Ringworm reports close South Ogden dog park

SOUTH OGDEN — Officials have closed a dog park here following complaints that six dogs, all infected with ringworm, had visited the facility.

South Ogden Police Officer Marci Edwards said the park will be closed until further notice because of concerns for the animals.

She also recognized the inherent risk of spreading diseases among dogs in close proximity to one another.

“Any time you get a lot of dogs together in a closed area, the potential is there,” she said.

Edwards also debunked rumors that the police department was looking for the owner of the dog that started the problem in the first place.

“We would refer anyone that has any concerns to their veterinarian,” she said.

A notice posted on a fence at the dog park reads: “The Club Heights Park off-leash area is closed until further notice, due to concerns of health risks to our citizens, patrons, and their pets.”

The veterinarian who initially warned about the six cases of ringworm said he has diagnosed a seventh case.

South Ogden veterinarian Eric Clough said people shouldn’t blame the dog park for the problem, noting that park managers responded as soon as they were aware of the ringworm issue.

“It needs to be emphasized that the dog park itself is not to blame,” Clough said. “Most likely, it was brought in by one of the patrons.”

Clough, who is employed at Burch Creek Animal Hospital, recommended that humans or animals with the fungus seek topical treatments.

Clough defined ringworm as a fungal infection that causes a red, circular lesion that can be itchy.

He said the strain that has been seen is called microsporum canis, which is the most common form of the fungus.

Clough recommended www.petplace.com for more information about ringworm. He said to search for dermatophytosis, ringworm’s official name.

Until the dog park is re-opened, supporters of the South Ogden facility, who run two separate Facebook pages, are encouraging dog owners to visit the Ogden dog park.

Josiel Lopez, a veterinarian at Mountain View Animal Clinic with offices in both South Ogden and Layton, said he has not seen any cases of ringworm at either of his offices.

However, he said the fungus is easily transferred from animal to animal and that pet owners should use caution.

Lopez said he is always warning his clients about communicable diseases.

“They will say that their dog groomer only requires them to vaccinate for rabies,” he said. “That’s because rabies can be transferred to humans.”

He said such policies overlook the fact that many diseases are easily transferred from animal to animal.

Lopez said problems with outbreaks are common in places like animal shelters because animals already are stressed when they enter.

He said such places do their best to keep things clean but a stressed animal may easily pick up an airborne germ and become sick.