Should pets be treated for ringworm?
“… treatment of ringworm in dogs is always necessary to avoid the spread of infection…” The most common way to treat ringworm in dogs is to use a combination of topical therapy (application of creams, ointments, or shampoos) and systemic therapy (administration of anti-fungal drugs by mouth).
What should I do if my dog has ringworm?
Your veterinarian will probably recommend a topical therapy, like a cream, ointment, and/or medicated shampoo to help treat and control the infection. Your vet might also suggest clipping long-haired dogs to speed up treatment and shaving the hair from affected areas.
Who is most susceptible to ringworm in dogs?
Who is Most Susceptible? Ringworm infections are not breed-specific. Ringworm can infect not only every dog breed, but also cats, other pets and even people. Statistically, ringworm is more frequently seen in dogs with troubled or weakened immune systems. Young puppies and older dogs are extremely susceptible ( 6 ).
How long does ringworm stay on a dog’s skin?
The fungal spores of the ringworm infection can remain infectious for up to 18 months, so infected hairs can be dangerous for you and your pet for quite a long time ( 3 ). Being a skin infection, ringworm is fairly easy to notice and identify on your pet.
Can a dog still be contagious with ringworm?
Even after a successful treatment of ringworm in dogs, the infection can still have bothersome results for quite a while. It is not rare for animals to be clinically cured and clean, but remain fungal culture positive. In other words, your dog could still be a ringworm carrier and therefore, be contagious to other animals and people.
How do you get rid of ringworm in dogs?
Get a medicated ointment, cream, or shampoo. Another option is a medicated ointment or cream that you apply to ringworm sores on your dog’s coat. Your vet may also recommend a medicated shampoo that you use to bathe your dog twice a week.
What are the effects of ringworm on dogs?
Ringworm Complications in Dogs. In addition to sores and lesions on the skin, ringworm can cause allergies, anemia, inflammation, and even immune system deficiency.
Can I get ringworm from dog?
Ringworm is contagious and can be spread from a dog or cat to a human. Humans can catch ringworm by touching an infected dog or cat (or other animal) with ringworm. Ringworm is transmitted by direct contact with an infected cat or dog’s skin or hair.
Is ringworm harmful to dogs?
Generally, ringworm, although unsightly and annoying, is not a dangerous infection and can be easily treated. If left untreated, however, it can spread over large parts of your dog’s body and compromise the skin and hair coat.
