Saving the Smallest Lives
Our Community's Kittens
ACSKC treated over 30 cats and kittens with ringworm last year. Today, we are challenged with the most severe case of ringworm we’ve ever seen. But that’s not all! These kittens are also afflicted with advanced upper respiratory infections and eye infections.
Due to this illness, some of these kittens have suffered eye damage so extensive that their eyes may require removal via enucleation surgery. Tragically, these infections are so severe that a five-week-old kitten succumbed to the illness shortly after entering our facility.
21 kittens in this condition are currently in our care, and more are on the way. In total, we anticipate 40 kittens will rely on us to save them from these multiple infections, and we are committed to the task.
We are acting quickly to save their lives, and your support will make a difference!
Ringworm is a contagious fungal infection of the skin and hair. It is transmitted through direct contact with the fungus, and may be passed by an infected animal or person, or by a contaminated object.
While ringworm in humans is easily treatable, ringworm in kittens is much more difficult to cure, and is often more painful.
These kittens arrived at ACSKC via our Trap-Neuter-Release Program, an initiative that works to reduce the number of community cats in Kent County by spaying and neutering their colony populations.
The colony these kittens came from is suffering from a ringworm infestation in the soil.
Additionally, kittens are incredibly vulnerable at this age, as they don’t yet have the ability to fight off illnesses. This makes them easy targets for upper respiratory infections that, when left untreated, may become life-threatening.
With treatment, it will take 6 to 10 weeks before the kittens are expected to improve from the ringworm infection.
Treatment for their fleas, ticks, upper respiratory infections and eye infections began as soon as they entered the shelter. Thankfully, these tiny beans are responding to antibiotic treatment and are ready to fight!
Once a week, our Medical Coordinator, Kay, dips every kitten in a lime-sulfur solution. While this yellow liquid smells awful, it’s incredibly effective at disinfecting their coats of the ringworm fungus.
Watch the video below to see Kay carefully dip a kitten just below the chin, before rubbing the solution over the top of their head, behind the ears and under the chin with a washcloth, being careful to avoid their eyes and nose. Because ringworm is highly contagious, Kay completes this intricate task while dressed in full PPE gear.
It is a very time consuming process, but a necessary part of their recovery!
Personal protective equipment, commonly referred to as “PPE,” is worn to minimize exposure to hazards that cause serious workplace injuries and illnesses.
Because ringworm is so contagious, staff wear full PPE gear when caring for these kittens. This includes a gown, gloves, hairnet, shoe covers and goggles.
The PPE gear is then removed and safely disposed of once care is completed. As an extra precaution, staff also take a shower and put on new, clean clothes before resuming their work.
Healing Hands
Huge Hearts
With Kitten Season in full swing, ACSKC is caring for over 100 kittens a day! And the cost of food and litter alone is a doozy.
In order to provide our sick kittens the care they need, treatment, PPE gear, and the possibility of enucleation surgeries totals to over $5,000.
And the care doesn’t stop once they’re better! Every kitten at ACSKC is fully vaccinated and spayed or neutered before they’re ready for adoption.
Every bit the community can offer will directly aid these tiny, vulnerable lives!
Thank you for your support!
