Savahna Borrego bathes Little Dude at Verde Valley Humane Society

The Verde Valley Humane Society (VVHS) saves animals every day. Recently VVHS was faced with an outbreak of ringworm in their felines, cat adoptions were halted.

Feline ringworm (feline dermatophytosis) is not worms. It’s a fungal infection that affects cats, dogs, rodents, rabbits, birds and other species. Humans are also at risk. Animals, like people, get infected through touching an infected animal’s skin or hair or by touching things, like blankets and towels, which are infected with the fungus.

Ringworm appears as circular areas of hair loss, scaly and crusty skin, and inflammation.

Ringworm is very contagious and also very treatable and curable. The incubation period can be up to twenty-one days. Kittens may seem fine, be adopted, and then show signs of ringworm two to three weeks later. There is no vaccine and it is costly for shelters, due to the amount of staff time needed to treat the condition.

Ringworm is common in animal shelters, which like VVHS take in strays from the community where there is always a chance that cats and especially kittens can bring in ringworm.

When ringworm was discovered at VVHS, the affected cats were immediately examined with ultraviolet light which revealed fungus-coated hair glowing yellow-green. They were isolated from other shelter animals, staff, and volunteers not involved with their care. Dedicated staff members wore protective gear (gowns, gloves, and booties) while handling and bathing the kittens and followed strict protocols.

For three weeks, three staff members, Savahna Borrego, Christine Heinze, and Monet Beltran took on the task of bathing and treating up to 30 cats a day. They put on protective clothing, took each cat into a small warm bathing room, bathed and soaked each cat in medicated shampoo, kept the cat warm for ten minutes, rinsed the cat, and dried the cat. Besides baths, each cat required daily doses of an oral antifungal medication and was weighed and progress charted.

While the cats were in an isolation area, the cat room was cleaned and sanitized with fungus-killing disinfectants. All the toys and cat trees that could not be completely sanitized were discarded.

Before a cat was released to be adopted, each received a PCR test and spore-free cats were released into the pristine cat room. They’re now waiting for spaying, neutering, and new homes.

“The good news is our competent and compassionate VVHS staff provided the medical care and quarantine measures necessary to heal the felines and bring them back to good health,” VVHS Executive Director Brenda Ridel said.

The staff became familiar with each cat and kitten and hope they all find the great homes. Lucky adopters will get very well-socialized cats used to baths and nail trimming.

If you suspect one of your pets has ringworm, isolate that pet from other pets and children and call your veterinarian.

The Verde Valley Humane Society is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the animals and people of the community and provides a healthy, caring environment for shelter animals until they are adopted or returned to their owners. The shelter, located at 1520 W. Mingus Avenue, Cottonwood, serves Cottonwood, Clarkdale, and unincorporated Yavapai County including the Village of Oak Creek. For more information, to make an appointment to visit adoptable pets, or to donate call 928-634-7387 or visit VerdeValleyHumaneSociety.org

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