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
Airbnb cleaning service Glenview ..Once other animals such as cattle, sheep and goats became... Read More
Many of us dream of having a beautiful, exotic bird... Read More
Which kind is your pet? The pooch who is the... Read More
If you have a dog or cat that is an... Read More
Our dogs are now, more than ever, a very important... Read More
A poorly trained dog is a nuisance and can even... Read More
Is there anything more cute and cuddly than tiny little... Read More
Of all the aggressive behavior in dogs dog bites is... Read More
Breed specific legislation otherwise known as "BSL" has started to... Read More
The idea of picking up a horse's hooves can intimidate... Read More
Gain some insight into how your favorite feline actually feels... Read More
Grocery Stores could use some larger Dog Food Isles. Not... Read More
Unfortunately, there are a number of household items which we... Read More
While "late is better than never," sooner is better than... Read More
Everybody loves a baby animal and Westie puppies are adorable,... Read More
Toys are fun both for our dogs and us. Lucky... Read More
It has been said that everything old is new again.... Read More
The greatest benefits of ownership is knowing that your property... Read More
==========The Scoop on Premium Dog Food========If you're interested in premium... Read More
Pregnant cats have to eat for two, three, four, five,... Read More
This is the story of my dog called Shandy. He... Read More
Let's say you've made up your mind on the breed... Read More
All positive commands should be spoken sharply and distinctly during... Read More
For Discus fish, there are 2 consideration in tanks -... Read More
Beaks, Bills, Face Knives, Beakers - whatever we want to... Read More
efficient cleaning crew Highland Park ..When I carried him home, he was this tiny little... Read More
It is always sad when a beloved animal family member... Read More
It's been weeks since you went riding. Now you have... Read More
Training your dog to obey commands is an important part... Read More
There is a lot of talk going on about what... Read More
Buying a pet bird can be quite an investment. After... Read More
Puppy crate training is one of the most effective ways... Read More
HistoryThroughout the US and in many parts of the world,... Read More
Congratulations. You've decided to buy a bird, and you even... Read More
Traditionally, a doggie treat was just that, a treat that... Read More
The 6 Keys To Building A Life Long Partnership With... Read More
Yesterday we talked a little about the 6 Keys for... Read More
Dog DoorsWhen we think of dog doors, we think of... Read More
Some people are so attached to their pets that they... Read More
Whether purely for looks or for a bird's home, bird... Read More
Lonely, bored, tired of eating that same old stick, then... Read More
Pet DoorsAre you considering installing a pet door for your... Read More
It was the Saturday morning of August 20, 2004 and... Read More
1. Using tranquilizers.This is illegal in many states but other... Read More
Cats are known for their curious and adventurous nature. Curiosity... Read More
Introducing your puppy to the crate should be an easy... Read More
Among the most well known cat lover gifts are photo... Read More
Understanding where horses come from has been a long road... Read More
So you want to keep discus fish or are already... Read More
Vitamins for Pets - How Essential Are They?A vitamin supplement... Read More
Pet |