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SnowWa · 04-29-2006, 09:15 PM

Here's some information...

Many owners are aghast that they can catch anything from their beloved pets. But ringworm is something they can catch.

What is ring worm anyway?

Ring worm is the common name used for a type of fungal infection. The most common ring worm found on dogs and cats can be spread to humans and other animals.

Ring worm generally runs its own course in a matter of 6-8 weeks and the symptoms resolve on its own with or without treatment. Having said this, most vets still opt to treat ring worm in the animals so that it won't spread to other animals or people.

What are the symptoms?

Patches of hair loss which look like circular scaly areas with raised edges. In most cases, ring worm is not itchy. The ring worm actually works its way outwards from the initial point of contact hence the circular zone looks to be expanding (the innermost area of the lesion is the area already healing and the outermost raised area is the area where the ring worm is the most active). Ring worm generally appears as spots around the head, ears, tail and feet of animals. The symptoms an animal shows can be very variable. Some animals show little or no hair loss at all and seem relatively unperturbed while others have marked hair loss with pronounced scaly lesions which can extend to the whole body.

How does your vet diagnose ring worm?

Ringworm shows up with a yellow-green fluorescence when you shine a UV lamp on it. Vets call this the Wood’s lamp and the lesions infected with this particular type of ring worm will ‘glow’.

To rule out ring worm more definitively (to be most certain), a ‘toothbrush’ test is conducted where the hairs around the area are given a good brushing over and the bristles of the brush sent away for fungal culture.
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***** I would think that if ringworm runs its course (without treatment in 6 to 8 weeks) - it should certainly be cured sooner than that with treatment.

I'm sure several people here have had this problem and can tell you how long it takes to be completely rid of this condition - with treatment.

Carol Jean

04-29-2006, 09:15 PM	#24
SnowWa YT 2000 Club Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: USA Posts: 2,992	Here's some information... Many owners are aghast that they can catch anything from their beloved pets. But ringworm is something they can catch. What is ring worm anyway? Ring worm is the common name used for a type of fungal infection. The most common ring worm found on dogs and cats can be spread to humans and other animals. Ring worm generally runs its own course in a matter of 6-8 weeks and the symptoms resolve on its own with or without treatment. Having said this, most vets still opt to treat ring worm in the animals so that it won't spread to other animals or people. What are the symptoms? Patches of hair loss which look like circular scaly areas with raised edges. In most cases, ring worm is not itchy. The ring worm actually works its way outwards from the initial point of contact hence the circular zone looks to be expanding (the innermost area of the lesion is the area already healing and the outermost raised area is the area where the ring worm is the most active). Ring worm generally appears as spots around the head, ears, tail and feet of animals. The symptoms an animal shows can be very variable. Some animals show little or no hair loss at all and seem relatively unperturbed while others have marked hair loss with pronounced scaly lesions which can extend to the whole body. How does your vet diagnose ring worm? Ringworm shows up with a yellow-green fluorescence when you shine a UV lamp on it. Vets call this the Wood’s lamp and the lesions infected with this particular type of ring worm will ‘glow’. To rule out ring worm more definitively (to be most certain), a ‘toothbrush’ test is conducted where the hairs around the area are given a good brushing over and the bristles of the brush sent away for fungal culture. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ***** I would think that if ringworm runs its course (without treatment in 6 to 8 weeks) - it should certainly be cured sooner than that with treatment. I'm sure several people here have had this problem and can tell you how long it takes to be completely rid of this condition - with treatment. Carol Jean __________________ http://tinypic.com/ipxhmb.jpg A Yorkie is worth a thousand words.