Introduction

Materials and methods

Acknowledgments

Results

Conclusions

Laura MullenShelter Outreach Programs Manager, San Francisco SPCA

.

If you teach them, they will cure.

Applying accurate protocols along with proper training can greatly reduce the amount of ringworm found in the shelter. Once ringworm is discovered on a shelter animal, there are tools that can be used to contain the exposure and protect the non-infected. These methods can also expedite animals under treatment and ultimately getting them to their adoptive homes quicker. The main roadblock that many shelters face is the lack of dissemination of knowledge. The SPORE program has proven that adoptable animals can be saved when the correct information is getting to the front lines of the shelter workers.

Application of research-based methods by Moriello and

Newbury to shelters across the country by breaking

down those concepts and applying them to shelters of

all shapes and sizes.

At many shelters, ringworm can lead to devastating consequences. However, it does not have to be –with proper protocols it can be safely treated and cured. At the San Francisco SPCA, we save more than 350 animals with ringworm every year. Since the start of our program in 2012, we have saved over 1500 animals with ringworm.

With the help of generous grants through Maddie’s Fund and through the Maddie’s Fund Ringworm Apprenticeship Workshops, over 42 shelters in 19 different states have come to the SF SPCA for SPORE training and countless animals are now receiving appropriate treatment for this curable disease in shelters across the country. Shelters in our immediate area have not had to euthanize an animal solely for having a ringworm infection in over 5 years.

San Francisco Ringworm Protocol

Daily Itraconazole 5mg/kg for 21 days only. If under 6 months pulse one week on

one week off If over 6 months 21 consecutive daysKeep an eye on culture results, may need to pulse one more week for severe cases after 8 weeksKeep in isolation until 2 negative DTMsTwice weekly Lime-Sulfur dips while in isolationWeekly cultures to determine response to treatmentWeekly ‘deep’ cleaning of isolation wardsEvaluation of first negative animals and relocationGRADUATION

ReferencesMoriello, Karen A,,;Coynert, Kimberly; Paterson, Susan and Mignon, Bernard. “Diagnosis and treatment of dermatophytosis in dogs and cats” VetDermatology 2017; 28:266-68

Newbury, Sandra and Moriello, Karen. “Feline Dermatophytosis: steps for investigation of a suspected shelter outbreak” Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery (2014) 16, 407-18