Ringworm is an annoying, highly contagious fungal disorder that is curable. The problem with this disorder is that there are 35 different species of ringworm that can affect cats, dogs and be transmitted to humans as well. The most common form is Mircosporum Canis which accounts for the majority of ringworm cases.
What Causes Ringworm in Canines?
Ringworm is caused from exposure to the dermatophytes from spores present in the environment, mainly from other animals that are infected with it. Your dog could pick it up from anywhere...boarding kennels, breeding kennels, someone else's home. The spores can live in the environment for up to 13 months and are very hard to get rid of, so reinfection of animals is also a common problem. As well, children are highly susceptible to these infections, so it is very important to rid the household of this fungus as soon as possible.
This disorder usually appears as a lesion upon the skin of an animal or human and requires medical attention. It looks like a rapidly growing circular patch of broken hair in most cases. The patch may look somewhat inflamed and appear to have "dandruff" like flakes on it. However, sometimes it is very hard to spot ringworm, especially in dogs.
A veterinarian can usually diagnose ringworm by using an ultraviolet light. In some cases however, this isn't enough and a sample of hair or scrapping of the skin is needed for further diagnosis. Treatment is basically in the form of antifungal pills and/or topical medications such as creams or medicated shampoos.
Curing Ringworm In Dogs
The major problem is getting rid of the spores in your home so they don't reinfect your pets. Most spores are shed through the fur into the carpet, so occasional "dip" baths may be required to kill the spores that may linger on the fur of your dog. As well, it is recommended that you destroy all pet bedding, blankets, brushes/combs, and other items used by the canine.
Any items that cannot be thrown out need to be soaked thoroughly in a solution of hot water and Betadine or Iodophor for one hour. They should then be rinsed in a mixture of water and .5% chlorine bleach. Drying the items outdoors in sunlight will also help. Vacuum your house thoroughly and be sure to immediately dispose of the vacuum bag. Then have all carpets and upholstery steam-cleaned and wash all walls with a mixture of water and chlorine bleach. If you have an air filter in your home, you must also dispose of the filter.
Although ringworm is a mild disorder, it can cause a tremendous amount of problems to a household. If you continue to have problems with canine ringworm reinfection, please consult your veterinarian for additional solutions or information that he/she may be able to provide.
Rose Smith is the author and owner of Caring For Canines, a web site that provides information on natural dog health care. To learn more about dog skin problems, care and grooming, please visit us at: http://www.caringforcanines.com/grooming-aids.shtml
maid service near Mundelein ..If you thought dog noses were just a source of... Read More
If your feline friend could speak your language, here a... Read More
Whether purely for looks or for a bird's home, bird... Read More
'Help, my cat is pregnant and I don't know what... Read More
Because your dog lives with humans, he's going to have... Read More
Part1: There is Actually a "Wrong" Way to Crate TrainCrate... Read More
Top five dog breeds for homes with children* Beagle *... Read More
On the surface playing Frisbee with your dog may seem... Read More
Having a boxer dog as a pet, although low-maintenance, require... Read More
Whether you are searching for something to say "Happy Birthday"... Read More
It is hard to get an early diagnosis of lyme... Read More
Training your dog to "sit" is probably the first thing... Read More
"Doggy breath" ? that unpleasant odor emanating from the mouths... Read More
Most pet owners have become very educated about their pet... Read More
The 10 Greatest Puppy Training Tips of All Time According... Read More
Still remember that very moment when you first laid your... Read More
What kind of materials should you use when constructing a... Read More
Puppy TrainingPuppy training can be a trying time. The key... Read More
When I carried him home, he was this tiny little... Read More
Over the last 15 years, I have raised nine orphaned... Read More
In part one we talked about forming good behavior traits... Read More
Studies have shown that regularly petting a dog brings a... Read More
1. Accidents and medical emergencies in the home happen frequently.... Read More
Toys are fun both for our dogs and us. Lucky... Read More
Ringworm is an annoying, highly contagious fungal disorder that is... Read More
high-end home cleaning Bannockburn ..Many people don't realize that their dogs, just like human... Read More
A poorly trained dog can embarrass its owner and offend... Read More
Dogs should be living to age 20 or more. That's... Read More
Our pets depend on us for their every need, including... Read More
Kittens communicate in a very distinct way. Did you know... Read More
Dog DoorsWhen we think of dog doors, we think of... Read More
Gain some insight into how your favorite feline actually feels... Read More
You can look at westhighland terriers and know if it... Read More
Have you ever thought about what you need to do... Read More
While "late is better than never," sooner is better than... Read More
Selling a HorseThe best new tool for people selling horses... Read More
Potty Training Your Puppy:Make sure you feed your dog at... Read More
Dear Fellow Dog Lover,I assume you love your dog, or... Read More
So you're getting a Rottweiler puppy? Here are some general... Read More
In part one we talked about forming good behavior traits... Read More
Just as humans allergies can show up as a sneeze... Read More
Almost all communities in the U.S. require at least one... Read More
Cats are known for their curious and adventurous nature. Curiosity... Read More
Electric Dog FencesIs an electric dog fence something for you?... Read More
What is Canine Distemper?Canine distemper is a highly contagios disease... Read More
For a cat, scratching is a natural, necessary act. Besides... Read More
One of the best parts of the day for any... Read More
If you thought dog noses were just a source of... Read More
Part1: There is Actually a "Wrong" Way to Crate TrainCrate... Read More
Tired of cleaning the cat box? Here are some tips... Read More
Pet |