Ringworm in dogs

Dog ringworm is a common skin infection that can have an adverse effect on the health and happiness of your pet. Contrary to what its name suggests, a type of fungus causes it instead of worms. This illness may cause your dog to lose hair, develop skin rashes, and experience itching.

Thankfully, there are treatments for ringworm, but early detection is key. It is also highly contagious, not only to humans but also to other animals, so prompt action is required to stop its spread.

We’ll examine the causes of ringworm in dogs, how to identify it in them, and the most effective ways to treat and avoid it in this post. Knowing about ringworm is a first step toward keeping your dog happy and healthy, which should always be your top priorities.

Causes of ringworm

The fungi in the genera Trichophyton and Microsporum are the cause of ringworm, and their corresponding diseases are known as trichophytosis and microsporia. There isn’t much of a difference between them; they both exhibit the same symptoms and need the same care.

Extremely resilient spores, which are resistant to changes in temperature and other environmental factors, aid in the reproduction of fungi. Spores can cause infection if they land on skin or hairs. Fungi’s waste products harm hair follicles, the epidermis, and the hair itself. The disease gets its name because the latter break and appear to be broken as a result.

Microsporum and Trichophyton are the fungi that cause ringworm.

Any breed or age of dog is susceptible to infection. It should be remembered, though, that every breed has a unique body’s resistance. As a result, while some get infected right away, others can just sit in the spot where the sick dog sat without any consequences. A lot relies on the overall health of the body; cheap food, chronic stress, and parasites all have an impact.

Types of ringworm in dogs

• pink – has a viral nature, the most harmless. Goes away on its own in a maximum of five days. Does not require treatment);
• ringworm (this is what microsporia and trichophytosis are called). A characteristic sign is oval spots on the fur coat of a four-legged friend, bald spots;
• branchy – the cause of its appearance is fungi. First, a bright pink spot appears on the skin, which soon turns yellow or brown;
• eczema (weeping lichen). In fact, the name "lichen" is inappropriate here, since it does not correspond by nature to other subtypes of lichen. Eczema is caused by allergens, not fungi. The disease manifests itself as follows: first, a thick rash appears on the skin, then the area turns red and swells, and cracks and nodules with liquid also appear.

In dogs, weeping lichen

Table 1: Lichen types in dogs

Type of lichen	Source of infection	Danger of infection of a person from a dog
Ringworm	Dermatophytes	Yes
Pityriasis versicolor	Yeast-like fungi Malassezia furfur, Pityrosporum orbiculare, Pityrosporumovale	No
Pink	Infection, allergens	No
Eczema	Allergens	No

It is preferable to leave it to an expert to identify which lichen subtype is causing a dog’s problems. Self-medication and self-diagnosis have the potential to destroy the body permanently.

How infection occurs

Most often, infection occurs through contact with a sick person an animal – a cat or another dog. This risk is especially high if the pet has interacted with stray dogs in one way or another. The fungus gets on healthy tissue and begins to multiply.

Indirect contact, such as through combs, dishes, toys, or streams from a sick dog, carries an even higher risk of infection. A sick dog’s fungus spores land on everything in close proximity to it, including the collar, leash, and muzzle as well as anything the dog was approaching. This item becomes a possible hazard to other animals. This also holds true for the ground, sand, construction waste, and rodents—fungi that cause illness in animals can grow anywhere.

It is possible for the illness to spread from one animal to another.

The dog’s level of immune protection is a major factor in this process. Dogs with low immunity are more vulnerable. Puppies and very young dogs are most at risk from diseases, or vice versa for very old and weak dogs. They typically contract the infection in the fall and spring, which is caused by a lack of UV rays, which are harmful to fungi, as well as the seasonal decline in the body’s resistance.

Take note! In damp, poorly ventilated rooms with inadequate attention to sanitation, dogs are particularly vulnerable to fungal infections.

Signs of ringworm

Eight to forty days are needed for incubation. The dog usually alerts you to the fact that its health is far from ideal even before any outward signs show. The animal might exhibit irrational sadness, stop eating, and stop interacting with its owners. Then the outward signs start: spots develop on the head, tail, and bottom of the paws, particularly in the region behind the ears. The dots are small, spherical, and well defined. The skin starts to peel and itch, and the color of the skin changes as the hairs completely fall out of them.

Dog ringworm symptoms

The skin becomes uneven and crusted, and nodules filled with liquid appear. An additional unavoidable side effect of any ringworm is excruciating, occasionally excruciating itching. When a dog or person is ill, the afflicted areas bleed and change color as a result of the dog’s constant discomfort and scratching.

Take note! The illness has the potential to destroy the dog’s claws in addition to its fur coat. The claws’ delamination and altered shape serve as indicators of this.

Prognosis

If treatment is started on time, the prognosis is very good. Adequate care typically ensures a full recovery, and the dog will quickly lose memory of its lichen. However, in the absence of treatment, the prognosis is dire because sepsis and/or inflammation could spread.

You must get in touch with a veterinary clinic right away if you think you have lichen.

Diagnostics

Schedule an appointment with a veterinarian right away if your pet exhibits one or more concerning symptoms, particularly if the dog becomes sedentary and uncommunicative. They will use Wood’s lamp to shine a light on the dog’s fur coat in order to make a rough diagnosis. Fungi-affected areas will turn emerald green right away. However, this measurement frequently falls short of providing a full picture. As a result, the patient has a culture and a deep skin scrape. We can already discuss treatment based on lab data.

Lichen diagnosis using a Wood’s lamp

Treatment

• ointments ("YAM BK");
• tablets ("Griseofulvin", "Ketoconazole", "Itraconazole", "Fluconazole");
• antihistamines ("Zodak", "Febtal");
• probiotics to balance the gastrointestinal tract ("Viyo");
• immunomodulators ("Fosprenil", "Ribotan");
• vitamin complexes (Excel Brewers Yeast, Gelakan Baby, Kanvit, Kanvit-Junior).

Beginning treatment at the first indications

A sick dog needs to be kept isolated in a different room, away from people and other animals. This is known as quarantine. Applying ointments to the afflicted coat areas on a regular basis is also essential. However, only in the early stages of the illness can the use of external treatments be restricted. They will not suffice later on. Before treating the wounds, the dried crusts from the sores are removed. The dog is fitted with a protective collar to prevent it from licking or scratching the injured area.

• ointments (Clotrimazole, Sanoderm, Termicon, Fungin, YAM BK);
• special shampoos with antifungal action (Nizoral);
• solutions (Fukortsin, Miconazole).

Seeing the dog to the vet is still crucial because the type of lichen the dog has will determine how exactly it should be treated. Furthermore, you need to be positive that your pet has lichen and not another illness that presents with symptoms similar to lichen. And only a veterinarian, using the research data at hand, is qualified to draw such a conclusion.

Treatment at home

Many dog owners have preconceived notions about veterinary clinics, thinking that the doctors’ sole concern is their personal gain and that any necessary manipulations can be performed on the dog on their own. Experts are hesitant to categorically label non-pharmacological treatments as harmful. They are able to handle redness, swelling, and irritation well. But they are unable to get rid of fungi, which are the primary cause of ringworm.

Therefore, we can confidently state that, in the majority of cases, treating ringworm at home without the assistance of a veterinarian is not possible. The earliest stages of the illness are the only exception. However, even in this instance, reasonable caution is required because the dog’s skin can be gravely harmed by the same alcohol solution.

To prevent burns, iodine should be carefully applied to the animal’s afflicted body parts.

• iodine (affected areas are lubricated four times a day. You cannot let the dog lick itself!);
• apple cider vinegar (lubricate the spots five to six times in 24 hours).

The best way to stop the dog from licking itself is to put on a special medical collar.

Dog’s protective collar

Why it is necessary to see a doctor?

Sadly, there hasn’t been much of a decline in the number of people who have unreasonable fear of veterinarians. Some people think that ringworm in dogs will go away on its own; all you have to do is wait. It can actually go away, progressing to the point of sepsis and ultimately taking the dog’s life, which could have been spared agony rather than suffering.

Furthermore, postponing a clinic appointment means postponing the beginning of appropriate treatment. In the meantime, the infection continues to spread throughout the body as the fungi manage to occupy a larger area.

A veterinarian can assist in identifying the type of ringworm and provide a recommended course of action.

Crucial! Sulfur ointment, pure alcohol, or brilliant green should never, ever be used to treat a dog. despite the fact that the latter is regarded as a "primordially folk remedy." In actuality, these treatments not only have no chance of curing the illness, but they can burn tissue just as badly as the fungus themselves.

The higher chance of a precise diagnosis is another benefit of seeing a veterinarian. Ringworm is not always evident and can be mistaken for conditions like pyoderma, seborrheic eczema, and atopic dermatitis, which share symptoms. Below, you can read about the symptoms of dermatitis and the diagnostic techniques that can be used to differentiate it from ringworm.

Dog dermatitis

Video – Ringworm in pets

Dog ringworm is a common fungal infection that causes itchy, circular patches of hair loss on the skin. Even though it’s not a worm, it can easily spread to humans and other pets due to its high contagiousness. To stop it from spreading and make sure your dog recovers quickly, early detection, treatment, and good hygiene are essential.

Caring for a sick dog

Strict and thorough adherence to all veterinary instructions is the first and most crucial step. Testing must be done in a methodical manner, and the dog must be fed a sufficient amount of high-quality food on a regular basis.

Ideally, of course, it would be better to place the dog in a veterinary hospital, in a hospital for the duration of treatment for ringworm. Of course, such a measure is expensive. If it is not affordable, you should be especially meticulous about personal hygiene – yours and your pet"s, and you can only take your dog for a walk and pet it with rubber gloves. It is better not to let other household members near him during the treatment. It is good if during the treatment, the dog has the opportunity to allocate a separate corner of the apartment – for example, arrange it on the loggia. In this case, general cleaning with disinfection will have to be carried out there up to three times a week. All objects with which the animal came into contact must also be disinfected.

Rubber gloves should be used only when petting the dog.

Take note! Now, you can only take the dog for walks apart from other groups, away from dog parks and dog-friendly hangouts.

Prevention

• regularly clean the apartment using disinfectants;
• wash shoes more often;
• regularly bathe the dog if necessary, wash his paws after returning from the street;
• fence the pet from any other animals, especially unfamiliar or homeless ones;
• increasing attention to personal hygiene – this applies to all inhabitants of the house.

Vaccinating your four-legged friend is the best way to shield it from bad luck. It is important to keep in mind that this measure is not innocuous and may cause health issues. Following vaccination, immunomodulators, hepatoprotectors, and vitamins must be taken.

Video – Ringworm in dogs

Symptom	Description
Hair loss	Patches of missing hair on the dog"s body, often in circular shapes.
Scaly skin	Dry, flaky skin in the affected areas, sometimes with redness.
Itching	The dog may scratch or lick the infected spots frequently.
Brittle hair	The dog"s hair might become weak and break easily around the infection.

Dogs with ringworm can have distressing symptoms, but they can be managed with the correct care. It’s important to identify symptoms early on, so constantly watch out for signs on your dog, such as hair loss, flaky skin, or strange patches.

Don’t wait to get your dog checked out by a veterinarian if you think it has ringworm. The sooner you take action, the sooner your dog can begin treatment and stop infecting humans or other pets.

Treatment is not more significant than prevention. Your dog’s immune system can be strengthened and the chance of infections like ringworm can be decreased by keeping their environment clean and feeding them a nutritious diet.

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