Microsporum canis is the most predominant ringworm found in dogs and cats. The quality of a ring that we see in humans does not always emerge like a ring in dogs. The wound will grow in size and often become irregular in shape. The hair shafts break off and then result in a round hairless lesion. The face, ears, tail, and feet are the common areas where the fungus is found. The characteristics of the lesion are scaling, itching and redness.
Ringworm can be spread through direct contact from infected dogs to cats or from infected animals to humans and from infected humans to pets. Animals can transmit ringworm to a person without showing signs of infection. Ringworm can live in an environment and even in the soil for a long time. It can infect a dog when he comes into contact with these.
Microsporum gypsum exists in the soil. Dogs and cats often dig in the ground, so they can become infected with this type of fungus. Trichophyton mentagrophytes usually comes from rodents and usually infects dogs that are exposed to rodents or the burrows in which they live. Exposure to the fungus will have an incubation period of 10 to 12 days before injury occurs.
A vet would need to do the following tests to diagnose ringworm:
* Mushroom cultivation is the most accurate. It is the plucking of the infected area and then sends it to a
laboratory for testing and for observation of color change within 14 days.
* Wood’s lamp is an ultraviolet lamp or black light used by the veterinarian because ringworm glows under the lamp.
* Microscopic diagnosis is when a veterinarian looks at an infected part under a microscope.
The treatment recommended by veterinarians is oral or topical antifungal medications. The vet may prescribe griseofulvin, shampoos, and dips. Griseofulvin in an antifungal tablet used for dogs daily. It must be taken by dogs for at least a month. These tablets are not absorbed by the stomach, so feed the dog a high-fat diet and let the dog drink rich cream. Griseolfulvin reduces the reproduction of ringworm but has side effects such as pancreatitis and problems caused by the consumption of fats.
Lime and sulfur dips smell strongly of rotten eggs and caused the dog’s coat to turn a yellowish color. It may also be helpful to shave around the lesions. It is effective to cut pet hair while performing topical shampoo therapy. Baths should be given 3 times a day. Foam should be produced and left to act for 5 minutes before rinsing. Topical antifungal medication should be applied to the infected area once a day for 10 days.
To prevent ringworm in dogs, decontaminate the environment such as carpets, bedding, and grooming equipment. Use a mixture of 500 ml of bleach and 4 liters of water and apply it to any surface. Vacuuming and disposing of the trash will kill the fungus. Wash the dog’s kennel and bedding with bleach and hot water.
A vaccine for ringworm is currently being marketed that reduces redness and other symptoms, however, evidence shows that the vaccine does not fully defend against infection. In some cases, ringworm in dogs can go away on its own.
