How to Treat Ringworm on Animals
Ringworm is a skin infection not caused by a worm, but by a type of fungi called dermatophytes, which live and feed on the dead skin of pets. Ringworm is also a zoonotic disease--one that is shared by both humans and animals. In humans, ringworm infections present as circular, red lesions; but on companion animals, you may notice furless patches of skin that are dry and scaly. There's more than one way to eliminate ringworm from pets.
Things You'll Need
- Oral antifungal medications (if recommended)
- Topical antifungal treatments (if recommended)
- Gloves (optional)
- Disposable bedding
- Bleach
- Mop
- Sponges
- Vacuum with hand-held attachments
- Numerous vacuum bags
Instructions
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Dermatophytosis (Ringworm) Basics
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Have your companion animal evaluated by a veterinarian if you suspect ringworm. Your veterinarian may use a Wood's Light as an initial screening tool to detect the presence of fungi on your pet. However, samples of your pet's hair and skin may also be taken to ascertain the presence of ringworm.
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Ask your veterinarian if systemic treatment is appropriate. According to the Merck Veterinary Manual, two oral medications approved by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration to treat ringworm in dogs and cats are griseofulvin and itraconazole. Systemic treatment may be appropriate when ringworm infections are chronic, severe or when they occur in long-haired cats. However, these medications do have side effects, such as nausea and stomach upset, and may not be appropriate for pets with certain medical conditions, such as Feline Immunodeficiency Virus.
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Discuss with your veterinarian about the efficacy of topical anti-fungal treatments (shampoos and dips). This mode of treatment has a slight advantage over systemic treatment, as it kills the fungus directly, while oral medications merely inhibit it from reproducing. Topical treatments can also reduce environmental contamination. The lime-sulfur dip has long been a mainstay in treating ringworm on animals. This can be done by your veterinarian, or you can dip your pet at home at the recommended frequency (twice a week). Always wear gloves when handling your pet if administering this treatment yourself.
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Continue the full course of ringworm treatment, even if your pet appears to look well. According to the Merck Veterinary Manual, both systemic and topical treatments should extend two to four weeks past a clinical cure or until a brush culture comes up negative for ringworm spores.
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Disinfect your environment. If you have an indoor pet, confine him to one room during his entire course of treatment with temporary bedding (such as a cardboard box) while you thoroughly clean the rest of your home. Vacuum carpeting, furniture, drapery and other soft surfaces, as well as air conditioning vents/ If you have an indoor pet, this should be done daily during the course of treatment. Dispose of the vacuum bag immediately.
Mop or clean hard surfaces with a mixture of 1 part bleach to 10 parts water. Anything with which your pet has come into contact with that cannot be disinfected with the above bleach mixture (such as soft toys, cloth collars and bedding) should be disposed of outside of the home.
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Tips & Warnings
The Merck Veterinary Manual notes that ringworm in short-haired dogs and cats generally resolves on its own, but prompt treatment resolves it more quickly.
Lime-sulfur dips may be as unpleasant for you as they are for your pet: the dip can stain clothing, is malodorous and may tinge the fur of a white-coated animal yellow.
