{"id":49160,"date":"2022-02-25T09:30:42","date_gmt":"2022-02-25T14:30:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=49160"},"modified":"2022-02-18T11:07:23","modified_gmt":"2022-02-18T16:07:23","slug":"ringworm-in-dogs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/ringworm-in-dogs\/","title":{"rendered":"How to treat ringworm in dogs"},"content":{"rendered":"

What is ringworm?<\/a> | Symptoms<\/a> | Treatment<\/a> | Prevention<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

Dogs are our best friends. We take care of them for their entire lives and, in return, dogs love us pretty much unconditionally. Unfortunately, our furry companions are susceptible to some of our same health conditions. One of these is ringworm, also known as tinea, dermatophytosis, or microsporum canis.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

What is ringworm?<\/h2>\n

Ringworm is a fungal infection of the skin. In humans, it appears as an itchy, circular, red rash. It can be transmitted by touching contaminated surfaces or person-to-person. It commonly affects feet (called athlete\u2019s foot), and the groin area (known as jock itch). It\u2019s common in athletes due to their prolonged periods in sweaty clothes. It can also occur on the hair and nails. There are many over-the-counter and prescription <\/span>treatments for ringworm<\/span><\/a> in humans. In dogs, there are several other considerations.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Causes<\/span><\/h3>\n

\u201c<\/span>The fungus responsible is called a dermatophyte, and it consumes the keratin of the skin and hair, resulting in patches of hair loss on dogs and cats as the infection spreads,\u201d says Megan Conrad, BVMS, a veterinarian with <\/span>Hello Ralphie<\/span><\/a>. Keep an eye out for these patches.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cRingworm is most common in puppies (and kittens) or in dogs with a weakened immune system,\u201d says Sarah Wooten, DVM, CVJ, a veterinary expert for <\/span>Pumpkin Pet Insurance<\/span><\/a>. However, it can occur in any dog.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Dogs can contract ringworm from the environment where it lives in warm moist soil, from food bowls, dog beds or brushes, or it can be passed along directly from other infected animals. \u201cRarely, a dog can be a carrier without ever showing symptoms of ringworm and end up spreading it to other animals and humans,\u201d says Dr. Conrad. \u201cOne of the most common causes of ringworm seen in practice is owners introducing new animals into their homes such as puppies and kittens that may carry the fungus and pass it on to their other pets or owners.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Is it contagious?<\/span><\/h3>\n

Ringworm in infected dogs, <\/span>like in humans<\/span><\/a>, can be passed through direct contact. Sometimes \u201cit may be species-specific meaning that it isn\u2019t contagious between different species,\u201d says Chyrle Bonk, DVM, a veterinarian working with<\/span> Hepper<\/span><\/a>.<\/span> Other types of ringworm can be transmitted across species.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Its ability to move from creatures and on surfaces makes it even more contagious. \u201cRingworm is very contagious because the infection does not have to take place from infected animal to animal, it can also be spread through objects that have been contaminated by an animal or human with ringworm,\u201d says Brian Evans, DVM, of <\/span>Dutch<\/span><\/a>.<\/span> \u201cRingworm can also live on untreated surfaces for up to 18 months.\u201d To avoid reinfection, clean all contaminated objects with a disinfectant. Fungal spores can stick to objects like dog brushes and combs, food and water bowls, furniture, carpet, and bedding. It can be difficult to remove ringworm spores from the environment. Try vacuuming, steam cleaning carpets, washing affected laundry twice, and using a <\/span>diluted bleach solution<\/span><\/a> for surfaces.<\/span><\/p>\n

What does ringworm look like in dogs?<\/h2>\n

While ringworm in dogs might look similar to how it does in humans, ringworm doesn\u2019t have to come in the typical raised ring shape. It can be irregularly shaped and may present as scaly or flaky areas of hair loss surrounded by brittle, broken hairs. Dr. Wooten adds that it commonly appears on the muzzle. Other common areas include the abdomen, inner thigh, and toenails.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cClaws can also become infected and can result in them becoming rough or broken off,\u201d Dr. Evans says. Keep up with regular nail trimmings to help keep nails healthy and to watch for signs of ringworm.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

How to treat ringworm in dogs<\/h2>\n

If you suspect your dog has contracted ringworm, it\u2019s best to have it looked at and treated, rather than wait and see. \u201cThere is a chance that ringworm can go away by itself, but this will be at the cost of your dog\u2019s well-being,\u201d says Dr. Evans. \u201cThey will experience symptoms for a longer amount of time than necessary as opposed to if they received proper medical care.\u201d Untreated ringworm in dogs can take <\/span>nine to 12 months<\/span><\/a> to go away, but that\u2019s a long time for your dog to be uncomfortable. Since ringworm is contagious to humans and other animals, waiting a year for it to go away on its own is not a good plan.<\/span><\/p>\n

How is ringworm diagnosed?<\/span><\/h3>\n

Don\u2019t try to diagnose and treat ringworm without an appointment with your vet. The doctor will do several tests to confirm the diagnosis of ringworm\u2014and rule out other similar skin conditions. Bacterial skin infections, mite infections, and allergic skin diseases can look very similar so it is important to have the correct diagnosis before beginning treatment. After your vet determines that ringworm is the cause they can advise you on the best course of treatment.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cRingworm is usually diagnosed with a physical examination of the dog\u2019s skin, fungal culture and\/or with a light called a Wood’s lamp,\u201d says Dr. Conrad. A Wood’s lamp emits black light of a specific ultraviolet light frequency that makes infected hairs glow a green color. It\u2019s not a definitive diagnosis, but can be one of several clinical signs.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe gold standard in diagnosing ringworm is a fungal culture,\u201d says Dr. Wooten. \u201cThese can take several weeks to grow which is why a Wood’s lamp can come in handy.\u201d If the Wood\u2019s lamp shows signs of a fungus, your vet may prescribe medication until the culture results come back.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Treatment medications<\/span><\/h3>\n

Like <\/span>human antifungal meds<\/span><\/a>, there are over-the-counter topical treatments for mild cases of ringworm in dogs. There are creams, ointments, and medicated shampoos applied to the affected area. Your vet may also give you a prescription-strength treatment.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Drugs used to treat ringworm in both dogs and humans include:<\/span><\/p>\n