Pet Ringworm Causes, Treatments | Diagnose Ringworm Infection in Pets

Pet ringworm, as the name suggests, might cause most people to believe that it is caused due to worms. However, it is the result of a fungus. Ringworm is a common disease which is not restricted to human beings but even animals. It is most often seen in cats but also frequently seen in rabbits, dogs, chinchillas and hedgehogs. In fact all mammals are susceptible to it. In humans, it generally results in the reddening and inflammation of the affected area and is in the form of a ring. In case of pets, it may not always be the same. In fact some pets may be silent carriers of the disease without showing any symptoms and spreading it to others. Pet ringworm is caused as a result of 3 fungi. They are:

• Microsporum canis


• Microsporum gypseum


• Trichophyton mentagrophytes

Almost all the cases of ringworm in cats and dogs are caused by the fungus microsporum canis. Ringworm causes severe itching and can also result in the pet losing tremendous amount of hair. Pet ringworm results in baldness in patches especially on the paws, ears or the back. It may also be seen on your dog’s face and tail. Normally the symptoms are circular patches of broken hair in the form of circles which grow darker than normal hair. There is a high possibility that people interacting with the infected pets might get infected too. Hence, proper precautions and treatment is a must.

The easiest way to diagnose ringworm is through the Woods lamp also known as ultraviolet lamps. In this case, almost 50% of the microsporum canis species will become fluorescent under the light of the Woods lamp. Children are more prone to get infected with ringworm hence to prevent it from spreading it is advised that you trim your pets’ hair, especially around the bald spots. Also, it is essential to wear gloves while treating them or playing with them. The vacuum cleaner bag also needs to be changed every time after it is used. A regular visit to the veteran is a must where you can get more tips on pet health care. It is also important to keep yourself updated with the various pet health information and pet health issues. It is recommended that every time you get a new pet you take them to the vet in order to check if they are infected with ringworm.

Ringworm Causes | Ringworm Cure Information

The stages of ringworm are slightly different in appearance depending on where the infection is on the body.  A ringworm infection on the scalp may not look like a ringworm infection on the skin.  However, it is important to known the symptoms so that if you recognize one, you can find a ringworm cure and start treatment immediately.

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Ringworm infections are not dangerous or threatening but can be very irritating if not dealt with swiftly.  If you are able to identify the infection in the early stages, you can start applying a topical cure for ringworm and it will more than likely dissipate within 1-2 weeks.  Although some infections can last longer, you can minimize the severity of the infection if you are able to identify the issue as soon as possible.

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Hi Readers,

Just wanted to share an excellent comment/testimonial from a reader of ours.  Her dog got a nasty ringworm infection and they had to battle through a couple of solutions before finding the proper ringworm treatment.  Thanks for sharing Corinne!

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- Ringworm in dogs is most regularly found in puppies and younger dogs since they spend more time rolling around, playing and getting into higher risk situations.

- Ringworm infections can be spread by the spores of soil and/or contact with the infected hair of dogs.  Usually the type found on brushes, combs, toys, carpet and furniture.

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Although most ringworm infections are commonly found in areas of the body where the skin is fairly flat and open to exposure, ringworm can affect any portion of the human skin. Being that ringworm is caused by a fungus, and fungi are very resilient and hardy little organisms, any portion of skin that comes into contact with these fungal agents is at risk. Applying a ringworm treatment the moment you suspect an infection will not only minimize the chances of the infection getting worse but also of you spreading it to others.

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The two are somewhat similar but have one major difference.  Both infection types are fungal and at their root are fungi, not the bacteria or viruses that cause other infections.  Ringworm is part of a larger group of fungal agents call dermatophytes.  Generally speaking, a dermatophyte is simply a type of fungi that can cause skin, hair, or nail infections.  Whereas candida is a yeast which has fungi that can cause infections on many areas of the body.

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David Gruby is considered the founder of medical microbiology.  He was the son of a poor Jewish peasant in a village at Baczka, a fertile district of southern Hungary and grew up in the mid 1700′s.  Long before anyone knew anything about a ringworm treatment or the nature of the infection, Dr. Gruby isolated and defined what a ringworm infection is…

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Ringworm infections can manifest themselves in different places on the body.  Tinea capitis is the scientific name for ringworm on the scalp.  This is a very common condition in children, especially ages 3 to 7 and the parents should not be concerned about future health difficulties related to this infection.  There are plenty of ringworm remedy options that can be used for quick resolution.

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Ringworm produces a classic, round rash on babies too.  The rash is generally reddish with a rough, scaly border; the center may be clear.  The rash is usually half an inch to an inch wide, but may grow.  It might be itchy.  Some types of eczema can look exactly like ringworm, especially in babies.  If you notice an odd rash on your baby and don’t know what it is, don’t be afraid to ask your doctor before you start to assume what it is and go out and buy a ringworm cure.

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Classic symptoms of ringworm in cats include skin lesions that typically appear on the head, ears and forelimbs. Ringworm can cause flaky bald patches that sometimes look red in the center. In mild cases, there may be localized areas of redness or simply dandruff, while more severe infections can spread over a cat’s entire body. It’s also possible for a pet to carry ringworm spores and not show any symptoms whatsoever.

A cat can get ringworm directly through contact with an infected animal-or indirectly through contact with bedding, dishes and other materials that have been contaminated with the skin cells or hairs of infected animals. Ringworm spores are notoriously hardy and can survive in the environment for more than a year. And by the way, we are talking about domestic cats not the napping leopard in the image above!

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What are the Causes of Ringworm in Dogs

Ringworm has derived its identity by the misnomer, that it is an infection caused due to a worm masquerading under the epidermis layer. However, as mentioned, it is a false notion that leads to highlighting the actual definition of ringworm. Ringworm or dermatophytosis is an infection caused due to the infestation of various types of fungi hampering the hair or the hair follicles of the skin. Ringworm may be predominantly seen in animals and may be transmitted from an infected animal to another. Animals are known to carry the fungal transcriber and pass it on to their owners or other animals. Cats and dogs are generally the potent convicts of ringworm.

Causes of Ringworm in Dogs

According to a research conducted with reference to the type of fungi that affect the hair follicles.

• Microsporum canis is one type of fungus which is found predominantly in cats and has the potential to be transferred through contact to other animals as well.


• Trichophyton mentagrophytes; a fungus type that is found in dogs and is transferable in nature.


• Another fungus type that hails from the same family tree is called Microsporum gypseum. This infestation is burrowed in soil. So when you see your little dog or your very own cat digging into the soil to find a bone-y treat for itself, don’t neglect its endeavors and instantly retract them from doing so. It may perhaps dig out a cause of worry in the form of developing ringworm and becoming a communicator of the same.

Methods to Diagnose the Cause of Ringworm

Evaluating and diagnosing which type of fungus is the prime factor in causing ringworm in dogs becomes a critical study. However, there are three methods in which the cause of ringworm can be revealed. Dermatophytosis can be identified by methods such as:

• Woods Lamp; where an ultraviolet source of light is passed through the dog’s skin.


• Fungassay Test/Fungal Culture; a test where a culture of the dog’s hair follicle is considered and is observed for a stipulated period for any traces of the infection.


• It can also be diagnosed by the loss of hair in patches, especially from the area near the ear, the paws and the eye circle and showing visible ringworm symptoms in dogs.

Symptoms of Ringworm

Your dog is suffering from ringworm if you notice:

• Patchy skin; rough and scaly.


• Hair loss from specific areas.


• Hair loss in patches that form dents exposing the skin surface.


• Onset of follicles being infected and developing into pustules and cysts.


• Excessive itching with papules developing on the skin; they appear in the form of lumps.


• Redness around the skin lump or lesion.

Ringworm Treatment for Dogs

• Taking your dog to a vet may prove helpful. It is better if you take up the case in neonatal stages rather than neglecting it and letting the infection manifest on other animals and even family members.


• The vet may pull out hair from the root to check and rule out the possibility of countering any other skin condition. He would either prescribe an antifungal cream; preferably one that is absorbed instantly by the skin which further seeps into the affected area extricating the infection.


• You may be asked to shave off the dog’s hair. You may not like this proposition, especially when your dog’s hair is a great asset to his personality, however it is an effective method to counter ringworm.


• Using antifungal shampoos to bathe your dog works well. You may leave the shampoo on the dogs coat for a few minutes and then scrub it off. The mechanism of this shampoo is very similar to shampoos that are specifically formulated for human usage when they counter lice.


• Make sure that you wash off the blankets and other linen that may have come in contact with your pet. Vacuum clean the carpets and upholstery, so that there are no traces of hair or spores swimming in the environment.

The best way to prevent the spread of ringworm is to keep your dog isolated from areas of the house, predominantly frequented by family members. Maintain dog hygiene by giving him a statutory bath and brushing his coat as and when. Keep children away and do not allow them to play with pets until they are thoroughly disinfected. The disinfection process with these treatment methods may take two to three weeks.

Ringworm (Tinea) Treatment, Pictures, Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis - MedicineNet

Ringworm
(Tinea)

Medical Author:

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, is a U.S. board-certified Anatomic Pathologist with subspecialty training in the fields of Experimental and Molecular Pathology. Dr. Stöppler’s educational background includes a BA with Highest Distinction from the University of Virginia and an MD from the University of North Carolina. She completed residency training in Anatomic Pathology at Georgetown University followed by subspecialty fellowship training in molecular diagnostics and experimental pathology.

Medical Editor:

William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR

William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR

Dr. Shiel received a Bachelor of Science degree with honors from the University of Notre Dame. There he was involved in research in radiation biology and received the Huisking Scholarship. After graduating from St. Louis University School of Medicine, he completed his Internal Medicine residency and Rheumatology fellowship at the University of California, Irvine. He is board-certified in Internal Medicine and Rheumatology.

Ringworm facts

• Ringworm is a common fungal infection of the skin and is not due to a worm.



• The medical term for ringworm is tinea. The condition is further named for the site of the body where the infection occurs.



• Ringworm causes a scaly, crusted
  hot flashes,
  rash that may
  hot flashes,
  itch.



• Ringworm can be successfully treated with antifungal medications used either topically or orally.

What does the term ringworm mean?

The term ringworm or ringworms refers to fungal infections that are on the surface of the skin. The name is derived from the early belief that the infection was due to a worm, which it is not. Ringworm is a fungal infection in the skin. Nevertheless, the name ringworm remains. Some of these fungi produce round spots on the skin, but many do not. On the other hand, many round, red spots on the skin are not due to a fungal infection. A physical examination of the affected skin, evaluation of skin scrapings under the microscope, and culture tests can help doctors make the appropriate distinctions. A proper diagnosis is essential to successful treatment.

The medical term for ringworm is tinea. (Tinea is the Latin name for a growing worm.) Doctors add another word to indicate where the fungus is located.
Tinea capitis, for instance, refers to scalp ringworm, tinea corporis to fungus of the body,
tinea pedis to fungus of the feet, and so on.

Is ringworm contagious?

Ringworm occurs in people of all ages, but it is particularly common in children. Ringworm is contagious and can be passed from person to person by contact with infected skin areas or by sharing combs and brushes, other personal care items, or clothing. It is also possible become infected with ringworm after coming in contact with locker room or pool surfaces. The infection can also affect dogs and cats,
and pets may transmit the infection to humans. It is common to have several areas of ringworm at once in different body areas.

What does ringworm look like?

Reviewed by William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR on 3/16/2012

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