Anyone in animal rescue knows there are fungal infections that can quickly spread. One of the most frustrating in cat rescue is ringworm, which spreads quickly between animals and can even be spread to humans! Now ringworm can be cured usually with no serious issues, but there is nothing easy about it.
There are intensive protocols that need to be in place to rid a cat of the infection. This means that in a shelter environment, cats RARELY find someone able to dedicate the resources to handle ringworm. Sadly, this means many felines are put down simply because no one steps in to help. But for three Siamese cats on the kill list in a Tampa shelter, they found a hero.
Photo courtesy of Andrea Budkis Christian / St. Francis Society Animal Rescue
When experienced cat foster mom, Andrea heard of the trio on the kill list, she knew her expertise was desperately needed.
Andrea Budkis Christian is a fosterer with St. Francis Society Animal Rescue in Tampa, Florida. In her amazing cat rescuer career, she’s dealt with the dreaded ringworm many a times. And she’s kicked it’s butt!
Knowing it takes special attention and dedication to conquer ringworm, she was happy to help.
This afternoon [April 23rd, 2019] I got a message about a family of Siamese cats about to be euthanized at a local shelter because they had ringworm. They are beautiful. Momma Edelweiss and her sons Blue Bell (lilac point) and Thistle (seal point.) They got fungal baths this evening, only found a couple spots on each kitten. Tomorrow lime dip!
Photo courtesy of Andrea Budkis Christian / St. Francis Society Animal Rescue
When the family arrived at Andrea’s foster home, they were taken directly to the bathroom. Here, they’d easily be in comfort while having to be isolated from the other animals. It is also MUCH easier to sanitize the room when it’s mostly tile–a good tip for you. Ringworm usually requires a lime dip or bath every other day so it’s very time consuming.
Thankfully, these cats have no clue how close they came to losing their lives.
Now, those lives were spent getting snuggles from their foster mom while in their seclusion. Happily, Andrea takes tons of photos and shares them all on her social media pages.
Photo courtesy of Andrea Budkis Christian / St. Francis Society Animal Rescue
And wouldn’t you know it!? The ringworm was gone after only a few treatments of lime dip and fungal shampoo baths! To everyone’s delight, it was under control quickly and never amounted to anything serious.
But still, never forget they almost died because of it.
Photo courtesy of Andrea Budkis Christian / St. Francis Society Animal Rescue
Momma Edelweiss was just as sweet as could be and was ready to find a forever home.
It had only been a week since she’d come to Andrea’s home, but the ladies had bonded adorably.
“Edelweiss Edelweiss
Every morning you greet me
Small and white
Clean and bright
You look happy to meet me
Blossom of snow may you bloom and grow
Bloom and grow forever….”This pretty girl has told me she is about ready to start looking for her forever home. I promised her that I would take care of her busy little men and that I would help them find their perfect homes as well. She trusts me.
Photo courtesy of Andrea Budkis Christian / St. Francis Society Animal Rescue
However, we know that many times young kittens are adopted before juvenile and senior cats.
Edelweiss is a huge purr baby who LOVES lap time and attention. Her eyes are slightly crossed and bright blue, a beautiful Snow Shoe Siamese. She has not met a human she does not adore. This retired momma is very much ready for a place to call HOME. A home where she will get a lot of love and attention!
Edelweiss is only about a year old, but the weeks passed and she remained at Andrea’s home.
As soon as their ringworm threat was cleared, Thistle and Blue Bell didn’t last long in foster care.
When first getting to learn their personalities, Andrea was happy to share her thoughts on the kittens. No one is sure what their life was like before, but now they could be silly kitties.
Thistle is a wild child. Blue Bell is perfect.
Bluebell is a lilac point Snow Shoe Siamese with bright blue eyes (hence his name), that are slightly crossed. He ADORES his brother Thistle. They are very busy young men. Bluebell is the more laid back of the two brothers. He enjoys his wet food, fuzzy balls, wrestling, and comfy blankets. He would really love a forever home with his brother or a home with another young playful kitty.
Thistle is a gorgeous Seal Point Siamese with blue eyes. He and his brother Bluebell are the very best of friends, a playful pair. Thistle is the more outgoing of the two brothers. He is VERY busy and when you even look at him he purrs.
At Andrea’s home, they like to fully celebrate the small miracles and happy moments.
It’s important to keep a “pawsitive” attitude when fostering and caring for sick kitties. Life can change in an instant, therefore, there’s always a reason to throw a party!
For instance, here they brought out the party hats for another St. Francis volunteers birthday. Granted, they’re still learning how to properly don their attire.
Photo courtesy of Andrea Budkis Christian / St. Francis Society Animal Rescue
Picture courtesy of Andrea Budkis Christian / St Francis Society Animal Rescue
Photo courtesy of Andrea Budkis Christian / St Francis Society Animal Rescue
Party photo courtesy of Andrea Budkis Christian / St Francis Society Animal Rescue
Photo courtesy of Andrea Budkis Christian / St. Francis Society Animal Rescue ~ Pretty sure this isn’t how you wear it.
Photo courtesy of Andrea Budkis Christian / St. Francis Society Animal Rescue ~ Wearable Puke Bucket? Ewwwwww….LOL
For the sweet trio, their next adventures were just around the corner–ringworm free!
On May 14th, a special family adopted BOTH Blue Bell and Thistle into their home.
Photo courtesy of Andrea Budkis Christian / St. Francis Society Animal Rescue
And seriously, the photos of them with their new human sister are certainly too cute!!!
Photo courtesy of Andrea Budkis Christian / St. Francis Society Animal Rescue
Because why wouldn’t she wear a kitty shirt to pick up her new kitties?!
Photo courtesy of Andrea Budkis Christian / St. Francis Society Animal Rescue
Mama wasn’t about to be left behind either. And it was less than a week later Edelweiss was off to her new furever home too!
Happy Forever Home Day to Edelweiss! She said goodbye to her boys this past week and now she is onto her new life. She was so sweet with her new human siblings.
Photo courtesy of Andrea Budkis Christian / St. Francis Society Animal Rescue
Be careful when encountering ringworm, because according to wikihow.com, there are a few things that must be considered.
For most healthy adults, ringworm is a mild infection that clears easily with topical anti-fungal treatments. However, you should always seek medical attention for children, the elderly, or those with suppressed immunity. Because if allowed to go unchecked by the body’s defense system, ringworm may cause serious skin infections.
Therefore, if you are interested in helping rid cats of this irritation, be sure to ask your vet, professionals and/or other rescuers that have battled it.
Photo courtesy of Andrea Budkis Christian / St. Francis Society Animal Rescue
Many cats who come into contact with the ringworm fungus do not develop skin disease, as their immune system prevents the fungus from establishing itself.
We’ve personally dealt with ringworm only once–with our darling rescued kitten Zig Zag.
Photo: Zig Zag and her Dioxiguard rub down
One product that we learned of that we COULDN’T HAVE DONE WITHOUT, is DioxiGuard. Anyone about to battle ringworm or know others that have/may be, be sure to check it out! *Not affiliated with jkatinc in any way but the stuff is amazing!
REMEMBER: SPAY/NEUTER, FOSTER, VOLUNTEER, TNR and as always, ADOPT, DON’T SHOP!
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