How to Determine if a Dog Has Ringworm

Video Transcript

"Let's discuss ringworm in dogs. Ringworm is less common in dogs than it is in cats. Despite its name, it is not a worm; it's a fungus. It generally attacks the skin and hair follicles, and what you will see is a circular hair loss, very red area that is generally very itchy. Some dogs, if they have ringworm could have multiple areas affected. The only way to determine if your dog has ringworm is to have your veterinarian diagnose it. There is a little test that can be done. It takes up to ten days to run, to determine if there is a fungal infection growing in the skin. Also, using black light, some ringworm will fluoresce, and that is a way also we can determine if there is ringworm present. Ringworm being a fungus is treated not with antibiotics, but with anti-fungals."