I is for Itraconazole

I is for Itraconazole.

What is that, you might ask, as well one might?

It's an anti fungal medication, used, in cats, probably in humans also, to treat ringworm.

It can be very hard on a cats liver.  I only tried using it once, for ringworm.  It tastes so foul, immediately, you are set up for a fight, to get it down the cat, every single day for months.

I've never seen a cat get over ringworm faster on Icky ItraC than with twice or thrice weekly lime dip.

I'm still a believer in the old school lime dip cure, because it works.

In Oregon, we have five species of ringworm.  The most common form affecting cats glows neon green under black light.

I've oft lamented, living in such a moldy state as Oregon, that we have not developed easier quicker cures for ringworm, or toenail fungus for that matter, which is just another form of fungus.

Would for instance a laser beam kill ringworm spores, that eat away at dead skin and hair follicles, often at the base of the hair shaft, which can cause it to collapse, with the resulting hair loss, typical of ringworm infections.

Over the counter human foot fungus remedies can be helpful in combating ringworm in cats too, especially, I found, the sprays.  I would dangle a cat from its scruff and spray its feet and between its toenails with Myconazole spray or one of the others.  It's also very important to clip ringworm cats' nails closely and keep them cropped.  Lamosil is most effective over the counter remedy, because it kills ringworm outright.  Most other anti-fungals prevent its reproduction.  Wrestlers are very familiar with ringworm infection.

In the end, back I go, to the old days, where lime dip was the way to go, to kill fungus.  Twice weekly and yes, it smells like rotten eggs.  Leave it on at least 15 minutes, rinse, then blow dry the kitty and keep them warm.

Aces, from the BS colony, with ringworm.

Ringworm on kitten Jiggles' feet

Once upon a time, I had 16 kittens and teens here with ringworm.  You might think that was overwhelming.  It was.  At first.  I got into a rhythm with the bathing, blow drying and after dip warming, so it was easy after the first week.   Ringworm infections mean death to shelter cats, not because the infection will kill them, but because it will delay the cats adoption for a couple of months and because it is contagious to other cats, dogs and to humans.  Such a mild infection is responsible for killing thousands upon thousands of kittens, cats, dogs and puppies.

That's why, because we humans want everything easy, perfect and now, and can't wait two months for a kitten to clear of ringworm, we need a modern fast cure for ringworm.  It's out there.  I know it.

And it is not Itraconazole.

I is for Ick and Itraconazole which is Icky!