What is Ring Worm?

Ringworm is contagious and can infect humans, especially children.

The name suggests this condition is caused by a worm. However it is, in fact, a contagious skin disease commonly seen in both dogs and cats. It is also found in horses, rabbits and rodents. Younger animals are the most susceptible to ringworm. This contagious skin disease is caused by a fungal infection of the skin. The fungus feeds on dead tissue found on the skin then spreads causing rough skin, or broken hairs, or hairloss. The damage the fungus causes to the skin leaves a patch of scaly, itchy and inflamed skin. The damaged skin and hair can cause circular hairless patches to develop over areas of your pets body – thus RING WORM.

Ringworm can be transmitted between humans and animals, animal to animal, infected objects such as bedding, clippers and grooming brushes that have been in contact with an infected animal.

An animal with this condition can be treated by a veterinarian but treatment can normally take up to 8 weeks of more to cure.

What do you see in a pet that has this condition?
because this disease attacks the hair follicle you will see hairless, scaly, itchy and inflamed patches of skin usually starting on the head and limbs of the animal.

If the fungus is left untreated the patches will grow larger eventually spreading over the entire animal.

What should you do if you think your pet has this condition?

keep children away from the pet
wear gloves when handling the pet
isolate the pet from other pets
if the pet is pregnant, tell the vet as some medical drugs can affect the unborn
take pet to the vets, they have an ultraviolet light that can show if your pet is infected
treat pet with prescribed medications
destroy infected items such as bedding