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
weekly home cleaning Highland Park ..Parachromis managuense has a bad reputation, just like many of... Read More
Many cat owners believe that their good little kitty would... Read More
Last summer, we added a new pet to our family... Read More
Animal Communication, or telepathy with animals, is as common an... Read More
This mysterious cat is originally from the country of Siam,... Read More
Obesity is one of the most important health concerns facing... Read More
Over the last 20 years, vaccinations have generally been started... Read More
Puppy TrainingPuppy training can be a trying time. The key... Read More
The Story Continues... Following the first of many visits to... Read More
Which parrot is right for me? This is a question... Read More
Yes! We love our wonderful and dear Pooches! We care... Read More
Buying a new dog is more than simply finding the... Read More
Dog eye problems can occur at any time. You should... Read More
Just because we moved out to the country a couple... Read More
Do I Need A Quarantine Tank?Ah, yes, the often dismissed... Read More
Ozzie, my four-month old Rottweiler peered up at me with... Read More
Much has been written about the Discus, or Symphysodon aequifasciatus,... Read More
Training your dog can be time consuming and frustrating at... Read More
I was talking to a friend of mine today and... Read More
The term applehead Chihuahua refers to the shape of a... Read More
I get a lot of horse training questions about stopping... Read More
Unfortunately, accidents can - and DO happen, so it's always... Read More
A couple of years ago a Japanese electronics company came... Read More
Just like humans, dogs are subject to diseases and illnesses.... Read More
Attention breeders, livestock owners and pet lovers! *Pets looking for... Read More
whole house cleaning Park Ridge ..Many people consider their dog to be part of their... Read More
Adding a new member to your feline family is usually... Read More
Studies have shown that regularly petting a dog brings a... Read More
In part one we talked about forming good behavior traits... Read More
It has been said that everything old is new again.... Read More
According to recent statistics, an astounding 65% of all U.S.... Read More
Believe it or not boutiques for dogs are everywhere. Nowadays,... Read More
As there are certain health issues that affect only the... Read More
Most dogs live between ten and seventeen years. The relationship... Read More
Our pets give us so much. They entertain us, listen... Read More
We all know that good food, a loving home and... Read More
Do you want a Westie as a pet? What are... Read More
Oscar is kind of a funny name and it fit... Read More
Even if you haven't had a run-in involving your pet... Read More
A respiratory tract ailment can be fatal to your parrot... Read More
He will be there by your side, as your loving... Read More
As I listen on my long drive to my grandpa's... Read More
Do you really get the fullest amount of enjoyment out... Read More
So you're thinking about trying cichlids. A good choice. In... Read More
Get to know your beloved dog better with these insightful... Read More
If your kids have been begging you to get a... Read More
Which is the noisiest species of all? Nope, not the... Read More
Can Your Dog Stomach This?There's an old adage that says... Read More
Distemper: Spotting This Dog Killer Before it's Too LateCanine distemper... Read More
Once though of as a mere harmless but annoying pest,... Read More
Pet |