Ringworm in Dogs

If you have seen your dog scratching a lot and found some hairless skin lesions on parts of its body, the probability is that your pet may be infected with ringworm or dermatomycosis. Well, to put the records straight ringworm is not really a worm but rather a form of fungal infection caused by any one of the fungal species: Microsporum gypseum, Microsporum canis, or Trichophyton mentagrphytes. The most usual indication of the infection is the presence of red ring like rashes or sores on the skin. As the severity of the infection grows, so does the skin lesion,s resulting in the hair shafts breaking off and the patches of hairless skin. Prevalent mostly in the hot, humid climate, ringworms are commonly found on the face, ears, tails and paws of the dogs. They are transmitted onto the skin of your pets by either direct contact with an infected animal or contact with an item that is contaminated with the spores. Although almost every breed of dog and even cats are susceptible to the infection, ringworm seems to affect pets with weakened immune systems or pre-existing skin disorders, much more than the others.

Diagnosing ringworms in dogs is difficult due to the resemblance of the symptoms of the infection with other skin allergies in dogs. For those wondering, as to what ringworm looks like on dogs, here is a list of some of the common symptoms of the infection.

Symptoms of Ringworms in Dogs

The Growth of Skin Lesions: The appearance of circular skin lesions in dogs is a classic indication of ringworm infection. These flaky, bald, ring like patches on the dog can begin in a small area of the skin and slowly spread over. Appearing mostly on the head of the dogs, these lesions can aggravate your dog as they start itching. It is also important to note that it is not necessary that the skin lesions be circular. Canine ringworm usually has no set pattern and can be oblong, spotted, or oddly shaped as well and is therefore confused with other skin conditions such as demodectic mange.

Itching: In some dogs the infection may also cause itching. This may lead to the dog scratching the skin lesions, causing cabbing, bleeding and further loss of hair.

Red Scaly Skin and Skin Pustules: Another symptom of ringworm is the presence of skin which is inflamed and scaly. This is due to the inflammation of the hair follicles. Along with this, there may also be small skin pustules which are present on or around the hairless skin lesions.

Diagnosis and Treatment of Ringworm

There are several methods for diagnosing ringworms in dogs. One of the more popular methods is, the use of a specialized black light called a Wood's lamp. The ringworm fungus when exposed to this light, glows a fluorescent color. The other method of detecting nearly 40%-70% of all infections is to pluck and examine hairs on the periphery of the lesion, under the microscope using a preparation of potassium hydroxide solution. However, the most accurate method of diagnosing ringworm in dogs is, to collect the scales and crust of the skin and performing a routine culture.

Once ringworm is diagnosed, treatment should start immediately, as humans risk contracting ringworms from their pets. Most of the times, it will run its course in two to four months and the symptoms will resolve themselves. However since it is contagious, it is better to cut down the period of infection by applying topical antifungals such as Lotrimin cream, chlorhexidine ointment, and miconazole cream. In addition the vet may prescribe Griseofulvin or oral treatments like fluconazole. For the severe cases, a lime sulfur dip is recommended to kill the infection.

Although these methods of treatment are effective, the best way to prevent your dog from the hassles of the infection is, to decontaminate the environment and cleaning the bedding of your pets in order to destroy the spores. In addition, steam cleaning the carpets and furnishings will also kill a large number of the spores. Also, keep in mind that since you too are at risk of infection, you have to wear gloves when handling the affected animals and wash your hands immediately afterwards.