Приют во Флориде ищет помощь для лечения 20 котят с опасным грибком и лейкозом

GAINESVILLE, Fla. (WCJB) - The Humane Society of North Central Florida is asking for help caring for 20 kittens battling ringworm. Five of those kittens also have feline leukemia virus (FeLV), which can take weeks to treat. Ringworm is highly contagious, meaning the kittens must be kept separated from other animals while they recover. Treatment takes time and resources The Humane Society said treating so many kittens at once takes a lot of time and resources. “The challenging thing about ringworm is that it’s so difficult to get rid of so it can be time costly and it can be demanding upon resources and time, as well, from staff,” said Candice Hirt, director of operations for the Humane Society of North Central Florida. The kittens receive lime sulfur dips, testing, and daily care as they work toward becoming ringworm-free. The Humane Society said donations can help cover that treatment and get the kittens one step closer to adoption. Isolation required during treatment Some types of ringworm can spread from animals to humans. That is why the kittens must remain isolated while they go through treatment. Five of the 20 kittens being treated also have feline leukemia virus, adding another challenge to their recovery. “Certain types of ringworm are contagious to humans, so, because of that, we try to make sure they’re isolated, so no they are not up for adoption because obviously we don’t want people catching it and then it being in people’s homes,” Hirt said. Kittens more vulnerable to infection Shelter workers said kittens are vulnerable to the infection. Ringworm is a fungal infection that can cause hair loss and lesions. “Then you start seeing a lot of these kittens that come in and have hair loss and lesions all over them, that tends to be ringworm, and also kittens tend to have more compromised immune systems so they’re more likely to get ringworm,” Hirt said. The kittens will need weeks of treatment before they are cleared and can be adopted. To make a donation or learn more about the humane society, click here.