Dog Owner’s Guide To Dog Ringworm

Ringworm is a contagious disease that affects your dog’s skin. Although it’s name may suggest so, it isn’t caused by a worm. This skin condition is brought on by a fungus. Let’s take a look at what causes ringworm in canines.

Cause

Various species of fungus can cause ringworm. You should also know that the fungus can easily be passed to other animals. Humans can even be affected by this fungus. You can also pass it on to your dog if you have the condition.

Symptoms

Your dog will begin to show symptoms about two weeks after exposure to the fungus. Hair begins to fall out in a round pattern as the hair shafts become weakened. It’s also common for dogs to develop crusty or scaly skin.

Diagnosis

Using a Wood’s lamp will enable the vet to diagnose ringworm easily. This ultraviolet lamp causes certain species of fungus to glow. It’s also possible to monitor a hair sample for fungal growth. Unfortunately, this method can take several weeks since fungus grows so slowly.

Treatment

There are various treatments for this condition. Antifungal shampoo is one of the most common treatments. You will need to repeat this process 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. Since your dog can easily become reinfected, you also need to treat the environment. You should get rid of his dog or flea collar, grooming utensils, and bedding.

Your precious pet can be susceptible to symptoms of canine illnesses. Fortunately for you, you can learn about a wide range of these conditions at dog-illnesses.com. Click over right now.

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