It is a common knowledge that human ringworms are caused by fungi infections that occur on warm and moist body parts and typically shaped like rings. If ringworm occurs in an animal, are they the same as those that infect the humans? Let us find out by reading further.
Animal ringworm is the most common and occasional skin disease of the animals. Technically defined as dermatophytosis, it is caused by fungi same as those in humans. Although it is named as ringworm, it is not caused by worms. Ringworm cause is a fungus found in the skin, hair and nail. Human pets like dogs and cats are animals mostly infected by this disease. Be warned because animal ringworm can be transferred to the human body. The disease is common to young animals whose immune system is not yet fully developed or those with compromised immune system.
Animal ringworm is characterized by dryness, grey color, scaly patch and sometimes visibility of lesion. Ringworm shape is usually in circular form, thus the name ringworm.
Three types of fungi may cause ringworms in animals. They are Microsporum Canis found in cats, Microsporum gypseum found in both dogs and cats which has a habit of digging from soil and Trichophyton mentagrophytes found in cats and dogs which may be contaminated from the burrows they live. Different fungi cause requires different ringworm treatment.
Treatment in animals is different from those applied to humans. They are more expensive since the medicines are not immediately available. On the other hand, scientist and different experts are studying different things that can somehow cure this type of disease. Therefore, it is still best to make sure that you need to clean your surroundings in order to avoid ringworms. There are commonly used alternative medicines like animal shampoos and anti-fungal creams that can be found on stores that can manage to cure it.
Animal ringworm shall not be disregarded because it is transmissible to humans. If you happen to have pets with ringworms, do not hesitate to treat it. You might get ringworm from your pets without knowing it.
