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
Rolling Meadows Cadillac Escalade rental .. Lockport Chicago limo O’HareAll breeds and sizes of dogs can be taught easily... Read More
Ok, so everyone who stays on top of the show... Read More
Westies dogs' owners delight in the companionship their dogs give... Read More
Until a very recent period, dog worms were thought to... Read More
Do you have some adult discus fish and want to... Read More
The other day I was doing a research online for... Read More
Mistake #7 ? Assuming You Can Get On Any Horse... Read More
Out of all the pet animals, the cat is most... Read More
If you are keeping tetras, chances are you are breeding... Read More
Did you know that more than one million north americans... Read More
1. Using tranquilizers.This is illegal in many states but other... Read More
Understanding where horses come from has been a long road... Read More
Chihuahua Training is Easy! You may be wondering if Chihuahua... Read More
Lots of folks are picky about their vet, and for... Read More
Your local grocery store is chock full of food and... Read More
Perhaps the best way to train your westie pups not... Read More
Cryptorchidism is peculiar to male dogs and a condition present... Read More
It is hard to get an early diagnosis of lyme... Read More
Just like when you bring home a new baby, you... Read More
A dog, like a human baby, experiences the world through... Read More
If you are thinking of adding a dog to your... Read More
It's been weeks since you went riding. Now you have... Read More
Cat arthritis is not a very common ailment among healthy... Read More
Dog crate training is one of the most effective ways... Read More
Sadly, there are several household items which we tend to... Read More
Des Moines rental limo ..Anyone can put two dogs together and let them breed,... Read More
Over the last 20 years, vaccinations have generally been started... Read More
The best thing to do is to start training your... Read More
My love of horses began at the age of 11... Read More
If you are lucky enough to get a 7-week-old puppy,... Read More
Author of Keep Fleas OffStill using all the chemicals you... Read More
Many people are searching for different means to have pets.... Read More
The first dog trick that is generally taught a dog... Read More
Many dog owners find themselves frustrated, deeply concerned and even... Read More
As a business, I've not been in the holistic pet... Read More
Choosing a dog is a fun adventure. The search for... Read More
I'm sure you're aware of the bad reputation Pitbulls have.... Read More
There is a lot of talk going on about what... Read More
Location of your aquariumSo, you bought your very first fish... Read More
Grooming means taking care of the physical maintenance of the... Read More
Just like when you bring home a new baby, you... Read More
MuttShack Foundation for Animal Foster and Rescue, claim that dogs... Read More
According to recent statistics, an astounding 65% of all U.S.... Read More
Some say it started with the Taco Bell dog. A... Read More
1. What is heat?Heat is more properly called the estrous... Read More
Now that my services have expanded into the "matchmaking" business,... Read More
Buying dog doors onlineIf you need to buy a dog... Read More
Among the most well known cat lover gifts are photo... Read More
My dad was an avid animal lover. We grew up... Read More
If you're looking for an unusual, eye-catching pet, it's hard... Read More
Pet |