RingWorms in Dogs -Symptoms

Adapted From :- http://www.healthypets.in/

Today's Tips :- RingWorms in Dogs -Symptoms




Ringworm is a fungal skin infection that affects both humans and animals. In particular, pets like dogs and cats are potential sources of ringworm. For ringworm treatment to be effective, you must also consider having your pets examined and treated by a veterinarian.



In most cases, ringworm infection comes from another person rather than from animals. When ringworm is transmitted from pets to humans, the infection is said to be "zoonotic" and and in over 30% of households where a pet has ringworm, at least one person will get it. Children are the most commonly infected, although it is possible for a child to catch the infection at school and infect the household dog or cat.


what are the symptoms of ringworms in dogs?

Unlike cats, almost all dogs invariably show the classic symptoms of ringworm: a small round lesion that is free of hair (The fungi live in hair follicles and cause the hair shafts to break off at the skin line). The lesion will often have crusty, scaly skin in the center. The lesion may start as a small spot, often affecting the head, but may also occur in the legs, feet or tail. The lesion may or may not be irritated and/or itching. As the ringworm fungi multiply, the lesion will become irregularly-shaped and can spread to other parts of the body.



The incubation period of the ringworm fungi is 10-12 days. Thus, you can expect for 10-12 day to pass before any lesion becomes visible. Fortnately, most healthy adult dogs are often immune to ringworm. The most vulnerable are puppies and dogs with lowered immunity.


How is ringworm in dogs diagnosed?

Before prescribing ringworm treatment, the vet will diagnose the presence of ringworm by one or a combination of these methods:


1. Visual identification of the typical ringworm lesions.


2. The Wood's Lamp method - this is a popular method of detection, although generally considered to be not very accurate since only 4 species of ringworm-causing fungi actually glow (flouresce) when examined under a black light (wood's lamp).


3. Culture test - considered to be the most accurate method of diagnosis, in which collected scales and crust from the lesion are incubated in special medium to allow the fungi (if any) to grow and become visible in the microscope.As advised, elsewhere, to prevent reinfection in humans, dogs (and other pets) suspected of being infected, must also undergo medication. A number of conventional methods can be used (primarily the use of the traditional agent Griseofulvin) although alternative and safer methods, like natural ringworm treatment are now available to pet owners everywhere.