Malaseb Bath
This bath is critical for kittens and cats that are from the pound or an unknown source - if the foster has ringworm this will assist in managing the outbreak.
Every kitten that comes from the pound needs to have 2 Malaseb baths. 1st one on intake and the 2nd bath 7 days later
If your kitten is showing signs of illness, please contact your Cat Coordinator prior to bathing and discuss the process.
Carefully place the cat into a tub, bucket, or sink up to their neck in warm water.
Take the kitty out of the water and with gloved hands rub the liquid ‘Malaseb’ all over their body (NOT THEIR HEAD), making sure to get every inch of the cat (including in between their itty bitty kitty toes). *Note: ‘Malaseb’ is a very toxic substance designed to kill the fungus, so DO NOT let your cat lick themselves while covered in it!
Wrap the cat tightly in a towel and sit holding them for 10 minutes. Try to calm them down if
they’re feeling anxious. (This may be a great time to pop in the popantel treatment)
Unwrap the cat and place them under warm running water to rinse all of the ‘Malaseb’ off. We recommend recommend gently rotating them under the water to make sure every inch of their body has been rinsed clean. Again ‘Malaseb’ is incredibly toxic, so please make sure all of it is completely washed off of your cat.
Dry the cat using a DIFFERENT towel to the one you used before.
Drain away the ‘Malaseb’ water, and thoroughly clean the area where you washed the cat. Make sure to also wash your hands thoroughly in case any ‘Malaseb’ ended up on them despite the gloves.
Keep the new arrivals in quarantine for 2 weeks. In particular, keep them away from your other pets.
Unfortunately, it’s not just the cat that will need a deep clean. Ringworm spreads incredibly quickly and can attach itself to almost anything, so it is best practice to thoroughly clean any areas of the house the new arrivals has been in. Basically, vacuum the carpets and any other fabric areas, bleach any surface that can be bleached, and wash things like blankets, sheets, pillows, mats, cat beds, and fabric cat toys in a wash with ‘Canesten’ to kill any fungi hiding in the house. (Refer to Cleaning the ringworm environment section). You may want to use a cleaner that vets use called F10, which is highly effective in killing ringworm spores.
If your kitty has suspected rIngworm take photographs and send to your Cat Coordinator. They will liaise with the FFARQ medical advisor, and let you know what steps to take. Options may include:
‘Terbinafine’ is an anti-fungal tablet requiring a script from a vet, who will prescribe the dosage.
You can also use a ‘Terbinafine’- based cream called ‘Ilium’ or 'canestan tinea' to treat the ringworm infected areas (rubbing into the affected areas twice a day) using gloves.
Keep a close eye on your cat in isolation to see if any ringworm signs re-appear. Also, keep an eye on the rest of your household (both animal and human) for any signs of ringworm on them.
If you notice any thinning of the hair or crusty/flaky skin (particularly around the ears and face) take some clear photos of the affected area on the cat then contact your Cat Coordinator immediately.
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