Dog ringworm, an owners guide to ringworm in dogs

Ringworm in dogs is a highly contagious skin disease. Contrary to what its name suggests, this condition is not caused by a worm. Instead, this disease is caused by fungus that lives in hair follicles.

Cause

Dog ringworm can be caused by various species of fungus. These fungi can easily be transmitted to other animals. Your dog can also transmit the disease to you. If you have ringworm, you can even give it to him.

Symptoms

Your dog will begin to show symptoms about two weeks after exposure to the fungus. The fungi weaken hair shafts and cause hair to fall out usually resulting in a round patch. Bare areas of skin will also be scaly or crusty.

Diagnosis

Ringworm in dogs can easily be diagnosed using a Wood’s lamp. A Wood’s light is an ultraviolet lamp that causes some species of fungus to glow when exposed to it. Another method of diagnosis involves taking a hair sample and examining it for fungal growth. However, this process can take weeks as fungi grow slowly.

Treatment

There are various treatments for this condition. One method involves using a special antifungal shampoo. This process will have to be repeated multiple times. The antifungal medication can also be applied to the skin lesions as a cream for 10 days or so.

A last treatment option for dog ringworm is oral medication. This form of treatment can last up to a month. If your dog has this condition, you will also need to treat the environment to prevent reinfection. You should get rid of his dog or flea collar, grooming utensils, and bedding.