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
best cleaning company Lincolnshire ..Your local grocery store is chock full of food and... Read More
Dogs are quite amiable creatures. Much like our human counterparts,... Read More
The wearing of charms dates back to 400 or 500... Read More
A poorly trained dog can embarrass its owner and offend... Read More
The benefits of feeding live food to fish in a... Read More
Some people say they are exclusively "cat people," meaning they... Read More
Do you have at least one framed photo of your... Read More
Just how old is your dog really? More than likely... Read More
As you likely know already, horses have at least 10... Read More
All dogs bark, it's their way to communicate a message.... Read More
1. Clipping the quick when cutting nails.Don't be in a... Read More
Got a mischevious mutt on your hands? Then you may... Read More
"Dogs have owners; cats have staff," and I have worked... Read More
When goldfish swim up to the glass of the tank,... Read More
Obesity is one of the greatest health concerns facing dogs.... Read More
A dog that is feeling pain can often be highly... Read More
The act of offering Christmas gifts is always enhanced if... Read More
Fleas have plagued dogs, cats, and their owners since time... Read More
In the last decade or so, the popularity of sugar... Read More
Stingrays will eat a wide variety of foods. Maintaining a... Read More
Until a very recent period, dog worms were thought to... Read More
From the first day of life on a leash, most... Read More
Uh-oh, it's that time again. The dreaded vet visit, and... Read More
General Info.Brine shrimps, or artemia, are a zooplankton used mainly... Read More
Now that my services have expanded into the "matchmaking" business,... Read More
on demand house cleaning Lake Forest .."On Trust" & "Paid For" for are one of the... Read More
While your friends and family are amazed that you're raising... Read More
These days, it's hard to know what decisions are the... Read More
Mention the word "video" and different people would come up... Read More
Is your dog or cat tormented by ear infections? Do... Read More
Do you have at least one framed photo of your... Read More
All breeds and sizes of dogs can be taught easily... Read More
A well-train dog usually leads a happier and healthier life... Read More
I would like to write a few words about my... Read More
Nutrition and Your Dog's Behavior Proper nutrition is the fundamental... Read More
I'm a pariah among the dog fanciers in my community.... Read More
The American Humane Society estimated that last year alone; fifteen... Read More
The 6 Keys To Building A Life Long Partnership With... Read More
We've recently moved into a new apartment complex that really... Read More
As many of you know America is serious about our... Read More
What Is ParvoParvo is a serious viral disease that can... Read More
BackgroundSilkworms are the larva of a moth (Bombyx mori) native... Read More
If there is an art to getting horses to load... Read More
When it comes to the art of giving, a gift... Read More
I get a lot of horse training questions about stopping... Read More
Whether you are searching for something to say "Happy Birthday"... Read More
If you have a passion to learn all you can... Read More
Obesity is one of the greatest health concerns facing dogs.... Read More
Dog Travel SuppliesThe shopping part along for dog travel supplies... Read More
"Where's the harm? My cat seems to enjoy chocolate and... Read More
Pet |