During your nightly snuggles, you notice missing patches of fur on your dog. And now that you think about it, your best friend has been itching more than usual, too. These are two signs that your dog could be suffering from ringworm. Veterinarian and pet health advocate Dr. Aliya McCullough shares everything you need to know about ringworm to treat it fast.
Ringworm, or dermatophytosis, is a very contagious fungal infection (it’s not an actual worm) common in pets (more so in dogs than cats). This infection should be diagnosed and treated as quickly as possible because it can easily spread and contaminate the environment pets live in by getting into carpets, furniture, air vents and even affecting the people around them.
Young and older dogs are more likely to contract ringworm, especially if they have immature or weak immune systems. Dogs who have ringworm typically experience patchy hair loss. However, some other symptoms may include:
Visit your vet immediately if you think your dog is suffering from ringworm. They can usually make a diagnosis based on your pup’s health history, clinical signs and a few diagnostics tests.
Treating ringworm depends on the severity of your dog’s lesions and the number of infected pets in your household. In very mild cases, antifungal shampoos and topicals may do the trick. However, severely infected animals often require the same topical treatments and a long course of oral medications. To fully remove the infection, your home (air ducts included) should be deep-cleaned, too.
Lysol, a brand of disinfectant, can kill ringworm on non-living surfaces. However, don’t spray this on your pup.
Ringworm lives below the surface of the skin, so hand sanitizer may not protect you. Never apply hand sanitizer or alcohol (of any kind) to your pet.
Diluted bleach solutions kill ringworm on non-living surfaces, but never apply bleach to your pet.
Ringworm is very contagious between dogs and people. It can be transferred by touching your pet’s skin, especially if you have a cut or open wound. If you’ve contracted ringworm from your pet, it may appear as a small, itchy circular rash with a clear center.
If you think you have ringworm, quarantine your dog to a specific area of your home and contact your vet for next steps. Some other tips to stop the spread are:
Hot spots on dogs are different from ringworm markings because they are red, moist, painful and intensely itchy patches of skin. Ringworm, on the other hand, often appears as hairless, dry and flaky or crusty spots.
Ringworm isn’t fun for your pet (or you), but knowing how to spot it and your treatment options will make it much easier to manage.
The Dig, Fetch Pet Insurance's expert-backed editorial, answers all of the questions you forget to ask your vet or are too embarrassed to ask at the dog park. We help make sure you and your best friend have more good days, but we’re there on bad days, too.
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