Apology: Off topic, but help requested

[Carol Lynn]

Hi everyone,

I hope you all had a nice holiday!!

I apologize for posting something completely off topic, but I know how knowledgeable and helpful you all are, and I'm hoping someone might be able to give me an opinion about this.

I found my poor little Squirtie on the street as a kitten with horrific injuries last December. He has since healed up, but I noticed while he was stretched out in front of me today that a little dry spot I noticed a week or so ago on his bald belly has suddenly gotten much bigger. I thought it was just an irritation because he has no fur, but now I'm worried. It's Sunday, so I can't get him to the vet today, but I will call them first thing tomorrow.

I'm posting a bunch of pictures to give you an idea of the size and location. You may notice that his injuries rubbed off all his little nipples except for two, and they are now not aligned and much closer together than they should be. What particularly worries me is that this dry-looking patch is right above them, where another nipple should be, and I'm worried that it could be something related to that. Any ideas what this might be?

I would greatly appreciate any thoughts, and again, I apologize for putting something up that isn't squirrel-related!!

Many many thanks!!

[JPlagg]

Looks like ringworm to me.

[island rehabber]

Looks like ringworm to me.

Same thought. Easy to fix!

[Carol Lynn]

Thanks, everyone, for your ideas. I appreciate it! I didn't think it was ringworm because none of my cats go outside, and he's the only one that has it. It doesn't appear to be itchy, either, because I never see him going at it. I guess I should get him to the vet ASAP to confirm, though, because I don't want it to spread to them all. Thank you again!

[island rehabber]

Thanks, everyone, for your ideas. I appreciate it! I didn't think it was ringworm because none of my cats go outside, and he's the only one that has it. It doesn't appear to be itchy, either, because I never see him going at it. I guess I should get him to the vet ASAP to confirm, though, because I don't want it to spread to them all. Thank you again!

Good luck, Carol --- and if we're mistaken, please do tell us what the vet said it actually was!

[Carol Lynn]

Good luck, Carol --- and if we're mistaken, please do tell us what the vet said it actually was!

Thanks, Maura. I am in a bit of panic because of have six of them, and three of them are the type I wouldn't be able to get to the vet unless they were in really bad shape. None of the others have any lesions, and little guy has been with us for over a year and this just started. Right now I have all their bedding in the wash with hot water and bleach, and I just vacuumed the floors. I have no idea how I will disinfect the house if it turns out to be ringworm!!

I just wanted to mention, though, that his baldness is from his injuries - not from this sore. Don't know if that makes any difference or not.

Ugh. Will certainly let you all know what the vet has to say, but from what I've read online, an accurate diagnosis of ringworm takes time. Hope they know well enough to identify it just by looking at it!

[stepnstone]

I guess I should get him to the vet ASAP to confirm,

Considering the poor boy's "nipple history" I think that's a wise choice.

[TubeDriver]

I am not sure what that is, could be a lot of things from Ringworm to a bacterial skin infection to some type of dermititus? But it does not look that bad so hopefully it will be easy to treat and cure! As IR said, please let us know what the vet thinks.