Cats: ringworm

Last week Scabby’s owner came in. I usually remember pets’ owners depending on how difficult or severe the case was.  Scabby had the most severe case of ringworm I had seen in a tiny kitten, and an owner with a heart of gold, wishing to do all that was necessary. And she did. 

It was wonderful to see Scabby’s owner coming in last week to neuter some strays which she also feeds.  She told me that Scabby had turned into the most loving of house cats and she was really grateful.

Ringworm is not a worm; it is a fungal disease of the skin.  The name ringworm is derived from the fact that quite often it spreads in a circular fashion, and as it spreads the centre heals and leaves the shape of a ring.  Ringworm is very common in stray kittens, possibly due to the fact that they live in damp conditions and would not have developed any immunity when they are young.

Ringworm is contracted by direct contact, even by humans, so it is very important to avoid touching strays unnecessarily and to always wash hands afterwards.  But Scabby was bad. Not only was most of her body affected, her case was complicated by having a superimposed skin infection and most of her nails were deeply involved. Poor Scabby, I recalled, was just about the size of my palm when I first met her.

Good deeds never get the amount of publicity as bad deeds.  So often, especially during Sunday emergency clinic, we see people coming in to save a stray kitten they have found, not to mention the many people who take care of the countless colonies of cats around the island, and the volunteers working in dog sanctuaries.

There is really far more kindness towards animals in Malta than we give credit for.

Dr Martin Debattista
thisweekwiththevet@gmail.com