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 ..Obesity is one of the most important health concerns facing... Read More
Since having a dog is such a common thing, do... Read More
Our dogs are now, more than ever, a very important... Read More
Trying to decide if you should get insurance on your... Read More
A breed of dog called a Boxer is very family-oriented... Read More
Good filtration is the prime priority in the discus tank.... Read More
Making our lives better includes protecting our families, and also... Read More
Have you ever dreamed of living with a bobcat or... Read More
Potty Training Your Puppy:Make sure you feed your dog at... Read More
In a recent discussion about pet safety, the services provided... Read More
Imagine being on a horse and he bolts. You pull... Read More
Boarding, Breeding, Training & Showing Stables:1. You need to fill... Read More
All breeds and sizes of dogs can be taught easily... Read More
You might think the most important bit of dog health... Read More
Bringing home a Pug can change our life, but it... Read More
Bringing home a new puppy, ushers in a wave of... Read More
Losing your cat is a worrying experience, use these 'How... Read More
Weaning puppies is a perfectly natural process. Mamma dogs have... Read More
Teaching your dog to heel is one of the most... Read More
There may be no warning before dog worms strike.It was... Read More
Aggression behavior in a dog is a normal form of... Read More
Large dogs and extra large dogs require more thought and... Read More
There are many of us who consider our pets as... Read More
The large animal organizations and the public money.It is said... Read More
Was he the world's greatest horse trainer of all time?... Read More
on demand house cleaning Lake Forest ..It was November and I had spent 3 months searching... Read More
Ringworm is an annoying, highly contagious fungal disorder that is... Read More
I was doing some research on dog health when I... Read More
Dog Shock CollarsDog shock collars are a touchy subject among... Read More
There is a dangerous problem that horse owners should be... Read More
Hamsters are soft, furry and small. They make wonderful pets... Read More
It has been said that everything old is new again.... Read More
If you are beginning to feel like an endangered species... Read More
Advice!!!-Pet products that are useful, fun and enjoyable will make... Read More
Almost without exception, breeders will advertise that their favorite terrier,... Read More
Pets provide an unconditional love that requires very little on... Read More
Dog SupplementsA good nutritional program of dog supplements is just... Read More
1.) Versatility- A good dog trainer will use techniques and... Read More
Did you know that your goldfish can live for over... Read More
One of the benefits of registering your pet with a... Read More
A couple of years ago a Japanese electronics company came... Read More
Their scientific name is Cavia Tschuldi and their nickname in... Read More
The cat backs up to the door, lifts the tail... Read More
Is your cat talking to you?Many cat lovers claim that... Read More
"You've created your own monster, you know", my mother said... Read More
Your cat scratching at your furniture can not only leave... Read More
Vaccinations play an important part in the preventive healthcare of... Read More
What is Canine Infectious Hepatitis?The word hepatitis refers to an... Read More
Do you really know all there is to know about... Read More
Standing and walking on the hind legs are tricks that... Read More
Pet |