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 ..You can't imagine the kind of varieties of Goldfish there... Read More
What makes something news? The fact that you take good... Read More
Do you want to save money, anxiety for your kitty,... Read More
Once though of as a mere harmless but annoying pest,... Read More
Animal lovers come in all shapes and sizes. Undoubtedly if... Read More
Pet adoption is a fabulous option if you're seeking a... Read More
Have you ever held any Westie puppies? These tiny creatures... Read More
Is your dog one of those that pulls at his... Read More
The West Highland Terrier is a friendly dog, and is... Read More
Are there so many great dog breeds out there that... Read More
There may be no warning before dog worms strike.It was... Read More
The American Kennel Club recognizes 150 different dog breeds. There... Read More
A puppy wanting to chew makes you want to scream!... Read More
Dogs, especially young dogs are very playful by nature.Play provides... Read More
Almost all communities in the U.S. require at least one... Read More
I would like to address some of the statements I... Read More
I am a happy owner of two rat terriers. They... Read More
Do you have a home robotic vacuum cleaner? They are... Read More
Do you have a puppy that jumps on you, company... Read More
For Discus fish, there are 2 consideration in tanks -... Read More
The benefits of feeding live food to fish in a... Read More
Horse training can be a relatively mysterious subject to people... Read More
I am a dog lover by nature. I have just... Read More
If you have a hard time in summer imagine how... Read More
So you'd like to know how to build a dog... Read More
on demand house cleaning Lake Forest ..Many people don't realize that their dogs, just like human... Read More
While your friends and family are amazed that you're raising... Read More
Dog Training CollarsHaving a pet means having to provide for... Read More
A poorly trained dog is a nuisance and can even... Read More
A dog, like a human baby, experiences the world through... Read More
How to Deal With Anxiety in Your DogAnxiety in dogs... Read More
Playing reinforces the bond between you and your cat.Playing with... Read More
Whether you are searching for something to say "Happy Birthday"... Read More
More and more folks are looking to the Internet to... Read More
When goldfish swim up to the glass of the tank,... Read More
Sadly, there are several household items which we tend to... Read More
The most important things in dog training are consistency, keeping... Read More
There are thousands of local and online Pet Stores but... Read More
It goes without saying that your dog needs suitable nutrition... Read More
Dogs are descendent of wolves. To study the psychology of... Read More
Caring for your dogs teeth is a vital part of... Read More
Did you know that your goldfish can live for over... Read More
If you've ever watched as a cat "flipped" over fresh... Read More
Bringing a new puppy or dog home is a huge... Read More
Just like when you bring home a new baby, you... Read More
Dogs are quite amiable creatures. Much like our human counterparts,... Read More
Author of Keep Fleas OffStill using all the chemicals you... Read More
I was doing some research on dog health when I... Read More
So you're bringing home that cute little puppy from the... Read More
As pets go hamsters are fairly easy to take care... Read More
Pet |