Ringworm is one of the most infectious skin diseases that could potentially harm our skin. Although it is called ringworm, it is not the actual worm crawling on your skin. It is a skin infection fungus commonly known as dermatophytes. This fungus can affect animals especially on dogs and cats, but the most predominant one is the dog. Ringworm lives on the surface of the skin. It feeds on dead skin cells, tissues and hair of the dog. Diagnosis of ringworm is not easy. However, if you see some ring shape patches on the skin of your dog, you need to consult your veterinarian immediately for ringworm verification. Taking your pets to a health professional can help you determine which of the treatments are right for their skin condition.
Identifying Ringworm on a Dog
The common symptom of ringworm on a dog is a round shape hairless lesion. Usually, ringworm on humans looks like a ring but is different on dogs. Ringworm on dogs is more acute. The lesion of dogs infected with ringworm will grow in size and will form an irregular shape. The fungi cause the hair on the infected skin to loose and this result in patches. Ringworm may commonly appear on the dog’s face, ears, paws and tails. Normally, the lesions on dogs are scaly, itchy and may often inflamed and sore. These occurrences are the main symptoms of fully developed ringworm.
Treatment for Dogs with Ringworm
A dog can acquire ringworm through a direct contact with an infected animal or human. Mostly, younger dogs are the target of these bacteria because their immune system is not yet fully developed. Many dogs are susceptible to this infection and may even cause other animals to suffer. So how do you cure it? Well, treatment for ringworm on dogs is easy. All you have to do is to consult a veterinarian for medication. You can also use some antifungal creams on dogs, but you need to ask permission from your veterinarian to know the appropriate dosage. Just put the cream on the infected area and you will see the results in a few days.
