RINGWORMS IN DOGS & CATS JUST LIKE PEOPLE

RINGWORMS IN DOGS & CATS:

Ringworm (Dermatophytosis)  is a fungal infection that affect the hair follicles and skin. Ringworm  in dogs is a primarily a disease in puppies and young adults. The typical area of infection are the face, ears, paws and tail. Humans can catch ringworm from pets and vice versa. Childrens are most susceptible due to the close contact with the infective pet while playing with them.

Ringworm takes its name from it’s appearance, a spreading circle of hair loss with scaly skin at the center and a red ring at the periphery. Ringworm by itself is not an itchy skin condition, but secondary bacterial infection with scabs and crusts can provoke licking and scratching.

DIAGNOSIS:

Ringworm mimics many other skin diseases, so an accurate diagnosis is essential. Hair infected with the ringworm fungal (Microsporum canis)  may fluoresce green under an ultraviolet light but false positive and false negative results are common. Microcopic examination of hairs plucked from the area that fluoresce can sometimes provide an immediate diagnosis, but the most reliable method of diagnosing ringworm is by fungal culture.

TREATMENT:

Ringworm infections usually clear without treatment, but medicated shampoos might speed recovery in some cases. To avoid ringworm infection in yourself and members of your family, you will need to clean all grooming tools and play toys that can be wipe off with one part of bleach to ten parts water. The pet,s bedding and washable toys needs to be machine washed in hot or warm water. There is a vaccine for cats for ringworm but nothing for dogs at is time.

Quote of the day:

Do not let what you cannot do interfere with what you can do.

John Wooden