Content
- What is ringworm?
- What are the symptoms?
- Treatment against ringworm in dogs
- Advice and home remedies against ringworm symptoms in dogs
If you suspect or already know with certainty that your puppy has ringworm, treatment should start as soon as possible. It is important that the veterinarian confirms with any exam or test that he/she believes is necessary.
By reading this article by PeritoAnimal, you will be informed about the whole treatment of ringworm in dogs. You can also find the symptoms of the disease and some home remedies for its treatment.
If your dog has ringworm, don't wait any longer as this is a parasitic disease caused by a fungus that reproduces very quickly. Read on to find out all about ringworm, one of the skin diseases in dogs.
What is ringworm?
Ringworm is a fungal disease, which means it is caused by fungi. It is infectious and contagious and affects different species of animals such as humans and their most common pets such as dogs and cats.
As it is contagious, it is very common to see this disease in animals that live in groups, such as farms, animal protection associations, controlled colonies, etc. For this reason, it is essential that treatment start as soon as you detect ringworm in one of your animals to contain the spread.
As with most illnesses, if the dog's health is not good before the infection, a weakened immune system facilitates the spread of ringworm all over the body in a short time. Symptoms begin to appear between 2 and 4 weeks after infection.
What are the symptoms?
The main symptoms of ringworm are circular lesions and alopecia (hair loss). If there are yellowish crusts and scales, you may notice a peculiar odor emanating from the dog's skin. These lesions on your partner's skin can be localized or general, extending throughout the body as the disease progresses. In the case of dogs, dermatophytosis does not usually cause itchiness and cracks in the skin, as in the case of humans.
Despite dermatophytosis or mycosis presenting these very characteristic symptoms, we should not be complacent. Demodectic scabies has very similar symptoms and hardly produces itching, unlike other types of scabies. Ideally, a trusted veterinarian will confirm the disease with a series of microscopic exams that analyze the coat of the affected area, in order to detect the fungi caused by the ringworm.
Treatment against ringworm in dogs
It is true that if ringworm is diagnosed in early stages, an increase in the immunity of the infected animal may be enough for the ringworm to disappear in a few months. In these cases, in addition to improving your friend's defenses, the goal is to alleviate the symptoms and prevent the spread of the fungus.
Initially, a topical treatment with a fungicide ointment, lotion or powder is sufficient. If you opt for lotion or powder, brush the animal to spread the product well and help eliminate fungal spores accumulated on the skin. You should bet on the medications recommended by your trusted veterinarian, as he knows what works thanks to experience with other cases. It is essential that the treatment is done throughout the body. of the dog even if the lesions are localized to ensure that the fungus does not thrive in other areas that do not show symptoms.
The most used treatment in puppies is as follows:
- Sulfocacic Syrup (0.05%)
- Chlorhexidine (0'5%)
- Captan solution (1:300 rinse twice a week)
For dogs in more serious cases, often treat the problem with an antifungal such as griseofulvin. The dose should be indicated by the veterinarian as it depends on the dog's weight and other factors.
Usually, treatments last between 1 and 3 months. However, the treatment must be continued 2 to 4 weeks after the lesions disappear to prevent the fungus from remaining in the pet's body, as they spread easily. The best way to know if your partner is cured is to see the veterinarian again so he can do the necessary tests and make sure the vet is not present. That's because it's impossible to tell if the fungus remains just by looking at the dog's skin.
Advice and home remedies against ringworm symptoms in dogs
It is essential that veterinary treatment continues to be applied to successfully eliminate ringworm in your pet. However, we suggest some tips so you can treat ringworm and its symptoms with natural remedies:
- Protect yourself well: As previously mentioned, ringworm can also be transmitted to humans. So, if your puppy suffers from this skin disease, it is essential that he stay protected at all times. You should wear latex gloves to touch the dog and administer treatments. It is also essential that you wash your hands thoroughly before and after doing this.
- Clean and disinfect the house: To prevent the fungus from spreading, you should thoroughly clean and disinfect your home. You can do it with chlorine and detergent. Vacuuming everything and disposing of the vacuum bag is also essential. In addition, you should also steam clean the dog's furniture, rugs, beds, blankets and toys. This procedure must be done on the first and last day of treatment, at the very least.
- Cut the hair: Cutting the coat around the lesions reduces the chances of the fungus spreading It is essential that, after cutting the hair, you remove it from the environment and clean it again, as the ringworm fungi survive in the dog's coat.
- Bath: The treatment recommended by the veterinarian certainly includes the recommendation of frequent baths. It is very important that you leave the shampoo or lotion on for at least ten minutes. The water must not exceed 27 º C.
- Tea tree oil: This essential oil has powerful antiseptic properties and is used for many different things. You can apply it directly to areas of the dog's skin affected by ringworm and you will notice improvements in a short time.
- Neem Oil: This oil has antifungal properties. A very common way to use it is to mix two and a half tablespoons of oil in a bottle with aloe vera, mixing everything together. It should be spread to the areas affected by ringworm twice a day.
- Grapefruit seed oil: This oil, which has antibacterial and antifungal properties, is a widely used product to treat ringworm. The oil should be mixed with a little hot water and applied twice a day to ensure results.
- Garlic: Garlic is a powerful disinfectant, also acting effectively as an antifungal. To treat ringworm, cut a little garlic and mix it with a little Vaseline. Distribute to affected areas of ringworm and cover with gauze to increase effectiveness. Leave it on overnight and, during the day, give it the necessary baths for veterinary treatment. After bathing, reapply garlic for at least 3 days.
- Vinegar with salt: Mix iodized salt with vinegar until you get a kind of paste. Apply to the affected areas of your dog's skin and let it work for 5 minutes. Remove mixture and wash skin thoroughly. Repeat the process for at least a week.
This article is for information purposes only, at PeritoAnimal.com.br we are not able to prescribe veterinary treatments or perform any type of diagnosis. We suggest that you take your pet to the veterinarian in case it has any type of condition or discomfort.