by Barbaraanne Helberg

Created on: March 04, 2010   Last Updated: March 05, 2010

Ringworm is one of many skin diseases, or ailments that affect household pets, in particular the family dog. It is one of few animal illnesses, however, which may be transmitted from the pet to his human caretakers.

Young dogs are especially susceptible to ringworm. There actually is no "worm" in ringworm. The ailment is born of infectious fungi, which is carried on the animal's fur and becomes a circular, scaly infection on his skin, where its growth may spread to include many patches on the pet's body. Humans and other pets in the family may all need to be protected and treated for ringworm if the disease crops up on one member.

Unlike other skin infections such as seborrhea that shows up in purulent, discolored, moist patches, or allergies to pollen, dust, mold, flea bites, or certain foods that create red, dry, itchy, irritated skin, or "hot spots" that erupt in round, painful patches of moist, swollen skin which is worsened by a tormented dog's scratching, ringworm is developed from an outside source.

Signs of the presence of ringworm on a dog's skin involve a condition of crusty, scaly circles. These irritating circles are actually raised lesions. Spores easily travel over the dog's skin, infecting large areas, or the illness may remain localized to one spot. Either way, frequent inspections of the dog's skin are needed to uncover the disease.

As in many other skin diseases, or infections, ringworm may cause the canine to itch frequently. Another sign of the disease is hair loss around the location of the lesions. Scabs may appear. Scaling and dandruff often accompany the problem. Odorous discharge, swelling, redness, soreness, moisture, discoloration, and small, singular lumps, or bumps are not usually associated with ringworm, but may be signs of other ailments.

A diagnosis of ringworm on a pet may be determined by using skin scrapings and fungal cultures. The animal should be properly accessed in a veterinarian's office, where a specialized light called a Woods Lamp may be used to detect the lesions.  A decision concerning treatment to prevent further spreading of the ringworm will need to be made based on the vet's analysis and tests from an associated laboratory. 

Treating ringworm can involve disinfecting the entire household environment. To effectively remove all spores that carry the disease, everything must be cleaned, especially the areas that the infected pet frequents. Floors and linen and clothing should be particular targets. Human caretakers must repeat this regard for cleanliness for several weeks to kill all potential spores lurking in the household.

Regularly scanning a canine's skin is an important health routine. Selective grooming may reveal problems far more serious than ringworm, or seborrhea, such as glandular ailments like hypothyroidism and Cushing's Syndrome, or jaundice, which indicates that hepatitis may be present. And an ounce of prevention is still worth a pound of cure when it comes to family pets and household members. 

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