Buy smaller and buy sooner

FOR APPROVAL PSE

First-time buyers typically need to save for at least three years to afford the deposit on a home, and the VAT and fuel price increases announced in this year’s Budget are going to make it even more difficult for them to reach that goal.

“And as home prices continue to rise, they may feel like they are never going to get there, especially since they will also need cash to pay bond registration, legal and transfer fees,” says Rudi Botha, CEO of BetterBond, SA’s biggest bond originator.

“However, it is never a good idea to try to buy a home without a deposit, and there is another way for prospective buyers to shorten the saving process.”

The BetterBond statistics* show that the average home price currently being paid by first-time buyers is R797 000, with the average deposit being R91 000 – or about 11,4% of the purchase price.

In addition, he says, the most recent BankservAfrica figures show that the average take-home pay in South Africa is now R14 000 a month, so even a couple who are able to save 10% of their total earnings every month (R2800) will need almost three years (32,5 months) to save up the R91 000.

“Most will of course take longer than that even if their salaries increase in the interim, because their rent will probably also go up, along with the cost of food, transport, utilities and healthcare, and then there are always those emergencies that disrupt the plans of even the most diligent savers.”

But the answer, notes Botha, is not to give up on the idea of paying a sizeable deposit, because this will not only improve their chances of being approved for a bond but could also mean that they qualify for a lower interest rate. And a lower interest rate means more affordable monthly repayments plus big savings on the total cost of a home over the lifetime of the bond.

“The real answer for those who are really keen to get into the property market is to reset their sights and buy a less expensive home as a starting point. By doing this they will lower the amount they need as a deposit and quickly be able to replace their monthly rent payment with a bond repayment on an asset that is increasing in value.

“They should then also be able to divert what they were saving for a deposit into their home loan account and build up extra equity in the property that can be used, in a just a few years’ time, to help them ‘trade-up’ to a bigger and better home without having to stress about raising a big enough deposit.”

Issued by etc

*The BetterBond statistics represent 25% of all residential bonds being registered in the Deeds Office and are thus a reliable indicator of the state of South Africa’s residential property market.

Anne-Marie Bamber is Norgarb Properties dedicated Home Loans Consultant. She has over 15 years’ experience in assisting clients with their Home Loan needs and has placed many happy families in their dream homes.

Contact her today for no cost stress-free home-buying.
Anne-Marie Bamber
Home Loans consultant
Tel: +27 (0)21 851 3568 | Fax: +27 (0)21 441 1494 | Cell: +27 (0)82 071 1665
E-mail: anne-marie.bamber@betterlife.co.za









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Condom Use

A recent study by the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC)  has revealed that condom use in South Africa has declined since 2012.  Condom use is essential for reducing the risk of sexually-transmitted diseases, such as HIV, and preventing unwanted pregnancy.  But in that crucial moment, how can the brain be better employed to remember to use a condom?


By Dr Samantha J. Brooks Ph.D.

As the French would say, life is not worth living without joie de vivre – which in English means, exuberant enjoyment of life! If we are lucky, according to some religious texts, we may live for “three score years and ten” – a score being 20 years. And so, to really enjoy those precious seventy years (or more!), we must try to strike a happy balance between exuberance and sensible behaviour.  Living only for pleasure without checks and balances can lead us down the opposite path of disease, with the risk of encountering maladies such as obesity from over-eating and HIV from risky sexual behaviour.  Both over-eating and risky sexual behaviour are impulse control problems.  Remembering to say no to the third helping of food, or thinking about buying – and using – a condom, are decisions rooted in our brain’s ability to regulate immediate, tantalising distractions.  With the brain processes of impulse control in mind, what can we learn from neuroscience about how to go on enjoying life while avoiding risky behaviours and remember to use a condom?

Billy Connolly, the British (Scottish) out-spoken comedian once quipped – about the withdrawal method of birth control – that it would take a herd of wild horses to stop him mid-coitus!  His funny skit perfectly emphasised just how powerful human sexual desire can be, and how difficult it is to remember to be sensible in those moments of exuberant enjoyment of life! Using a condom then, is no mean feat, and might explain why the presence of this latex friend is growing conspicuously absent in South African society.  However, comedy and joie de vivre aside, our forgetting to invite the prophylactic to the party poses a serious threat to our achieving a healthy, disease-free three score years and ten.  And so it makes sense to find ways to use our brains more effectively, so that one can both have the cake and eat it.

From where in our brains does the feeling of sexual desire stem?  As with most rewarding experiences, sexual behaviour, and it’s climax, involves a huge release of dopamine – the brain’s pleasure and motivating neurotransmitter – into the old part of the brain called the limbic system.  This system – sometimes called the basal ganglia – is a network of fibres and regions at the heart of the brain.  Interestingly, when the level of dopamine sloshing around the basal ganglia rises, the front part of the brain receives a signal via a gate known as the anterior cingulate cortex.  The messenger carrying dopamine knocks on this gate to tell the prefrontal cortex to open up and join the dopamine party (think of a house party spilling out on to the street!).  If the prefrontal cortex isn’t busy doing much, it will probably join in, and forget about its other responsibilities!  However, if the prefrontal cortex is busy thinking about other things (such as which jacket pocket the condom is in, or which shop is still open to buy a packet), it will lock the gate so that the dopamine messenger can’t barge in.  Locking the gate on dopamine disturbance is the essence of how the brain can achieve cognitive control over our urges.

How then, do we lock the anterior cingulate cortex gate so that the wild horses  don’t barge in? For some it is temporarily more difficult, especially if the party is in full swing, because the prefrontal cortex doesn’t fully develop until about age twenty, and declines as we get older. However, the lock on the gate gets stronger with practice as our brains never stop evolving, they are malleable and neuroplastic until we have spent our three score years and ten. Practice involves regularly keeping in mind thoughts about future – instead of immediate – goals. And while it might sound boring, it’s better to keep the party in the basal ganglia under lock and key! So, keep practising thinking about where to buy your next packet of condoms and keep your prefrontal cortex busy!


Dr Samantha Brooks is a neuroscientist at the UCT Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health, specialising in the neural correlates of impulse control from eating disorders to addiction.  For more information on neuroscience at UCT and to contact Samantha, see www.drsamanthabrooks.com. Note: Images royalty free, courtesy of https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki.

Asbestos - To Use or Not to Use

Asbestos – To Use or Not to Use, that is the Question

Asbestos is a fibrous material that became popular in the building industry in the early 1900’s. It occurs naturally and helps to create products that are extremely durable and resistant to corrosion and weathering.  These attributes, coupled with the fact that asbestos was an affordable option, meant that the rate of use increased significantly. Despite its excellent properties, it has become known that exposure to asbestos is a severe health hazard, and it is now declared to be responsible for thousands of deaths each year globally.

So where is asbestos found? Asbestos fibres are often mixed with cement or woven into fabric to create materials that are resistant to fire and heat. It also makes an ideal reinforcement component in glues, mortars and finishing cements. It can be found in roofs, gutters, pipe coverings, insulation boards, ceiling tiles, sprayed coatings and many other products. In addition, it is not uncommon to find asbestos in a friable form such as in loose insulation material found in roof cavities for the purpose of insulation.


Studies have shown that these products, if in sound condition and left undisturbed, will not pose any serious health risk.  If they remain fully intact, then it is generally safe and there is no need to remove them.  Asbestos is at its most harmful when the microscopic fibres are dispersed into the air.  These fibres can be easily inhaled by those in close proximity.

The affects that asbestos can have on one’s health can be devastating. Breathing in asbestos fibres can cause asbestosis, lung cancer and mesothelioma.  Mesothelioma occurs when inhaled asbestos fibres lodge in the outer tissue linings of the lung and abdomen. Over time, asbestos inflammation on the surface of these membranes can cause scar tissue plaques and a cancer known as mesothelioma. The risk increases proportionally to the number of fibres inhaled and often those affected have been exposed to high levels of asbestos for a long time.  Symptoms for these conditions often do not appear until 20-30 years after first exposure.

Any bonded asbestos material that is broken or damaged needs to be removed safely. Work that might release the fibres of asbestos containing material can cause a serious health hazard and it is therefore essential to ensure safety around this harmful substance at all times.


Protecting oneself from the harmful effects of asbestos, especially while building, is essential. Ensure that you are familiar with all the material being used on a project and get any material that you are unsure of inspected prior to use. If any materials which are damaged or broken are thought to possibly contain asbestos, the following short-term precautions may be put in place:

1. Spray with water to prevent soil/dust from becoming airborne
2. Cover with a tarpaulin or plastic sheeting
3. Prevent access to the site by children and pets
4. Use wet clean up procedures rather than dry sweeping or vacuuming

Only those who have been trained to work with asbestos removal and have the correct safety equipment are authorised to remove it. Any work such as drilling, cutting, high pressure cleaning or demolition needs to be carried out by an approved asbestos contractor.

Asbestos use is regulated in South Africa by The South African Department of Labour, as well as The Occupational Hygiene Section of the National Institute for Occupational Health (NIOH). The South African Department of Labour Asbestos Regulations (No.155 of 2002) prohibit an employer or a self-employed individual from carrying out work that will put any person at risk from asbestos exposure, while the NIOH provides a comprehensive range of asbestos-related services and advice throughout Southern Africa, including consultation, training, asbestos surveys, monitoring and evaluation. While still possible to use in building, asbestos remains a hazardous form of material and every precaution therefore needs to be taken when being used.


Norgarb Properties Agent Andre Ter Moshuizen who specialises in the Claremont area, shares some household tips and handy home hints with you every month. Read more of his articles here. [https://harfield-village.blogspot.co.za/search?q=andre]

Andre Ter Moshuizen: 082 602 1367 | andre@norgarb.co.za | www.norgarbproperties.co.za [http://www.norgarbproperties.co.za/]













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You, Your Staff and your EMP501




Before I begin talking about IRP 5's and EMP501's.

The new tax tables have are available for the new Financial Year, grab them at www.thebookkeepingcompany.co.za/businesstools.co.za. update your systems if you are doing your salaries and wages manually.

Now its time for you as the Employer to submit your EMP501 to our friends SARS. Deadline 31st May 2018.

What is EMP501. It is the Annual Reconciliation of all the salaries and wages. The salaries you have paid to your staff permanent, contract etc. It is the PAYE and UIF that you have deducted from everyone. It gets reconciled once a year and submitted to SARS. Then IRP5's and IT3 Certificates are created for each staff member and directors or members of companies and close corporation.

Be prepared...

Ensure you have your paperwork all in order. SARS wants all the details of your staff. I have a staff take-on form available at www.thebookkeepingcompany.co.za/businesstools.  The most important documents needed that any employer must get from their staff or staff to be. It is their ID or Passport and some form of FICA document. A letter with their name and address and it must match to their ID or Passport.  Verify your staff as you have been verified at the bank. All Staff members need to be registered for Income Tax with SARS. If they are registered, and don't know there Income Tax No. Let them call SARS 0800 007277, make sure they have all their details on hand for verification, even their old addresses or cell phone no's.

Otherwise a visit to SARS will be required.  If they aren't registered they need to take their ID, Proof of address and 3 months bank statement not older than 3 months to SARS and register.  If you process your EMP501 on the desktop you can register them through Easyfile. They will have to go in and verify themselves if they want any refunds from SARS.

Once you have all the information you can begin with your EMP501 or hand it over to your accountant.

If you are doing it yourself, pop over to www.thebookkeepingcompany.co.za/businesstools. You can download a copy of the step to guide on how to do your EMP501 reconciliation.

If you have any comments or suggestions re the above or need help. Please do not hesitate to contact me, Cherine@thebookkeepingcompany.co.za or on 082 403 0792.  I love to hear from you and how I can improve things or help you.

Tools for you mentioned in the article

A Step by Step Guide to the Employer Reconciliation Process EMP501

Staff Take on Form

Budget Tax Guide 2018/2019

April In The Garden


Even with under 50L per person per day, it's still possible to grow our own food – just in smaller quantities and we need to take better care of what we're planting and when. Going against natural cycles and seasons uses more resources on all fronts, including water.

Water from the sink or from washing hands is perfect for watering your plants, as long as you're not using harsh chemicals. 

Tip: For those of you who aren't doing this already, a 2L ice cream tub in the bathroom sink saves so much water! Just have a bucket near by to empty it into each time.

Here's the plant list of what you can grow this April:

Broad beans, Beetroot, Brocoli, Cabbage, Calendula, Carrot, Chard/Spinach, Celery, Chinese Cabbage, Chives, Chilli, Kale, Kohlrabi, Garlic, Globe Artichoke, Leek, Leaf Mustard, Lettuce, Onion, Parsnip, Parsley, Peas, Potato, Radish and Turnip.

Patchwork Group

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10 WAYS TO SECURE YOUR HOME


Home safety should be one of your top priorities, so here are the first 10 things you should do to help secure your home.

1. Secure the doors
In many instances burglars enter through the front door. Perform an inspection of not only your front door, but all the doors around your home. Make sure the frames are strong, the hinges are protected and the wood is not hollow. The front door might be a nice focal point of your house, but don’t sacrifice security for a pretty view.

 2. Lock the windows
The latches manufacturers place on windows aren’t always effective, and sometimes they’re downright flimsy. Replace them with locks or key-operated levers to help beef up your safety.

3. Purchase a security system
All homes should have some form of security system, whether it’s a basic DIY installation or a fully monitored smart system. Evaluate the needs for your area and choose a system you’re comfortable with.

4. Meet the neighbours
Your neighbours can be a helpful first line of defence against a home invasion. They know the area and can help keep an eye on your home when you’re away — but they can’t do that if they don’t know you. Make an effort to meet your neighbours and form good relationships so you’ll have people to rely on.

5. Perform a mock burglary.
Now that you’ve made friends with the neighbours, have one of them walk around and through your house to look for things that aren’t secure. Are valuables out in plain sight? Can you see through the curtains into the home? A mock burglary can give you great insight into areas of your security plan that might need tightening up.

6. Note your resources
Make sure that you have the contact numbers for the police, your private security company and Har-Lyn Neighbourhood Watch easily available. If you are not already a member of HNW, consider joining a patroller or assisting them in other ways. They are a valuable resource in the area.

 7. Light up the landscape
Place lights around your front and back yard. Use lights that come equipped with motion sensors for added protection. An intruder might be less inclined to break in if there is a spotlight on them.

8. Eliminate hiding places
Shrubs and bushes may give your house curb appeal, but they also provide burglars with a handy place to hide. Trim down trees and plants close to your home that could be used for cover.

 9. Add security signs
Ensure your security provider installs a security sign outside your house. If you don’t have a security system, weigh the pros and cons of fake signage. Sometimes the belief that there’s a security system inside can be as effective as actually having one.

10. Come up with a plan
It’s not enough to have security measures in place — you have to have a plan in case they fail. Sit down with your family and come up with a simple routine to help secure your home. Set rules for opening the door for strangers, locking the doors and windows whenever you leave, and using the alarm system. Make sure your kids know what to do should a break-in occur and have an exit strategy in the event of a fire or other emergency.

JENNI COLEMAN
Manager - Harfield Village Community Improvement District (HVCID)
Cel: 081 412 6109 E-mail: admin@hvcid.co.za


Capsule Clothing for Autumn


Capsule Clothing for Autumn expanding your wardrobe with each Season

Seasoned Capetonians know that the only way to survive our temperamental weather is with layers & an ever ready wind breaker. Now we begin to welcome the gradually changing season & breathe out with these occasional cooler days, as autumn approaches slowly after a scorching hot dry summer.

Perhaps like me I have never looked forward to our severe winter, but this year has change this for the foreseeable future!

We can begin to identify with those born & bred here who dream of curries, red wine & fires.

This is the perfect time to start to plan ahead on developing the concept of a new capsule of coordinating items of clothing to add to your existing wardrobe & blend together of old & new for more possibilities with separates.

I have begun already with two identical pairs of boot leg jeans of stretch denim of a beautiful hue of blue in a medium weight. I find personally that the older I get the less likely I am to tolerate discomfort in my clothing, as I have realised the moment I put on my clothes I want to forget that I have them on. The idea that I have to suffer to be beautiful no longer exists for me & probably shows on my face favourably.

I have several soft black jerseys & I have an every expanding collection of beautiful colourful Indian Shawls in suitable colours for me. I love accessories especially earrings & this will get me though the winter with a black coat & some light but warm vest. A genuinely faded denim jacket is a good addition for me too.


A concept that works for me as my taste for myself is established in a style it works so I often buy multiples of clothing, sandals, shoes or boots if they are available. This is because I am not standard in my size of my body or feet & always struggle to get what I like in my size.

One of the most important aspects to consider is your body shape is acceptance of the reality now. I remember I time when I was going to make or buy clothes once I was a certain size! This condemned me forever to be caught in a place when I had very little to wear. But once you accept & even begin to love your shape, you can begin to accommodate it in a flattering way with your clothing which then enables you to live in the present. This applies equally to age!


The advantage of Style verses Fashion is that one spends money slowly more wisely on basic classics that don’t date quickly. Your look can easily be updated with some fun things seasonally to add a dash of colour or fashion to your look. Style ages well but Fashion dates so quickly!

This is because Fashion is mostly aimed at the very young & slim. Fashion is about change & consumerism, while Style is economical as when you develop it you know your identity & this knowledge makes choices easier as you as you are no longer dazzled by the fizz of Fashion. Again this enables us to age more easily & gracefully as we don’t get stuck in a time warp.

According to the Gurus ~ One of the first steps is to define your style type & as you progress with this outer expression of an inner feeling  that helps you begin to make more appropriate choices. Next you are able to identify what possibilities exist for you in touches of fashion which is the fun part of getting your whole look together.

Apparently from my research I have found that the suggestion is everyone is one or more of these five style types ~ Classical, Chic, Whimsical, Bohemian & Avant-Garde. Of course this is not ridged but helps to define a mood or a look that is your favorite.

Fashion Stylists & Personal Shopper give you advice by taking a Style Test on the Internet to help you find what you identify with the most in order to give you the clarity & direction to adapt more easily.

Are you an introvert or an extrovert when you walk into a crowded room?
Do you want to blend in or make a statement about yourself?
Do you want to seem natural & easy going or do you want to exude power & be in control?

The key is to know yourself & what you are comfortable with projecting.  Here I think this is the appropriate time to quote Coco Chanel who was unique as she was daring enough to be herself.

She said explained both simplicity & style well by saying “When you get dressed look in the mirror & subtract something.” This creates simplicity.


Learn to trust your own instincts & wear what makes you feel comfortable in your own skin, then combine this with being daring & brave by trusting your taste.

I have a friend who always looks lady like & individual, who makes herself amazing signature necklaces which are shown to perfection on a tunic dress.

Strangely enough even opposite of Coco’s concept that’s because rules are made to be broken with Style~ Lydia is so individual & looks ladylike, unique and classy, as well as interesting artistic. These necklaces have become her signature pieces, like my earrings have become mine or someone else’s stacked colourful bangles. Accessories are the most playful addition to any clothing style.

Fine Feathers Sewing School









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Healthy Easter Nibbles

Easter has become a time of overindulgence with stores having shelves and shelves of Easter treat options.  We all know we can have the occasional treat but that we shouldn't overdo it, so why do we keep falling into the trap of buying too many treats and overindulging?  The supermarkets want to make sales, so they display their goodies to entice you.  Avoiding the display is only possible if you don't need to do any shopping!

How about going back to basics and making some enjoyable homemade Easter treats.  Here are some delicious ideas.

Bunny bread

Start by making a bread dough.

Ingredients:
·   135g bread flour
· 15g cake flour
· 2.5g instant dry yeast
· 110g fat free or low fat milk (adjust accordingly)
·  1g salt
·  15g granulated sugar
·  10g unsalted butter, softened

Method:
1.  Prepare dough by kneading all ingredients together (except butter) until it is soft and pliable
2.   Incorporate butter and knead
3.   Allow the dough to stand until it has doubled in size
4.    After dough has doubled in size, punch it down and divide into 5 equal portions
5.    Allow it to sit for another 10 minutes
6.   Shape the bunnies
7.   Allow them to rise for another 30-40 minutes
8.   Bake the bunnies for 13 minutes at 170 ͦC

Frozen yoghurt eggs


You will need a silicone mini cake pan, either in the shape of eggs of bunnies.

Ingredients:
·    ¾ cup low fat vanilla yoghurt
·    ½-¾ frozen or fresh fruit

Method:
1.  Place the yoghurt and fruit in a blender and blend
2.  Pour into the cake pan
3.  Freeze for about 2 hours
4.   Pop out of the mould and enjoy

Jelly eggs


Ingredients:
·   Egg Moulds
·   1½ cups boiling water or fruit juice
·   1 packet sugar free jelly

Method:
1.  Use a paper towel to wipe the insides and along the rims of both sides of the egg mould with vegetable oil or spray and cook.  Close the moulds and place them 'fill side up' on a tray
2.   Add the water or fruit juice to the jelly mix and stir for 3 minutes until completely dissolved
3.  Pour the jelly into the mould through the fill-holes until the eggs are filled just to the top
4.  Place in the fridge for 3 hours until firm
5.  Use a dull knife to gently pry open the egg halves, turn the mould over and gently shake to release the eggs
6.  Keep the eggs refrigerated until needed

Fun fruit                                                                       


Cut up fruit into small cubes and decorate on a plate to look like a bunny J

Carrot dip


Make a dip and place it in the middle of the plate in the shape of a carrot. 
Grate some carrot and cover the dip. 
Place some parsley leaves at the top. 
Place crackers or crudité around the 'carrot' and serve

Have a beautiful Easter


Kim Hofmann RD(SA)
Phone: 021 674 4666
Cell: 084 206 2715
E-mail: kimh.rd@mweb.co.za
Website: www.nourishdieticians.co.za













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RINGWORM – what is it, how does it spread and how do we treat it?

Ringworm is not caused by a ‘worm’ but is a fungal infection of the superficial layers of skin, hair and nails. It is caused by a specific group of fungi known as the dermatophytes,
so ringworm is actuallycalled ‘dermatophytosis ‘. The name ‘ringworm’
 probably derives from the lesion caused by the fungi which,in people, is commonly a round raised red ‘ring’ of inflammation.

There are various types of dermatophytes but the most common is probably MicrosporumCanis, which is zoonotic; can be spread between different species and can therefore cause ringworm in cats, dogs and humans.

What are the signs of ringworm in your cat?

 Diagnosing ringworm in cats can be a tricky process as the lesions are often very mild or completely undetectable. The fungi feeds on keratin that is found on the outer layers of the skin, hair and nails so these are the areas that we normally see signs such as:

• Scaly patches of skin in the depth on the coat that look ‘ashlike’.
• Hair loss - happens when the fungi attacks the hair shaft causing it to break
• Round,thickened patches of skin
• Patchy hair loss over a greater part of the body
• Flaky broken nails

Lesions are most commonly seen on the head, chest, front legs and along the back. Although ringworm can be itchy in humans, the lesions on your cat usually don’t cause irritation. It is possible for your cat to be a carrier of ringworm and show no external signs itself. These cats can infect their owner or other cats in a multi cat environment.

How does my cat get ringworm?

Ringworm is highly contagious and can be passed from one animal to another by direct contact with the infected animal or by contact with contaminated objects. It is estimated that the fungal spores can ‘hide out’ in bedding, brushes, food bowls, furniture etc for up to 18 months.
It can take around 7 to 14 days sometimes longer, for the fungus to develop into a visible lesion.

Who is at risk?

Contactwith ringworm fungus/ spores does not always mean the animal or person will become infected.Depending on a variety of factors such as:

• The amount of contamination in the environment
• the age of the exposed animal/person
• the general health of he exposed animal/ person

Most healthy animals and adults have no problem fighting off a ringworm infection. However, those with depressed or undeveloped immune systems, such as the elderly, kittens and children, or those with skin sensitivities may be more susceptible to developing ringworm.

How will the Vet diagnose ringworm?

In the ‘good old days’ your vet may have taken your cat into a dark room and shone a ‘Woods lamp’ onto the lesion as MicrosporumCanis lesions often fluoresce under an ultra violet light. Nowadays it is more likely that your vet will take a skin scraping to examine under the microscope or hair samples that can be cultured to grow the fungus in the lab or both. The problem with the latter option is that we now know it can take up to two weeks for spores to develop into fungus. So if your vet suspects your cat has ringworm it will probably be given ringworm treatment in the interim.

Depending on the extent of the lesions it can take between three to five months of treatment to completely eradicate the infection.

So, although ringworm is not life threatening it can be a very tedious, annoying thing to get rid of! Regardless of the extent of an infection and to reduce the potential spread of the fungus into the environment, treatment is always indicated.

How will my vet treat a ringworm infection?

 Depending on the extent of the infection your vet will probably use:

• topical ointments/creams or shampoos
• oral anti-fungal drugs.
• All of the above














Treatment is usually a long haul of at least 6 weeks.  Repeat Skin/ hair samples may be needed for follow up cultures to determine whether your pet is still infected . Depending on the circumstances it may even be necessary to clip your cat or treat other pets in a multi pet household.

It is important to deal with environmental contamination so bedding, bowls, brushes etc should be washed or sprayed with suitable antifungals. This particularly includes your hands and any surfaces the cat has been in contact with.

Will my cat recover from ringworm?

Although as we have shown, treating ringworm is not a quick fix most cats will recover fully. Although, it may recur if treatment was not given effectively, continued for long enough or was not aggressive enough. If your cat has an underlying condition which is compromising its immune system, alternative treatments may be needed.

 What about me?

As we have discussed , most healthy adults with a strong immune systems should be able to ward off a possible ringworm infection. However, any break or irritation on the skin will leave it  vulnerable and open to those fungal spores! Good hygiene when you are handling an infected cat is important and if you think you may have a ringworm lesion it is best to seek medical advice and get proper treatment.

Kenilworth Veterinary Clinic
47 Kenilworth Road, Cape Town
kenvet@telkomsa.net
Telephone: 021-671-5018


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