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

Adopting a puppy

Igor left the clinic this week. He had been abandoned in a cardboard box, but was lucky enough to have been rescued and brought to my clinic.

Igor was about five and a half weeks old when I first saw him.  A mongrel, possibly a cross between a cocker spaniel and a pointer.  I gave Igor all the necessary vaccinations there and then. It is a common misconception that puppies should only be vaccinated after they are three months old.

In reality, it is very important to vaccinate puppies as early on as possible since there are certain diseases that are more dangerous to young puppies.  One such disease is parvo virus – a terrible gastroenteritis that causes vomiting and diarrhoea and which is very often fatal.  Vaccination programmes are best left in the hands of your vet, who will also be able to check out your new puppy and make sure it is healthy. Your first stop after adopting a new puppy should always be the vet’s clinic.

De-worming should also start at a very early age. Again, your vet will be able to advise you about correct products and dosage. Puppies are often born with round worms as larvae have adapted and are able to pass through the placenta and develop inside the puppy while it is still in utero.  If you see any worm in the puppy’s stool, it would be best if you could take a sample in a glass jar to your vet.

Keep an eye out for tapeworms and roundworms which are both real worms that live in the intestines. Tapeworms are small and flat, while roundworms look like spaghetti - not to be confused with ringworm which is not a worm at all but a fungal skin infection.

Make sure you always let your vet know if your puppy is exhibiting any abnormal behaviour, and make it a point to stick to vaccination schedules in order for your puppy to be able to grow into a strong, healthy dog.

Dr. Martin Debattista,
Veterinary Surgeon
thisweekwiththevet@gmail.com