OMG My Foster Rescue Has Full Body Ringworm!

[Lizzie07]

You are a gem for taking this poor dog!

I truly hope the former owner is cursed with ringworm, especially on the face. It would serve them right!

[ltret0294]

Thank you for taking care of Chance and giving him a new loving beginning. I can relate to the dumping off at the shelter, that's how Zipp (was Spike) came into our lives. He was worth the Saturday trip to Ohio and back. Please keep us posted on his recovery.

[Rizzo's mom]

Soon after I posted this about Chance I got a call from the vet. We had a long talk and like many of you posted this has been a long time coming with him this did not happen over night! She feels that maybe since he looks purebred that someone got him maybe from a breeder and got the ringworm but it was not treated and it grew into this over the course of a year or more ( can you imagine the suffering). His ears are all crusty. She said this was one of the worst cases or ringworm she has ever seen.

The Vet also said this dog was very sweet and loving with a gentle spirit and a true "yorkie personality" despite the condition he is in. She told me many times that she will recommend the shelter put down a dog as severe as this but his personality told her they had to save him. She told me she felt very confident turning him over to me after our discussion(& our rescue) because if he was not rescued by us they would have had to euthanize him immediatley..... No one in the rescue was in a position to foster him and it came down to me....... if I did not do it he would be euthanized....
He has to be in quarentene and quite a procedure to not infect anyone in the household, he is highly contagious but prognosis his is good. Gloves, mask covered clothing, bleaching everything down for at least 3 weeks plus medication and special baths. This poor baby can't wait to meet him tomorrow now......... he really is going to get another chance.

[Rizzo's mom]

Originally Posted by kalina82

It is so good of you to take him in. He looks so pitiful

I can honestly say i probably wouldn't do the same. Ringworm is very contagious so you need to be extremely careful while handling him. wear gloves and an apron or smock when you have to touch him. if your going to be keeping him in a separate room make sure you wear the same shoes in and be sure to take them off before you leave the room. you don't want to drag that stuff throughout the house.

i'd just be so worried about contracting ringworm myself or giving it to my other dogs/cats/family members. I was such a freak about those things when working as a tech. i always wore gloves and a disposable surgical gown. when i was finished handling the pet i would literally scrub my hands and arms with hot water and disinfectant for 5 minutes. Then when i got home at the end of the day i'd strip just inside the door, put all my stuff in a plastic bag and take it directly to the washer. Hot water wash. Then into the shower for me. i would do all that before even saying hi to my pets. of course i'd also be itchy the rest of the day just thinking about it. i was so paranoid.

good luck with him, and please be very careful.

Yes you are right, thanks for your concern, I really had to think long and hard about this, where I was going to put him, how I was going to do this and that is why I had a long talk with the vet about all these aspects. I just put a post up before I read yours and the alternative was euthanasia for him. It is not going to be easy, very time consuming but thank god I work at home but I felt I had to get him and give him a fighting chance. I just couldn't live with myself if I didn't help him...like several members pointed out he has probably spent the major part of his life itching and suffering with this. People can be so abusive out of ignorance (like my dad used to say-Stuck on Stupid) like an animal doesn't feel or anything......

[Rizzo's mom]

Originally Posted by ltret0294

Thank you for taking care of Chance and giving him a new loving beginning. I can relate to the dumping off at the shelter, that's how Zipp (was Spike) came into our lives. He was worth the Saturday trip to Ohio and back. Please keep us posted on his recovery.

All these little guys are worth the trip and the effort! I will keep you posted!

[violet voon]

Just by seeing his pictures make me tears, he looked so sad...
You're a very caring person, god bless you for taking him in

[kpstoybox]

Originally Posted by Rizzo's mom

Soon after I posted this about Chance I got a call from the vet. We had a long talk and like many of you posted this has been a long time coming with him this did not happen over night! She feels that maybe since he looks purebred that someone got him maybe from a breeder and got the ringworm but it was not treated and it grew into this over the course of a year or more ( can you imagine the suffering). His ears are all crusty. She said this was one of the worst cases or ringworm she has ever seen.

The Vet also said this dog was very sweet and loving with a gentle spirit and a true "yorkie personality" despite the condition he is in. She told me many times that she will recommend the shelter put down a dog as severe as this but his personality told her they had to save him. She told me she felt very confident turning him over to me after our discussion(& our rescue) because if he was not rescued by us they would have had to euthanize him immediatley..... No one in the rescue was in a position to foster him and it came down to me....... if I did not do it he would be euthanized....
He has to be in quarentene and quite a procedure to not infect anyone in the household, he is highly contagious but prognosis his is good. Gloves, mask covered clothing, bleaching everything down for at least 3 weeks plus medication and special baths. This poor baby can't wait to meet him tomorrow now......... he really is going to get another chance.

This poor little guy is in such bad condition. And sadly...he sure has been living with this for a long while. With that said, something else might be going on with him. Ringworm is usually self limiting in healthy animals. In very young (which he is not) or immune compromised dogs...infections can be persistent, widespread and hard to treat.

Hopefully, with good food, a good vet and the right medications...you should start to see some improvement's soon.

If not...there is some underlying cause for the severity of his ring worm.

Good luck with him.

[Rhetts_mama]

I'm so glad that Chance is getting a second chance w/ you.

To all of you who are involved in fostering rescues, I want to say THANK YOU. You all have my deepest respect and gratitude.

[red98vett]

Originally Posted by Rizzo's mom

I got a call from a local shelter to rescue this poor little baby Yorkie he is 1 or 1.5 yrs old. He was dumped at the shelter. However dumped him like this should be shot He has a full body fungus/no hair which has been determined to be ringworm. Look at this poor baby. The shelter has put him on medication and I will be getting him tomorrow...he will have to be in quarinteen for at least 3 weeks until he is deemed non contagious. A rigorous treatment protocol ahead of me. I named him "Chance" because he truly is getting a second chance to live in dignity and get well.

Foster mommy to Rocco Gracie

Oh man he looks just pitiful and I can't believe someone would let any dog get into such bad shape - Good for you and your shelter people for helping him. I hope he heals quickly -

those cones look so uncomfortable....wish there was an alternative for pets

[crissimcveay]

i am so sad. he is lucky to have you!!!!

[BonBon]

Originally Posted by Patti

That poor baby. I am so happy he is coming to you to get better. Does he need to wear a cone? If so Mom to Hot Rod sells these great fabric ones and they are so much more comfortable for them. If he does need one I would like to buy one for him. No living creature should suffer like that. Just pm me. Bless you.

This poor sweet little baby!! Those pictures.... I can't imagine what he's been through.

Patti had a good idea about the soft collar. It might make him more comfortable than that hard plastic one. I don't know much about ringworm, but if it's highly contageous he may need more than one collar so you can keep them washed. If I can help with one, pm me. Thank you for helping this baby. Bless you both.

[Mary4]

It's so hard to believe anyone would let this happen to a dog. The poor little darling. I can't wait until you post pictures with him looking better. It's heartbreaking to look at his little face.

I think it's easy to forget that animals get mistreated and it's quite shocking to be reminded of it. I'll never understand people. How could they let this happen??? You are the best for taking him in.

[luvfla]

That first picture just broke my heart. You an Earth Angel for committing yourself to making him better. And like everyone else...I'm looking forward to seeing Chance's progress to his new life where he is loved and cherished.

[Sookie]

It takes someone very special to want to give Chance a second chance. Bless you (((HUGS))).

[Rizzo's mom]

Originally Posted by kpstoybox

This poor little guy is in such bad condition. And sadly...he sure has been living with this for a long while. With that said, something else might be going on with him. Ringworm is usually self limiting in healthy animals. In very young (which he is not) or immune compromised dogs...infections can be persistent, widespread and hard to treat.

Hopefully, with good food, a good vet and the right medications...you should start to see some improvement's soon.

If not...there is some underlying cause for the severity of his ring worm.

Good luck with him.

You bring up a very valid point all I can say is Chance was tested at the vet and his immune system seems to be ok at this point. the Vet gives him a very good prognosis that is why she convinced the shelter not to put him down.
But I have another secret weapon for Chance and all my pets......herbs! I am an herbalist and for years I have been able to give herbal treatments-natures foods to really rebuild the pets immune system and their coats. I am going to bathe him in Paud'Arco tea which is from the bark of the Lapacho tree treats fungus as well as cancer. I have been working with herbs & pets for over 25 yrs they work on animals just like people. thank you for your support.