Pets And Ringworm | Ringworm Cure Information

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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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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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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Sleeping With Your Pets Can Be Unhealthy, Study Says - CBS Chicago

Kitties like this one may look cute, but they can spread diseases if you allow them on your bed, a new study says.

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CHICAGO (CBS) – Do you let your pet sleep with you? It could be hazardous to your health.

Sound crazy?  A new study says a surprising number of people allow their pets to curl up with them, and it could actually be risky. But are the new findings overblown? What dangers could you face from close contact with your pets?

In a nightly ritual, Chrissy Carew and her five dogs all bunk up together for the night.

“I consider them full-fledged members of our family,” she says.

A new survey shows 56 percent of dog owners in the U.S. let their dogs sleep next to them. But researchers say that could lead to some real problems. 

“Sometimes we forget that they aren’t our children. They are pets and also they have their own life and there are diseases that can be transmitted,” says veterinarian Bruno Chomel of the University of California’s School of Veterinary Medicine.

Chomel is one of the lead authors of the study just published by the Centers for Disease Control. Researchers tracked people who had close contact with their dogs and cats, either sleeping next to their pet or allowing their animal to lick and kiss them.

In rare instances, some caught illnesses like the plague, rabies, antibiotic-resistant infections; meningitis; and cat-scratch fever. Others picked up ringworm and intestinal parasites.

Medical experts say that one of the most important things a pet owner can do is to keep your dog or cat free of fleas. The insects bite and could spread disease.

“You always think it’s never going to happen to me, but when it happens to you it can be very sad and very bad,” Chomel says.

Eric Marlowe Garrison caught a terrible case of ringworm on his foot. The culprit: his roommate’s cat. He says he will change the way he interacts with pets.

“It has certainly taught me a lesson,” Garrison says.

But infectious disease expert Dr. William Schaffner of Vanderbilt University School of Medicine says his cat sleeps with him.   

“Anytime human beings have close associations with animals, including their pets, there’s some risk, but it’s very, very small,” he says.

Indoor cats pose less risk because they don’t come in contact with fleas.

Chrissy Carew makes sure she keeps her dogs very clean and plans to continue to let them in her bed, despite the survey findings. 

People most at risk for catching something from a pet are the elderly, the very young and people with weakened immune systems. If your pet appears sick, limit close physical contact until they are better. Always wash your hands after petting an animal.

Remember that researchers have also found that pets have tremendously positive benefits on people’s health, like reducing stress and anxiety.

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.

How to Recognize and Treat Dog Skin Infections « Whole Life Pets Blog

Your dog’s skin is actually a protective organ – the largest organ in the body.  When this barrier is compromised, the stage is set for infection.  There are three types of organisms that can cause skin infections – bacteria, fungus and yeast.  Often there will be an underlying health issue that sets the stage for skin infections, so be sure to address the primary cause when you treat for a skin disorder or you will find yourself dealing with a chronic problem that continues to return – possibly worse every time.

Underlying conditions can be allergies – particularly to parasites, hormonal imbalances such as hyperthyroidism, immune deficiencies or autoimmune conditions.  Anything that makes your dog itch intensely can set the stage for infection – if they scratch or chew their skin enough bacteria or yeasts can reach the deeper layers of skin and grow out of control – causing more itching and scratching and a vicious cycle begins.  Proper diagnosis is important so you know exactly what you are treating.

Bacterial Infection

Healthy skin is teaming with bacteria; it is only when there is an underlying health issue as discussed above that pathogenic bacteria can take over and cause infection and lesions.  Staph bacteria are the most common organisms found in infected areas of a dog’s skin.  These bacteria are not contagious to you or other pets – they are already present on the skin and only become an issue when things get out of balance.

Symptoms
Typically you will see itchy, yellowish raised areas.  The skin often looks red and irritated around the pustule.  Eventually they erupt and become crusty –  leaving a red, irritated patch of skin beneath.  As the condition progresses you will notice a foul smell and patches of missing fur.

Sores can appear anywhere on the body, but frequently appear first on the trunk – eventually spreading to the legs and neck.  Infection can also set up between the toes or in the ear.

Treatment
Both the external lesions and the internal immune imbalance must be addressed.  Allergies are often the original culprit – so be sure to follow the steps outlined for treating itchy skin: Dogs with Itchy Skin – Why They Itch and How to Help.

1. Healing the external lesions begins with a bath.    Visit your veterinarian for an anti-bacterial shampoo and rinse.


2. After the bath when the fur has dried you will need to trim the hair around every lesion to allow good air circulation.


3. Apply a topical antiseptic such as diluted Apple Cider Vinegar, Povidone Iodine, or my personal favorite – Bee Propolis Tincture mixed with coconut oil.  Treat twice a day until the lesions heal completely and watch for any developing lesions and treat before they erupt.

After the initial healing is complete, keep your pet’s skin in good health with weekly baths using a gentle, soothing shampoo such as colloidal oatmeal or itch-busting tea tree oil shampoo. Contrary to what many pet owners believe, frequent bathing will not dry out your companion’s skin if you use the proper shampoo and rinse.  For dogs with sensitive skin that are prone to infection, a weekly bath can be the one thing that prevents re-infection and the vicious cycle of the itch.

Yeast Infection

Malassezia pachydermatis is a yeast commonly found on the skin and in the ears of dogs. When a dog’s immune system becomes stressed, Malassezia yeast can multiply until it becomes pathogenic in susceptible dogs.

Symptoms
Yeast overgrowth results in itchy, oily, or scaly skin, hair loss, redness or blackening of the skin, thickening of the skin, and an offensive greasy odor.  The ears and skin can both become infected.  The dog may also be lethargic and lack energy.

Treatment
As with bacterial infections, yeast infections must be treated both internally and externally.  An anti-fungal shampoo and rinse (Selsun Blue works) along with a tea tree oil based spray or ointment to treat affected skin are the first step externally.

Internal treatment follows the same course as treatment for candidiasis – which is the same protocol we follow for allergies (see Dogs with Itchy Skin – Why They Itch and How to Help).  Grain-free food is best, and home-made would be ideal.  Invest in a high quality, high potency probiotic supplement as this will be a key component to healing the digestive tract – along with enzymes and essential fatty acids.

In addition to the above, adding anti-fungal herbs such as Olive Leaf Extract and coconut oil – which contains the yeast-killer caprylic acid, to your pet’s regimen will speed the healing process.

Detoxifying herbs are also very helpful and will ease your companion’s healing process.  As the candida organisms in the digestive tract die, they release toxins that can tax a dog’s already compromised immune system.  Herbal support to aid detoxification can hasten healing and keep your companion more comfortable through the process.

Fungal Infections

Ringworm is by far the most common fungal infection in dogs.  There is no actual “worm” involved – it is strictly a fungus.  Ringworm is contagious – both to you and other animals in the household so take precautions when treating your companion.  Don’t let children pet an infected dog until he is completely healed.

Symptoms
Ringworm infection causes circular areas of hair loss, with dry scaly skin in the center and a red ring at the outer edges. Lesions tend to gradually increase in size. In dogs, ringworm is most frequently seen on the face, ears, legs and paws, tail and/or base of the tail. Ringworm does not always cause itching and scratching, but it may.  If left untreated for long, a secondary bacterial infection can invade the irritated skin and cause further problems.

Treatment
Ringworm occurs more often in puppies with undeveloped immune systems and dogs under stress with a compromised immune system, so immune support is an essential part of treatment.

1.  Tea tree oil is effective in treating ringworm, so start with a bath using a tea tree oil shampoo.  Add additional drops off tea tree oil to the shampoo to increase the anti-fungal action.  (Tea Tree Oil should not be used on cats).


2. Rinse the affected areas with Apple Cider Vinegar, which is also anti-fungal.


3. Clip the hair around the lesion(s) and treat them directly with tea tree oil.


4. Support your companion’s immune system with herbal or nutritional remedies such as IMMUNITY by Organic Pet Superfood.

After several days you should notice the patches shrinking and looking more normal.  Once the lesions have completely disappeared, continue to treat for another day or two to prevent any lingering fungal cells from reproducing.

Pets Euthanized: Protesters and their obsession with saving animals

In the spirit of full disclosure, I will admit that I have never had a dog, let alone any pet for that matter. I have mild allergies, mainly to cats, but my mother has a noticeable allergic reaction to both them and dogs, so our house has been pet free. That isn’t to say I don’t envy those with pets, quite the contrary. There is also something to say about those who adopt abandoned animals, shelter pets who have been abused previously. It is one of the reason I respect Mark Levin, a man who’s done a lot to support animal shelters, even adopting abandoned pets himself. I recommend animal lovers give his Pet Corner a look as it contains moving tales about pet adoptions, along with stories from people who have lost their furry family members. With that said, I am not here to write a post to support the protesters in Newmarket, Ontario. This from CTV Toronto.

Police have issued tickets to two activists protesting the killing of hundreds of ringworm-infected animals at the York Region SPCA.

The protestors, who were detained and released after each received a $ 55 ticket for trespassing on Wednesday afternoon, returned to a crowd of dozens picketing outside the Newmarket, Ont. facility where officials have not been able to contain a ringworm outbreak among more than 300 cats and dogs.

Ringworm is a highly contagious fungal infection that is easily spread to humans. Six shelter workers have contracted ringworm and, in one instance, the infection has been passed on to a family.

CTV Toronto’s Andria Case reported that 48 cats and two dogs have been put down so far.

OSPCA officials say that only the animals with the most severe cases are being put down, and it could take months before the outbreak is contained, Case reported.

In fact, officials aren’t even sure if ringworm is the only illness afflicting the animals.

Still, protesters said that the OSPCA isn’t doing enough…

If you want to read the rest of the story, click the link above. Despite the claims of protesters, ringworm isn’t athlete’s foot. While both are a fungus, the former is fairly painful and can be very difficult to treat. Aside from the fact that the pets that have been euthanized are also suffering from other diseases, the Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (OSPCA) doesn’t have the funds or facilities to handle the treatment of more than three hundred pets that are infected. Let’s not forget that ringworm is passed easily from pet to pet, as well as from pet to human, so euthanizing these infected animals seems the best course of action in dealing with this problem. Am I wrong? Maybe it is because I don’t have my own dog or cat, but I find myself supporting the OSPCA in this matter.

Instead of listening to the misguided pleas of protesters who have their hearts, but not their heads, in the right place, why not examine the facts.

UPDATE: Television host and conservative commentator Michael Coren weighs in on this issue. While I will disagree with Coren on a few things, I can’t disagree with what he points out in this post, that activists seem to care more about animals than humans. While pets are treated as full members of the family, the fact that they are animals and not humans seems to be ignored, especially by animal rights activists like People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA). Give the post a read, it is very good. I also recommend reading the exchange between Coren and an animal rights activist who quotes Mahatma Gandhi, stating that societies are judged by how they treat animals. Michael responds by pointing out that Gandhi wasn’t the moral figure many people portray him as, and not only did his action cause significant civil unrest, but that Gandhi himself was known for taking women other than his wife to bed. Is it any surprise that Gandhi’s view of women was so twisted knowing how he treated them as sexual objects? Couldn’t have said it better myself Coren. Perfect…

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Pets Best Rx: Dog Ringworm Pictures

What is ringworm?

Contrary to its name, ringworm is not a worm but a fungus called dermatophytes. Dermaphtytes means “plants that live on the skin. In the past, because of circular wounds made by the fungus believed to be caused by worms, where moth.
Sponges living on the skin and nourish the skin follicles of dead skin and hair.
There are three different types of fungus that can cause ringworm, but most of them can be found in dogs and cats, Microsporum .   Below are pictures of ringworm in dogs pets.                                                                  

This page contains dog ringworm pictures and a brief information about this infection. Is dog ringworm pictures the same with red mange photos?
How to catch a dog ringworm
Transmission may occur directly from contact with another infected animal or human. It can infect dogs, cats and vice versa, and pets to humans, animals and people.
Fungal spores can persist in the environment over a long period and can be found in carpets, bedding, grooming equipment, etc., and can infect your dog when he comes in contact with them.
The incubation period is 10-12 days. This means that exposure to the fungus, about 10-12 days will pass before the lesions were present in
Are all dogs are susceptible to ringworm?
healthy adult dogs usually have a resistance to ringworm. Young dogs and puppies are more susceptible because their immune system has not fully developed. Many dogs are carriers of ringworm, but have no symptoms. They may, however, infect other animals or humans.

More Dog Ringworm Pictures

The above photos are sample of  dog ringworm pictures. It may be hard to imagine, but ringworm is one of the few diseases that can affect both humans and animals. While some animals seem to have some sort of immunity to these fungi, protected animals are lost. Therefore, if a cat or dog is in contact with a sick animal, or even infectious to humans, are a problem. Pay close attention, because it affects the animals much worse than it is for men: they tend to lose their hair or fur, which can only lead to more problems.

Dog Ringworm Pictures Can be a Help or Guide to know if your Pet Dog has Ringworm

There is a non toxic cure for pet ringworm. PetsBestRx products are highly effective in eliminating ringworm in pets quickly and safely. Many people ask, “how long does it take to get rid of ringworm”? The answer is simple…. In 3 to 5 days! PetsBestRx has antifungal and ringworm lotions to respond to every skin type and each type of pet!

-Dog Ringworm Pictures.

OSPCA euthanizes 350 pets: Newmarket

More than 350 animals will be euthanized at the Newmarket OSPCA because of a ringworm epidemic, angering animal advocates who argue the pets’ lives could be saved.

Officials with the Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals said protocols broke down and led to the rapid spread of ringworm among the shelter’s animals; as a result, one staff member has reportedly been fired.

The shelter began putting the animals down on Tuesday as protesters gathered outside.

Ringworm is a highly contagious fugal infection and the infestation requires drastic action, according to Rosaline Ryan, a spokeswoman for the OSPCA.

“In this shelter, where animals live in close proximity, the extent to which it has reached the animal population and the aggressive strain of this particular ringworm has us looking at it as an epidemic,” Ms. Ryan said.

The infection has already spread to six staff members at the shelter so the decision to euthanize the animals has led to more general concerns. “It’s a public safety concern for us so we have shut down the shelter and the vets who make medical decisions have decided that euthanasia is the best approach,” she said.

Staff have unsuccessfully attempted to eliminate the infection, according to reports.  Dogs and cats will be the main victims but all other animals within the shelter — except turtles — are going to be put down. The Newmarket branch of the shelter will remain closed until further notice.

Ringworm is a fungal infection that can also affect humans.Media reports say security guards have been posted at the site to prevent anyone from trying to rescue the animals. All adoption and foster services are unavailable until the premises have been thoroughly cleansed and sanitized of ringworm.

Bob Hambley, president of the beleaguered Toronto Humane Society, released a statement criticizing the shelter’s decision to put the animals down, arguing the epidemic is indeed treatable:

“This type of action to respond to a treatable condition such as ringworm is unprecedented. The OSPCA is taking the easy solution rather than working to save animals lives.

The OSPCA needs to reconsider this solution and consult with outside experts to look at treatment alternatives to save these animals lives.”