Throughout their lives, many dogs develop skin infections such as ringworm. Dogs who are active and spend a lot of time outdoors, or dogs that come into contact with other pets infected with ringworm, such as cats, are most susceptible to this disease. In addition to causing discomfort and quite dangerous for dogs, ringworm is also easily transmitted to humans. To prevent this disease from spreading to humans, as well as to maintain the health of your pet, you should watch out for signs of ringworm in dogs and seek veterinary help to prevent its spread.
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Method 1 of 3: Recognizing Ringworm
Step 1. Watch for itching, signs of irritation, or bites on the dog's body
These are some of the early symptoms of ringworm. In addition, the appearance of these symptoms is also a sign that you need to check the condition of the dog.
Step 2. Pay close attention to the dog's skin
If you suspect your dog has a skin infection, start by examining the entire body that is suspected to be infected. Part the dog's fur so you can see the skin clearly. Pay attention to all the itchy areas, as well as areas that are often infected such as the dog's head, ears, and front paws.
To reduce the risk of spreading infection, you should also wash your hands after handling any animal suspected of being infected with ringworm
Step 3. Look for areas of skin that are bald due to hair loss
This section is generally located on the head, ears, paws, and front paws of dogs. Is baldness in dogs circular? Are the edges bright red? If the answer to both of these questions is yes, the dog is most likely infected with ringworm.
Step 4. Watch the infected area for a few days
Observe any areas of the dog's skin that are infected or irritated. You may not be sure that ringworm is the cause, so continue your observation and keep an eye on your dog's condition.
- Separating the dog from other animals while considering possible illnesses may be the right move. So, keep the dog away from other animals and put it in a room that is not equipped with many household appliances. This will make it easier for you to vacuum the room and reduce the risk of contamination. If it is confirmed that your dog is infected with ringworm, separating him from other animals will go a long way in reducing the spread and risk of transmitting the infection to other animals.
- Watch for any sores on the dog's skin that resemble insect bites or regular skin rashes that aren't circular in shape. This could be a sign of another disease, such as an allergic reaction, that requires different treatment from ringworm. Ringworm infections are often caused by a weakened immune system, while skin rashes can be caused by an over-responsive immune response.
Step 5. Watch for the appearance of inflammation on the skin
If the skin lesions are enlarged and increasingly inflamed, and are still circular in shape, this is most likely caused by ringworm. You should take your dog to the vet and use antifungal medication to treat it.
Method 2 of 3: Confirming Ringworm in Dogs
Step 1. Take the dog to the vet
The first thing you should do if you suspect your dog has ringworm is to get him checked by a veterinarian. A veterinarian can confirm a ringworm infection through various examinations and then treat it.
Step 2. Understand the veterinary examination using a Wood's lamp
The Wood lamp is a special lamp equipped with an ultraviolet light bulb and a magnifying lens. The lamp will be turned on and the bulb left for 10 minutes to warm up. The animal will be examined under Wood's lamp in a dark room, and its response will be observed through a magnifying lens.
- Some species of ringworm will emit an apple-green fluorescent light when exposed to ultraviolet light. If this happens, then your dog is infected with ringworm.
- Your veterinarian may re-examine their findings by examining the ringworm species in a laboratory.
- Be aware that only about 50% of ringworm species will emit this kind of fluorescent light. So, in other words, a negative result on a Wood's lamp does not mean your dog is free of ringworm. This test is a useful way of getting a positive result quickly, but it cannot be sure that your dog is free of ringworm.
Step 3. Understand what the vet examines a dog's hair follicles under a microscope
Another way that veterinarians use to get a quick test result is to pluck the hairs off the edges of the infected area and examine it under a microscope. With high magnification, the doctor may be able to see fungal spores wrapped around the dog's hair shaft, confirming a ringworm infection.
Step 4. Understand that your veterinarian should grow a fungal culture if other methods don't work
Fungal culture will give a definite answer. To do this, the vet will use a sterile brush (such as a sterile toothbrush) and rub it over the infected area. The brush head is then pressed over the mushroom culture medium. This media is then tightly closed and stored to see any fungal growth.
- Many veterinarians check for discoloration of fungal culture media in their clinics. The results of this examination can confirm the presence of ringworm in dogs.
- The average time it takes for the fungus to grow and change the color of the medium is 4-5 days. However, the results of the examination were not declared negative before 2 weeks had passed without any change in the color of the media.
Step 5. Treat ringworm
If your dog is found to be infected with ringworm, your vet will likely prescribe an antifungal medication. During treatment, separate the dog from other animals, because this disease can still be transmitted to other animals and even to humans.
To make sure your dog doesn't swallow the medicated cream, put a funnel on the dog during treatment
Method 3 of 3: Understanding Ringworm
Step 1. Understand that ringworm is a fungal infection
Ringworm is not an infection caused by worms or insect larvae. This disease is caused by two species of fungi, namely microsporum and trichophyton. This information will help you understand how ringworm is transmitted and how to recognize the symptoms.
Step 2. Know the appearance of ringworm
Ringworm often forms circular marks on the surface of the skin. In the early stages of infection, this sign may be difficult to see and may only appear as hair loss. This is caused by a fungus that grows on the hair shaft, the animal's body will then reject the damaged fur and eventually fall out. Irritation of the skin can cause itching, and even if not scratched, ringworm can cause hair loss on the infected area.
Step 3. Know how ringworm is transmitted to dogs
One of the main factors that play a role in ringworm infection is the dog's immune system. Ringworm most commonly affects older puppies and dogs, although it can also affect animals with weak immune systems. Dogs that are under stress or on certain medications are also prone to ringworm. This is because the immune system is able to control the normal flora and fauna that grow on the skin. However, if the immune system is unable to fight off the fungus, it can grow out of control and cause a skin infection.
- While the fungus that causes ringworm is common, contact with concentrated fungal spores can increase the chance of infection. Concentrated fungal spores are only found in other infected animals. If your dog is healthy but infected with ringworm, this is likely due to contact with another animal infected with ringworm.
- Ringworm is highly contagious, and infected and shed hair is a major source of transmission to humans and other animals. To prevent the spread of ringworm, separate sick animals and remove any loose hair before other animals enter the same room.
Warning
- Ringworm is contagious to humans and other animals. If you suspect your pet has ringworm, wash your hands with soap after touching it and keep the infected animal away from other animals and children.
- In healthy adults, ringworm is annoying, but easy to treat. However, the disease is much more serious in infants or seniors with weak immune systems, cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy, or people with other conditions that affect the immune system.
