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Does My Pet Have Ringworm? |
In animals, ringworm usually appears as a crusty or scaly patch on the skin with some hair loss. The affected areas may become red or irritated looking. Ringworm is sometimes itchy. Occasionally, ringworm will fluoresce under a black light. Unfortunately, a cat can have ringworm and not show any skin lesions at all. A fungal culture is the best test to diagnose ringworm; it typically takes one to three weeks to get results. Fungal cultures will also be used to monitor the progress of treatment. Call your veterinarian if you notice any hair loss or excessive itching in your dog or cat. |
What is Ringworm?
Ringworm is not actually caused by a worm, but rather by a fungus that infects the outer layer of skin and hair. It is a zoonotic disease, meaning it can be transmitted from pets to humans, or people to pets. There are numerous species of ringworm. It is most commonly recognized in cats (often kittens) and dogs, although rabbits and rodents can also become infected. Ringworm can be very contagious.
Can I Get Ringworm from My Pet?
Yes. Anyone that has come into contact with the infected animal or its environment has the chance of contracting ringworm. In people, the infection may appear on the skin as a ring with reddish borders and is usually itchy. If you have any concerns about ringworm in family members, please seek advice from your physician.
How is Ringworm Treated?
Ringworm is easily treatable in humans with only topical medication. However, this is not the case with pets. In order to eliminate ringworm from animals, topical and oral anti-fungal medications are required, and it often takes months for complete resolution. Oral medication is either itraconazole or fluconazole. Topical medications are daily miconazole or clotrimazole creams plus weekly lime sulfur dips. Once the skin starts to improve, a fungal culture will be obtained and sent out to monitor the status. As soon as there is one negative culture, a second culture will be sent to the lab. Dermatologists recommend that treatment be continued for one month beyond the second negative culture. It is important that your pet receive their medication and treatment regularly.
How Do I Clean My House?
Be sure to talk to your veterinarian if you notice any changes in your pet's behavior or if your pet does not appear to be improving.
Sources:
University of Guelph, Worms and Germs Blog
WebMD, Ringworm of the Skin
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Office Hours
Day | Open | Close |
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Monday | 8:30am | 5:30pm |
Tuesday | 8:30am | 5:30pm |
Wednesday | 8:30am | 5:30pm |
Thursday | 8:30am | 5:30pm |
Friday | 8:30am | 5:30pm |
Saturday | Closed | Closed |
Sunday | Closed | Closed |
Day | Open | Close | ||||
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Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Saturday | Sunday |
8:30am | 8:30am | 8:30am | 8:30am | 8:30am | Closed | Closed |
5:30pm | 5:30pm | 5:30pm | 5:30pm | 5:30pm | Closed | Closed |
Testimonial
So impressed with how Sue and Cara cared for our dog Fritz for many years until he passed away at age 15 in February. The two dogs we currently have are also so lucky to see Sue and Cara.
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