In mild cases of ringworms in dogs, there may be nothing noticeable at all. These dogs can still pass the disease on to humans and other animals. Just because the clinical signs go away doesn’t mean that your dog is no longer contagious, and your vet will most likely want to retest your dog for ringworm before giving you the “all’s clear.”. Ringworm in dogs is actually a fungal infection that is highly contagious. Some animals will look better with treatment, but ringworm is still present in their fur, skin, or nails. Environments that are densely populated with animals (for example, in an animal shelter or kennel), or where there is poor nutrition, poor management practices, and lack of an adequate quarantine period, also increase risk of infection. Ringworm in dogs often appears as round patches of hair loss, often occurring on a dog’s head, paws, ears, and forelegs.Hair loss occurs because the fungi infect the hair follicles, causing them to become fragile and to break off easily at the skin line. Ringworm in dogs spreads through direct contact with the fungus. The common symptoms of ringworm in dogs. Despite its name, however, ringworm is not actually a worm—it is a fungus. Ringworm in dogs is a fungal infection of the hair, skin, or claw. To decontaminate your home, thoroughly vacuum floors and upholstery and clean hard surfaces with an effective disinfectant like a dilute bleach solution. Sometimes in dogs, ringworm causes bald circular patches that may become scabbed or inflamed over time. The condition or disease described in this medical article can affect both dogs and cats. Ringworm is not specific to one species, and the idea that dogs can only contract ringworm from other dogs is not true. Essential info about dog health, training, sports and more. In one study of dogs who had active skin problems, less than 3 percent had ringworm. If you can’t contain your dog to hard floors, daily vacuuming and removal of hair from furniture and surfaces can help prevent ringworm from spreading. It is easier to see lesions on younger dogs. Crusting of … Most owners don’t have to worry about ringworm prevention on a regular basis unless they have already had a case of ringworm in one or more pets. The most commonly isolated fungal organisms are Microsporum canis, Trichophyton mentagrophytes, and Microsporum gypseum. The most characteristic symptom is alopecia ( circular lesions ), due to the affected hairs’ breakage. Ringworm (on the skin) The symptoms of ringworm include: a ring-like red or silvery rash on your skin – your skin will look red and irritated around the ring, but healthy inside; scaly, itchy and inflamed skin; In more severe cases: But despite its name, ringworm in dogs isn't always a round lesion or a worm— it's a common skin infection that's highly contagious. Humans can get Microsporum canis, too, which is another reason why it is important to take this condition seriously. Symptoms of ringworm in dogs often include some combination of the following: Hair loss (alopecia), which may be patchy or circular. Patches of ringworm may look like a grey, scaly patch in somedogs, but more like a red lesion in others. The nails and claw folds (the skin bordering the nail) may also be infected by ringworm fungus, which results in brittle or misshapen nails. This makes it easier to eliminate stray hairs and to mop with a disinfectant recommended by your veterinarian. Symptoms of Ringworm in Dogs. Many people believe that a parasitic worm actually causes ringworm in dogs and cats! Ringworm in dogs are caused by a fungus and not a worm as many people think. Despite the name, ringworm is not a worm (or even caused by a worm), but … Lungworm is described as an “emerging” disease, which means it’s gradually becoming more common. The infection is superficial, and in most cases only affects a few areas of the dog’s body. Mild cases in \"asymptomatic carriers\" may not even show at all. Symptoms of Ringworm in Dogs. The affected hair follicles are brittle and break easily, which helps spread the disease throughout your home. Treating ringworm in dogs usually consists of three steps: Your veterinarian will probably recommend a topical therapy, like a cream, ointment, and/or medicated shampoo to help treat and control the infection. Species of keratinophilic fungi cause the disease. Generally, ringworm lesions appear on dogs’ paws, legs, head and ears, but they can appear on any part of the body. Here, find out how ringworm spreads, how long it remains contagious, and how to treat the infection. Red, circular skin lesions: this tell-tale sign of ringworm is unmistakable, whether it appears on you or your dog. Cats can get ringworm, too, and the fungus responsible for most cases of ringworm in dogs, Microsporum canis, is also responsible for 98 percent of ringworm in cats. Odd shapes usually mean that multiple lesions joined. Cat Nutrition: What Makes a Nutritional Cat Food? Cleaning up all this hair is a part of treatment, but as many dog owners know, also a bit of a challenge. Microsporum canis (M. canis) is the most common form of ringworm in pets. Treatment often must continue for several months and should not be stopped until followup diagnostic testing shows that the dog is free of ringworm. This treatment plan depends on the severity of the case, the number of pets in the household, and whether or not there are children or immunocompromised adults in the home. Have you ever wondered what causes ringworm in dogs? Symptoms: Hair loss. It is also very important that owners continue to treat for ringworm for the prescribed period of time. Symptoms of Ringworm in Dogs. The fungal spores responsible for the spread can remain viable for up to 18 months and typically spread through shedding or breaking of infected hairs. Since many dog owners also have cats in the home, this means that the risk of the fungus spreading from cats to dogs and dogs to cats is relatively high. Once ringworm is diagnosed, your vet will discuss a treatment plan for your dog. Your vet will most likely ask you if you have any other pets in the household and might advise that you test and treat them for ringworm, as well, even if they are not currently showing signs of a ringworm infection. Dandruff (scales) Darkened skin. Your veterinarian can put together an appropriate plan for treatment, monitoring, and environmental decontamination based on the specifics of your dog’s case. Also, monthly checks of blood work may be indicated for dogs receiving ketoconazole or itraconazole as these drugs can be toxic to the liver. Classic ringworm lesions present on animals as patchy areas of hair loss and scaliness. This period may decrease in animals with a suppressed immune system. Ringworm usually does not itch. What does ringworm look like – symptoms of ringworm in dogs and cats – and humans! Founded in 1884, the AKC is the recognized and trusted expert in breed, health, and training information for dogs. This disease occurs in dogs, cats, and other species of animals, including people. Ringworm is a highly contagious fungal infection of the skin. Being able to spot the symptoms will allow you to prevent further spread of the infection. Dry and brittle hair It isn’t usually a serious or life-threatening illness, but it can be quite a pain to treat, and it is quite contagious. Ringworm, as the fungus is commonly called, is named for the round, raised, red ring appearance usually seen in human ringworm infections. If treatment is stopped too soon, the dog may relapse and continue to pose a risk to other individuals. Reddened or ulcerated skin. is thought to be playing a role in the dog’s development of ringworm, it should be addressed as well. The incidence of these and the less common species that cause ringworm varies according to your geographic location. It may be necessary to screen or treat other animals (and people) in the home that have had contact with a ringworm positive pet to prevent reinfections from occurring. "However, not all animals will contract the fungus simply from contact. Despite the fact that this is not a deadly disease, it can be uncomfortable for the dog and not very appealing to the eye. Knowing the symptoms of ringworm in dogs can help you catch the disease before it passes to humans or other pets. Treating ringworm in dogs. There are a few ways that dogs can get ringworm. In dogs, ringworm has a number of different appearances, mostoften areas of hair loss with a crusty covering, or (rarely) may beasymptomatic. https://www.akc.org/wp-admin/admin-ajax.php, https://www.akc.org/subscription/thank-you. Symptoms of ringworm in dogs often include some combination of the following: Less frequently, dogs develop a raised nodular lesion that may ooze called a kerion. Skin problems are associated with many serious underlying conditions in dogs, like Cushing’s disease, hypothyroidism, a nutrient imbalance, or could simply be symptoms of other skin conditions like allergies, a different parasite, or an infection.