Ringworm And Dog Health : Essential Caring For Your Dog Information

Does your pet dog have ringworm? Healthy dogs can get ringworm, so don’t feel guilty if your pet has this skin disorder. And don’t panic, because ringworm is not an actual worm.

What Ringworm Is And What It Isn’t
Ringworm is a fungal condition characterized by circular lesions on the skin of your pet. Because the lesions were round, people used to believe that a ringworm lesion was a round worm, curled up beneath the surface of the dog’s skin. Nothing could be further from the truth.

Ringworm is a fungus, not a worm. The ringworm fungi live in the dog’s hair follicles and break the hair shafts off at the surface of the skin. If ringworm affects your dog’s health, you will notice your pet losing large amounts of hair. Eventually, this shedding leaves bald spots on your dog’s body.

Otherwise healthy dogs with ringworm can transmit the fungus to humans, so it is vital to treat ringworm promptly. Your vet will diagnose ringworm by examining your dog’s lesion, examining your dog’s hair under a special light, or taking a culture of the dog’s hair.

Test results from a culture can take several weeks to complete, so for the sake of your dog’s health, ringworm treatments may start before the results come back from the lab.

How Your Healthy Dog Got Ringworm In The First Place
Simply speaking, your healthy pet can get ringworm from any other dog, cat or human who has the fungus. Ringworm is usually transmitted from one infected individual to one uninfected individual. But, ringworm can also be transferred by spores of the fungus, which may live in carpeting or bedding for up to six months.

Treat Your Dog’s Ringworm And Restore Healthy Skin
The great news about ringworm in dogs is that it is simple to treat.

Your veterinarian may prescribe oral medication for your pet that will clear up the infection from the inside out. Most dogs will take pills if they are hidden in a bite of cheese, lunchmeat, or some other special treat. Be sure to ask your vet about any side effects your pet could have to oral medication.

Your pet might also need antifungal cream that you apply directly to the ringworm lesions. Your dog’s health should fully return within about two weeks of treatment.

For a healthy, strong relationship between a dog and its owner it is essential that the pet is properly house trained. Check out these articles for help and advice on this topic.