Ringworm is an infection of the dog’s skin, hair, and nails. Despite the name, the infection is caused by a group of fungi called dermatophytes. These fungi thrive in warm and moist environments, which means they are prominent in outdoor areas.
Fortunately, this skin infection can be managed effectively with prompt diagnosis and treatment. To get started, we’ll tell you all about ringworm in dogs.
What Causes Ringworm in Dogs?
Ringworm in dogs is most commonly caused by Microsporum canis, one of the species of dermatophytes. Dogs can contract these fungi through multiple ways:
Contaminated Soil
Most fungal infections in dogs come from fungi that live in soil, particularly in areas with organic material, such as decomposing leaves or animal waste. This includes dermatophytes. The spores can stay in the environment for extended periods of time. Once your dog has ringworm spores, they can germinate and cause an infection. This can worsen if your dog already has open wounds or other diseases that weaken its immune system.
Other Infected Animals
Ringworm is highly contagious among animals, and dogs can contract the fungi through direct contact with other infected animals. This can be through playing with, sniffing, or grooming. Cats are known carriers of ringworm fungi and can transmit the infection to dogs and other animals. Sometimes, cats might not show visible signs of ringworms, but they can still harbor the fungi and spread it to other pets.
Human Contact
Although not as common as the other modes of transmission, ringworm can be transmitted from humans to dogs. The spores can be transferred through direct contact with dogs or their usual objects, such as bedding and bowls.
Contaminated Objects
Objects can also get contaminated with the fungal spores that cause ringworm in dogs. Bedding that has been in contact with an infected animal can carry fungal spores. Brushes, combs, and other grooming tools can also harbor fungal spores. Other objects include furniture, carpets, rugs, and other household items present in your dog’s home.
What are the Symptoms of Ringworm in Dogs?
The signs of ringworm in dogs generally create noticeable changes in a dog’s behavior and its physical body. Knowing these signs will help you know what to do and how to help your dog.
Circular Patches of Hair Loss. One of the most common signs of ringworm is its signature, round appearance. Look for circular bald patches on your dog’s skin. These spots may be red and inflamed or simply have hair missing.
Itching and Scratching. Ringworm can make the dog’s skin feel itchy and uncomfortable. You might notice your dog biting, licking, or scratching certain areas of its body more frequently.
Scaly or Crusty Skin. The infected areas can appear and feel dry, flaky, or crusty. In some cases, it might look cracked.
Dull and Brittle Coat. Along with dry skin, its coat itself can lose its shine and become brittle. The hair loss might also make it look patchy and uneven.
Skin Inflammation. The skin itself can develop redness, swelling, or tenderness along the lesions. This can be more apparent once the infection has gone on for longer.
How to Diagnose Ringworm in Dogs?
To make sure we get the right treatment option, our vets must make an accurate diagnosis of your dog’s ringworm infection. Here’s a detailed look at the diagnostic methods we will use:
Visual Inspection
Our vets will begin by performing a careful visual inspection of your dog’s skin and fur. We’ll look for characteristic signs of ringworm in your dogs, such as round, hairless patches with red, scaly, or crusty areas.
The appearance of the skin lesions is a huge indicator. A dog’s ringworm infection typically has circular, well-defined patches that might be inflamed or dry. Our vets will also assess the distribution of lesions and check for any other symptoms like itching or inflammation.
Wood’s Lamp Examination
A Wood’s lamp is a diagnostic tool that emits UV light to detect the fungi causing the ringworm infection. These fungi tend to fluoresce or “glow” under the light emitted, allowing our vets to identify the cause. This process will be done in a darkened room so we can check which areas of your dog’s skin have been affected.
While a Wood’s lamp examination can be helpful, not all fungal species will fluoresce under the light. Therefore, while it can provide initial clues, it is often used in conjunction with other diagnostic methods.
Fungal Culture
To confirm the presence of ringworm fungi, our vets may take a sample of your dog’s hair or skin. This sample is usually collected from the edges of the lesions, where fungal growth is most active. The sample will be cultured and checked to see if any fungal spores have grown.
Fungal cultures are one of the most reliable ways to know if your dog has ringworm. However, they can take several weeks to produce results because the fungal cultures need time to grow so that our lab team can accurately identify the fungi.
Microscopic Examination
In addition to fungal culture, our vets may prepare a sample of hair or skin for microscopic examination. By looking closely, we can detect the presence of any fungal elements that could be the cause of ringworm in dogs. Microscopic examination can provide faster results compared to a fungal culture. It helps in identifying fungal structures quickly, although it may not always be as definitive as a fungal culture test.
How to Treat Ringworm in Dogs?
Once we have diagnosed the cause of your dog’s ringworm infection, we can proceed to treatment. The main treatment is comprised of consistent medications, home adjustments, and regular checkups. You can easily find the medicines you’ll need for your dog’s ringworm at our vet pharmacy.
Topical Treatments
Topical treatments are medications you can directly apply to your dog’s skin and fur to target the ringworm infection at its source. These medications can be easily applied by just following the product’s instructions. If you’re at the clinic, we can also help you with how and when to use these products.
Antifungal Shampoos. These shampoos are specially formulated to kill the fungi present on your dog’s skin and fur. They help to clean and disinfect the affected areas. When using these shampoos, be gentle while bathing your dog, especially if the skin is sensitive or inflamed. Avoid getting the shampoo in their eyes or mouth.
Topical Antifungal Creams. Topical antifungal creams are ointments and creams that are used directly on the areas where your dog’s ringworms are visible. It’s essential to apply the cream only to the affected areas and to cover the lesions completely. Be sure to use cones to prevent your dog from licking the product.
Systemic Treatments
Systemic treatments involve oral medications that work from within to eliminate the ringworm infection in your dog. These are typically used for more severe cases or when topical treatments are insufficient. Just like the topical treatments, we’ll also teach you how often to give these medications.
These medications are prescribed to help clear the infection from the inside out and are particularly useful for extensive or persistent cases. This usually comes in the form of a liquid or a pill. When taking oral medications, it’s important to complete the medication schedule we recommend. Missing doses or stopping early can potentially allow the infection to come back.
Home Care
Managing your home is important in preventing re-infection and minimizing the spread of ringworm in your dogs.
Regular cleaning helps remove fungal spores from your dog’s surroundings. This includes items they frequently use and areas they always spend time in. Wash your dog’s bedding, toys, and any other items they come into contact with in hot and soapy water.
Make sure to dry washed items thoroughly, as the moisture can encourage fungal growth. Keep personal items, such as clothing and shoes, away from the infected areas to prevent accidental transfer of spores.
How to Prevent Ringworm in Dogs?
Preventing a ringworm infection in your dog is more helpful than treating one. It saves your dog the trouble of the pain and saves you from the hassle. Here’s what you can do:
Maintain Good Hygiene. Regular bathing with pet-safe products can keep your dog’s coat healthy and protected from fungal infections. A bath every 1 to 2 months should be enough, but this will depend on your dog’s coat and activity level.
Routine Checkups. Regular visits can help us catch any skin issues, such as ringworm, in your dogs. Our preventive care measures cover anything from vaccinations to deworming and other preventive treatments.
Regularly Disinfect Your Home. Keep your home clean and disinfected, especially if ringworm has been a problem in the past. Regularly clean surfaces and vacuum any areas to help reduce the risk of ringworm in your dogs.
When you protect your dog’s skin, you protect their comfort, their happiness, and their smile.
- Dr. Paulina Czerska
Conclusion
While ringworm in dogs is not a highly serious condition, it’s still an infection that can cause some pain and discomfort for our best friends. Prevention is an important part of your dog’s health. Start with regularly bathing your dog and keeping up to date with its checkups.
With early detection, we can keep our dogs from the harmful effects of these fungi and help them stay happy. Our dogs deserve only the best care.
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