Ringworm

(A Fungus Among Us)

Your cat, dog, horse, guinea pig or (even worse) someone in your family has been diagnosed with “Ringworm.” Does this mean there are nasty worms living on the skin? The answer is NO.

Ringworm is a fungus which can affect the surface of the skin, hair and nail beds. There are several species of this type of fungus - some found in the soil and others have adapted themselves to live on animals. More importantly, certain species of the fungus can be transmitted from animals to humans and vice versa.

How is the diseases diagnosed? The classic lesion seen in pets is a rapidly expanding circular patch on the skin. This is usually accompanied by hair loss and redness. It should be noted that some fungal lesions may not be that obvious. Some animals can even carry the fungus without showing any signs at all. For this reason and because other diseases of the skin can mimic ringworm, culturing the skin or hair is necessary to determine a diagnosis.

If your pet is diagnosed with ringworm he /she can be treated. Treatment may consist of any combination of medicated baths, topical medication, removal of hair, and /or oral medication. Appropriate sanitation measures are a must since the fungal organism can survive in the environment. Brushes, combs and pet bedding should be thoroughly cleansed. Vacuuming daily is a good idea also, including the furniture.

It should be noted that some individuals, especially children, are particularly susceptible to the fungus. Therefore, individuals handling pets who have ringworm should wash their hands well using a dilute betadine solution or iodine soap.

Because ringworm is potentially contagious, all treatment recommendations given for your pet should be followed closely. Please do not hesitate to ask us if you have any questions concerning your pet’s care.