What is ringworm?
Ringworm, despite its name, is actually not a worm but a fungal infection of the skin, hair or nails. The disease can be spread by contact with an infected animal or person, contact with grooming tools, bedding and other inanimate objects. Ringworm gots its name from the circular skin patches often seen in people with the disease. The more formal term for this problem is dermatophytosis, which is derived from the type of fungus that causes it.
Is ringworm infection serious? What does it do to my pet?
Ringworm can cause tremendous variety of sings, but most commonly patchy, often scaly, hair loss is seen. Most pets with this disease will not be itchy, although occasionally some will. Fortunately, ringworm rarely leads to other problems and pets with this infection usually are otherwise healthy and happy.
Where does my pet get ringworm from?
Ringworm is spread from pet to pet and from pet to people either by direct contact with the infected animal or by contact with grooming tools, bedding, and other inanimate objects.
Can I get ringworm?
Ringworm is contagious to humans. Although the condition is nearly always curable, ti can be frustrating to treat, so it is very important that you and your family use good hygiene when handling or treating your pet. Be sure to wash your hands after handling your pet. Clean bedding and grooming equipment frequently. Because children are more susceptible to ringworm infection than adults, it is a good idea to limit their exposure to infected pets. If you or your family member notice any patchy skin conditions while treating an infected pet, contact your personal physician. Be sure to use extra caution if you are pregnant because some antifungal medications should not be used during pregnancy.
How do I find out if my pet is infected with ringworm?
Ringworm is fairly simple to diagnose. Your veterinarian will take a small sample of your pet’s hair to try to culture the fungus. This will both confirm the disease and help identify the organism responsible.
If my pet’s diagnostic testing comes back posivite for ringworm, what is the treatment plan?
Ringworm is curable in nearly every case. If the affected area is small, the veterinarian may have you treat your pet with a topical antifungal preparation. If the infection is more involved, the veterinarian might recommend bathing or dipping your pet with antifungal solutions. In severe cases, the veterinarina may prescribe an oral antifungal for your pet. If oral antifungals are used, a blood test might be done to check for any indication that the medication is causing problems. Because some some antifungal medications have the potential to cause birth defects, cancer, and liver damage, they should be handled with caution. Wash hands after handling whole tablets, and wear gloves if splitting pills for any reason.
Does my pet need to be on a special diet during treatment?
Pets can stay on their daily routine.
What can I do to protect my pet from reinfestation after treatment?
It’s important to remember that fungal infections can take a long time to resolve, although they usually do with appropriate treatment. Also, in some cases, they can be frustrating to treat because the environment and other individuals in the household may be affected in a multipet household. Be sure to follow the advice of your veterinarian and notify us if the condition worsens. The best way to prevent ringworm infection is to keep away from those infected as much as possible. Also, it is important you and your family use good hygiene when handling or treating your pet. Be sure to wash your hands after handling your pet. Clean bedding and grooming equipment frequently.
A young cat infected with ringworm
