ringworm - i am seeing one or two patches of hariloss of about 5 to 10 pence in size, but it is VERY contagious.
the cost of funding treatment of ALL the cats, which is what would be required, works out at about £100 per week and with the numbers of cats being high could be needed for a year or more as the ringworm circulates, therefore amounting to around £5200 a year. i was already struggling to fund the rescue with carboot sales, ebay, raffles etc.. the difficulties of isolating so many cats (which i haven't got facilities for), and getting the ringworm spores out of the environment will be a hugely difficult task. i run the rescue from home which makes trying to keep everything ringworm free really difficult.
myself and my vet have contacted the manufacturers and suppliers of ringworm medications and treatments to try and get some donated, but have had little response.
i have been advised by a number of people that i will have to have many of the cats euthanased to try to control the outbreak. i have many feral, semi-feral, nervous, old and health issue cats who live here on a permanent basis, but 20 are beautiful, affectionate and certainly homeable cats. if anyone out there is able to take even one of these cats it will help all the others who are here and at risk of infection. some of the homeable cats are not showing any signs of ringworm, but may be carrying or incubating it, and some already have it. there is also a diahorrea issue with some of the cats due to them carrying giardia which again can be carried by cats who show no symptoms and who, once mixed with the main group have spread the infection. that has been a nightmare to deal with too.
i have never been through such problems. i have always been aware that with letting the cats live together any contagious conditions could spread and through careful isolation upon arrival over the last 10 years i have avoided such problems. i care for these animals deeply and euthansia seems an impossible option, but without reducing the number of cats i will not get control of the ringworm and the cats will suffer which is not an option either.
please, can anyone who has somewhere to isolate a cat, and can afford to treat the ringworm if the cat already has it, and treat for it on a preventative basis in case they are incubating it, take some cats or even one cat. i am desperate. i cannot fund treating such a big outbreak, or isolate properly. i am trying every option i can. i can transport any cat/cats.
i am desperate. i hope someone out there can help.
faye
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Oh my goodness what a terrible situation....
I am so sorry that I can't help as I have a mutli household of 11 cats.
Hope you can work something out xxx
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Oh my goodness what a terrible situation....
I am so sorry that I can't help as I have a mutli household of 11 cats.
Hope you can work something out xxx
thank-you, i'm doing my best for them,
faye and the furries x
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Gosh , sorry to hear of your problems. I'm afraid we have no isolation facilities here.
Have you contacted CP HQ to see if they can help?
I always thought that Ringworm tended to die out of its own after a couple of months. Do you use a cleaner/disinfectant such as Virkon - this also claims to be effective if used as a treatment on an animal.
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Gosh , sorry to hear of your problems. I'm afraid we have no isolation facilities here.
Have you contacted CP HQ to see if they can help?
I always thought that Ringworm tended to die out of its own after a couple of months. Do you use a cleaner/disinfectant such as Virkon - this also claims to be effective if used as a treatment on an animal.
hi,
i am trying CP HQ tomorrow, thank-you.
ringworm can die out after a couple of months, that did happen with 2 cats a friend took in. the problem here is the high number of cats - as one cat gets over the ringworm one of the other cats will have infected it again. its awful.
i'm using a 1:10 solution of bleach as recommended to kill the ringworm spores in the environment. i was using virkon too but read that it is not as effective at killing the spores. i hadn't heard about using it on the cats themselves, i'll check with my vet tomorrow.
thank-you,
faye x
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Oh my I do hope someone can come to the rescue. There would be no way I could take a cat as I already have 6 myself. Are there any cats which your totally sure they dont have the infection or do they all have it?
Hope something comes up soon :hug:
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Oh my I do hope someone can come to the rescue. There would be no way I could take a cat as I already have 6 myself. Are there any cats which your totally sure they dont have the infection or do they all have it?
Hope something comes up soon :hug:
hi,
some of the cats show no sign of infection at all, but they may be incubating the ringworm. they are kept separate from the cats with ringworm but the 'clear' group of cats are coming down with it one by one, so it is either in the environment despite cleaning or one of the cats is 'carrying' it. i have to keep checking them all.
faye x
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I hope you get help soon :hug: :hug:
Ringworm can survive in the environment for a very long time making it a right princess to get rid of. Ask your vet about a product called micotopic, a bottle goes quite a way so may be more cost effective than your current treatment?
Giardia is easily treated with panacur, not nice if humans catch it tho :sick:
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I hope you get help soon :hug: :hug:
Ringworm can survive in the environment for a very long time making it a right princess to get rid of. Ask your vet about a product called micotopic, a bottle goes quite a way so may be more cost effective than your current treatment?
Giardia is easily treated with panacur, not nice if humans catch it tho :sick:
hi,
i read about the ringworm surviving in the environment for up to 2 years, i was horrified. sadly it will mean that i cannot rescue any more cats for a long time which is devastating too.
i haven't come across micotopic, thank-you for telling me about it, i will ask my vet about it tomorrow.
i have been using panacur for the giardia along with metranidazol antibiotics. it has helped but apparently some cats carry it without showing symptoms which must be how it is infecting others. most of the cats that came from that house had it. a nightmare :'(
faye x
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What a desperate situation, we have a very multi household with 43 hooligans mainly ferals and had an FIP rescue on our hands and she sadly died which meant testing in the end we tested her remaining kitten and the younge=sters under 2 all came back negative except her kitten Beijing who si a Corona carrier but shows no symptons so we take each day with her as a blessing so can totally sympathise with your issue
have you tried Safe Cleaning Solutions their Rep is called Paul and gives very good free samples - I will look for his details tomorrow as I still have 18 litter trays and dogs to walk
Have you tried appoarching some of large food companies Royal Canin etc they may help with foods for the ill cats just a thought we got their recovery food for Gem when she was ill like wise for our oldie feral Miss Gracie when she could only eat liquidised food due to a mouth tumour they gave us a whole load of samples
Perhaps a press release may generate public interest for funds to by getting folks to sponser cats - they get a news letter in return from the cat or the like
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I agree re contacting CP HQ - we did a branch visit there last year and they have a dedicated ringworm isolation unit with scrubdown etc - well worth a try - good luck :hug:
PS - maybe this thread could be moved to somewhere it will be seen more as the rescue room doesn't get much traffic.
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Will move to main Cat chatting
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Just bumping this up in case anyone can help - such a sad situation :(
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I hope CP can help. The nurses were great. One of them said it was so sad that kittens going in there are full grown cats by the time they leave - but at least they are cured. I think it can take 4 - 5 months. They have special overalls and boots. They have to walk through a disinfectant bath mat on the way in & out.
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What a desperate situation, we have a very multi household with 43 hooligans mainly ferals and had an FIP rescue on our hands and she sadly died which meant testing in the end we tested her remaining kitten and the younge=sters under 2 all came back negative except her kitten Beijing who si a Corona carrier but shows no symptons so we take each day with her as a blessing so can totally sympathise with your issue
have you tried Safe Cleaning Solutions their Rep is called Paul and gives very good free samples - I will look for his details tomorrow as I still have 18 litter trays and dogs to walk
Have you tried appoarching some of large food companies Royal Canin etc they may help with foods for the ill cats just a thought we got their recovery food for Gem when she was ill like wise for our oldie feral Miss Gracie when she could only eat liquidised food due to a mouth tumour they gave us a whole load of samples
Perhaps a press release may generate public interest for funds to by getting folks to sponser cats - they get a news letter in return from the cat or the like
hi,
i hadn't tried to get food or cleaning products, just the ringworm medication (without much luck). still trying though, i have just emailed safe4 and virkon, so finger crossed. will try the food companies later.
it sounds like you have a lovely furry family, but it is heartbreaking to hear that you have been through a FIP scare. someone i know went through it (not as many cats) and it was so stressful for her. all is ok now luckily. cats have so many potentially infectious problems.
thanks for your thoughts,
faye x (and purrs from my lot to yours xxx)
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hi,
i am waiting to hear from cats protection HQ, fingers crossed they can help.
does anyone know any other rescues who can isolate who might be able to take one or two cats?
i am now up to 33 cats with ringworm, i found that sage, a sweet little one-eyed semi-feral boy who has been here for years has come down with it today. he'll hate having medication, poor lad.
faye x
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Faye, I'm so sorry for what you're having to deal with and my heart goes out to you. I'm sorry I can't help as I have a houseful already but I will put a plea out for you to see if anyone can take the odd one or two and isolate. Fingers crossed everything works out ok :hug: :hug: :hug:
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thanks dawn xxx
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I can't help practically I'm afraid but now that payday has arrived I'd like to send a donation - paypal or online bank transfer, whichever is better for you just let me know :hug: For what it's worth sending you lots of positive vibes too :hug:
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Hi Faye Hun
Have sent you £50 form the Purrs Buster fund to your paypal donate button on your site. - http://www.pawprintsanimalrescue.co.uk/
I will also pop some more from me personally. I wish i could help more practically with isolation for the cats. :'(
Sending over much luv and hugs to you for caring for them.
I so hope CP HQ can help.
:hug:
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Sorry to hear of the troubles you're facing at the moment, and I hope CP can help with some isololation facilities :hug: :hug:
I've been paid today, need to wait for the cheque to clear, but would like to make you a donation early next week xx
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Faye I am so very sorry that I cant offer to help out by taking some for you,my pens are currently full and I have spent most of today re jigging to fit in last nights RTA. Not sure if you know about Daktarin Gold,its a human cream but safe for cats and works really quickly available from Boots and most chemists.
Have sent a donation via paypal.
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Im expecting a cheque next week from my Ind, Tribunal claim which has now been settled so i would like to donate as soon as its clear, hope it helps :hug: :hug:
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Have sent a donation via paypal :hug:
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im sorry that i can not help but i will tell my sisters about your situation see if they can make a donation and i will see if i can save some pennies for you i just wish i could do more
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hi,
thank-you all for your donations, it is so kind of you all and certailnly a help. the pawprints furries send lots of luv and purrs to you xxx
cats protection HQ have offered to take 3 cats (katie (see below), shirley and little izak) into their ringworm isolation pens, with maybe a couple more later which is fantastic news, and 10 year old clio may have a home to go to, which is positive.
this is katie when she arrived - the smell was awful with all that poo on her - - -
(http://i207.photobucket.com/albums/bb320/fayepawprints/DSC07908.jpg)
and this is katie (i was told she is an angora/ragdoll cross) after, curled up with amber, a little oriental girl, another who came from the same place who was soooo thin. katie still has stains in her fur here - they took ages to go, poor girl.
(http://i207.photobucket.com/albums/bb320/fayepawprints/DSC07944.jpg)
faye x
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Faye I am so very sorry that I cant offer to help out by taking some for you,my pens are currently full and I have spent most of today re jigging to fit in last nights RTA. Not sure if you know about Daktarin Gold,its a human cream but safe for cats and works really quickly available from Boots and most chemists.
Have sent a donation via paypal.
hi teresa,
sounds like you have your hands full, hope the little rta cat is ok? i didn't know about daktarin gold, thank-you for letting me know xxx
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I can't help practically I'm afraid but now that payday has arrived I'd like to send a donation - paypal or online bank transfer, whichever is better for you just let me know :hug: For what it's worth sending you lots of positive vibes too :hug:
hiya,
thank-you for your support, we really appreciate it :)
if you go to my website www.pawprintsanimalrescue.co.uk there is a paypal button on there where you can donate.
a big thankyou to you,
faye and the furries xxx
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Hi faye, i am sorry i cant help with taking any of the cats, but i will send a donation to you by cheque on Monday. I hope Tilly is ok. :hug:
Sending you positive vibes and :hug: for caring for them. x Pav
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Have just sent you a little something to help out...wish it could be more :-[
Great news about the CP helping out ;D
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Good news that CP can help with a few :hug:
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via cats protection HQ they are currently taking 12 cats into 3 different branches, so that's 12 with a positive future :)
they have been wonderful, giving support and advice, i am hugely grateful :Luv2:
faye x
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Faye glad things are sounding better and its nice to see help being given
Hope things start to look up for the others and that things get a bit easier for you. We are to faraway to help but I get paid at the end of the month and will send something then
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cats protection are currently taking 12 cats, so that's a 12 with a positive future :)
they have been wonderful, giving support and advice, i am hugely grateful :Luv2:
faye x
That's great news Faye. The girls we spoke to there were really dedicated so I think they really do have a good future and plenty of attention in the meantime :Luv2:
Are they going to arrange transport?
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Thats great new that CP are helping out.. They do try and support all.. But dealing with ringworm isnt easy.. Its a shame soem PR cannot be made of this and put RSPCA to shame... What about Battersea helping or Blue Cross.. all may have quararatine units hopefully..
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hiya,
just an update - - i have been offered a home with suitable isolation for 4 more cats by a supporter of the scratching post rescue. me and the furries are so grateful. with the donations you have given i have also been able to set up 3 more isolation areas for the cats here.
i cannot thank you all enough, i felt there was no good way out of this situation and now to have hope and know some of the cats have a positive future is such a relief. i still have a lot of work to do and still desperately need more places with isolation facilities to take a cat or two, but to be dealing with this amongst the support you have given is so much more positive.
luv n purrs to all who have helped,
faye and the pawprints gang xxx
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Thats great new that CP are helping out.. They do try and support all.. But dealing with ringworm isnt easy.. Its a shame soem PR cannot be made of this and put RSPCA to shame... What about Battersea helping or Blue Cross.. all may have quararatine units hopefully..
hi sharon,
thankyou for your suggestions, i now have a long list of blue cross centres to phone, so fingers crossed :thanks:
i have been told (although the person was not sure) that battersea have a 7 day euthanasia policy, does anyone know if that is right? i wouldn't want to ask for help if they do put animals to sleep after 7 days if not rehomed :( i don't think they do that but just wondered if anyone knew for sure?
faye x
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cats protection are currently taking 12 cats, so that's a 12 with a positive future :)
they have been wonderful, giving support and advice, i am hugely grateful :Luv2:
faye x
That's great news Faye. The girls we spoke to there were really dedicated so I think they really do have a good future and plenty of attention in the meantime :Luv2:
Are they going to arrange transport?
hi,
i have to say cats protection HQ have been so supportive, they really have. they cannot arrange transport so i had a 250 mile round trip yesterday and have over 500 miles to do tomorrow :shocked: which is worth it to give the cats a positive future :Luv2:
i wonder if the cats will let me have a lie-in on saturday morning :) i doubt it somehow :)
faye and the furries xxx
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Shame you have to do all that driving Faye :hug: - hopefully they will be able to take more as & when there is space?
Just a reminder if anyone can help with a donation to help with petrol, meds etc. even a small amount helps ;) - there is a PayPal button on Faye's website www.pawprintsanimalrescue.co.uk
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I have never heard that about Battersea .....presumably the Dogs Home which also takes cats.
They do have a website but wouldnt say that would it.
You see their helpers walking the dogs in Battersea Park, I cant believe that they would take lots of care but then only keep them doe 7 days.
They also have good medical care there as well.
I guess the only way is to ring them and ask, I know they dont have a lot of cat places but they took a cat from me but his owner turned up that night and went and got him back after seeing a poster.
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I'm pretty sure that battersea do not pts after 7 days
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hi,
i haven't been online much over the last months, getting through the ringworm outbreak here has taken such a lot out of me, both physically and emotionally, and i was quite poorly too, amongst other problems, so it has been a difficult time which got me quite low in myself.
i want to thank everyone who helped through this forum so, so much. your support made a huge difference to both myself and the cats. i run the rescue by myself on the whole and it was a scary time, and knowing people cared made such a difference..
things are settling now, and although it will be a long time before i can feel the ringworm has truly gone from here (i run the rescue from home), the worst is over, with huge thanks also to the rescues with isolation facilities who could take some of the cats.
CAN A RESCUE USE 2 BIG DOG CAGES?
with donations collected for the ringworm outbreak i bought some big 48" dog crates which i separated with perspex to isolate cats with ringworm in. i have to give these several thorough cleans with virkon, bleach and/or imaverol (which will kill ringworm if made at the right strenghts), before they can be used again (in the environment ringworm lives on things like loose hairs, wood and textiles more than anywhere else, so in theory after several scrubs with anti-fungol cleaners they should be ok to re-use).
i'd like to offer these back into use in the rescue community once i've got them ready but am not sure if people would feel comfortable using them????? i'd understand if not. i would suggest more repeated cleaning to be sure! they look as new, and 2 are available (i am offering 2 on another forum who helped too). if they would be of use to anyone do let me know (i am in staffordshire).
again, so many thanks to you all, :thanks: :thanks:
faye and the furries xxx
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So glad to hear that things are picking up for you :hug:
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So glad to hear that things are picking up for you :hug:
thankyou :thanks:
faye and the furries xxx
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Glad things seem to be more positive now Faye, sorry to hear you've not been too well yourself :hug:
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hope things will gradually get back to normal for you, cats and you :hug: