For dog lovers, sleeping with their pets is a reasonably innocuous everyday deal. These beautiful animals often take a leading role in our lives, and we forget that their nature leads them to be in constant contact with elements that can be harmful to our health.
What to Be Aware Of
Bacteria, viruses, insects, and parasites are just some of the microbes that come in contact with our four-legged friends on each visit to the park. However, there is a fifth threat that usually goes completely unnoticed: a fungal infection called ringworm.
What Is Ringworm?
Ringworm, also known by its medical term dermatophytosis, is a highly contagious fungal infection that affects skin, hair, and dogs nails.
This disease tends to have a higher incidence during puppyhood in a variety of domestic pets, although it can also occur in malnourished or debilitated animals.
How Does Contagion Occur?
Ringworm is a fungus that lives on pets’ skin and can be transmitted to humans, by caressing an infected animal or by touching the soil around the house that has been infected.
Kennels, dog hotels, parks, dog friendly beaches and animal shelters have a higher risk of dermatophyte infection. Studies conducted on this disease have found that ringworm in dogs is usually more frequent in hot and humid climates.
Symptoms of Ringworm in Dogs
- Excess accumulation of dead skin cells (Dandruff).
- Poor coat.
- Redness of the skin (Erythema).
- Unpleasant skin odors.
- Itching.
- Irregular or circular hair loss.
- Hyperpigmentation.
Symptoms of Ringworm in Humans
Symptoms usually begin days after contact. This infection causes circular eruptions with slightly elevated edges. Typically such outbreaks cause itching and spread out during the course of the disease.
Treatment of Ringworm in Dogs
The treatment of ringworm in dogs will depend on infection severity. In mild cases, a medicated shampoo with 0.5% Chlorhexidine, a miconazole ointment or a bath with lime sulfide will be enough to eliminate fungi.
In most serious cases, it would be necessary to add oral medications prescribed by the veterinarian.
