Ringworm in Pet Dogs and Cats

If your dogs or cat has developed patches in its fur and seems to be scratching or biting at its skin, it may be suffering from ringworm. But, in many instances, you may discover that your pet is suffering from this condition because small, round red patches have started to appear on your skin or the skin of another person that lives in your house.

Ringworm is highly transferable from animals to humans and humans can only get rid of the condition completely once they have completely treated the pet that infected them. The house will need to be treated as well as ringworm spreads fast and clothing, furniture and bedding are all likely contaminated.

One of the first things it is necessary to understand about ringworm is that, despite the name, the condition is not caused by a worm or a parasite. Ringworm is instead caused by a fungus called Dermatophytosis.

There are three types of fungi which can cause ringworm. These include:

Microsporum canis–this type of fungi is almost always seen in cats-especially long haired cats.
Microsporum gypseum–this type is usually found on dogs and cats that dig in contaminated soil.
Trichophyton mentagrophytes–this type of fungi is seen on dogs and cats that are around rodents or the burrows in which rodents live.
There are several options for treating ringworm in pets including:

Topical anti-fungal shampoos–this is the most common type of treatment
Anti-fungal creams–these are usually only prescribed if the pet has large areas of baldness.
Oral anti-fungal medications–this medication is typically only given out in very severe ringworm cases as they have a number of serious side effects.
It is important to treat ringworm outbreaks fast as they will become increasingly difficult to eliminate with time.

To find out more about ringworm in dogs and cats, visit the website of your Austin vet clinic today.

James Witherspoon