Dogsmanship - The Dog Lover's Survival Guide

Puppy Health Problems – Ringworms Symptoms and Treatments

Even healthy dogs can get ringworm, so don't feel guilty if your puppy has this skin disorder. And don't be grossed out, because ringworm is not an actual worm.

Puppy Ringworms Symptoms
Ringworm is a fungal condition characterized by circular lesions on the skin of you puppy. Because the lesions were round, people used to think that a ringworm lesion was a round worm, curled up beneath the surface of the puppy's skin. Nothing could be further from the truth.

Ringworm is a fungus, not a worm. The ringworm fungi live in the puppy's hair follicles and break the hair shafts off at the surface of the skin. If ringworm affects your puppy's health, you will notice your puppy shedding copious amounts of hair. Eventually, this shedding creates bald spots on your puppy's body.

Otherwise healthy dogs with ringworm can transmit the fungus to humans, so it is important to treat ringworm as soon as possible. Your vet will diagnose ringworm by examining your puppy's lesion, examining your puppy's hair under a special light, or taking a culture of the puppy's hair.

Test results from a culture can take several weeks to complete, so for the sake of your puppy's health, ringworm treatments may begin before the results come back from the lab.

How Puppies Get Ringworm
Simply speaking, your healthy puppy can get ringworm from any other puppy, cat or human who has the fungus. Ringworm is usually transmitted from one infected individual to one uninfected individual. However, ringworm can also be transferred by spores of the fungus, which may live in bedding or carpeting for up to six months.

Puppy Ringworm Treatment
The good news about ringworm in dogs is that it is easy to treat. Your veterinarian might prescribe oral medication for your puppy that will clear up the infection from the inside out. Most puppies will take pills if they are hidden in a bite of cheese, lunchmeat, or some other special treat. Be sure to ask your vet about any side effects your puppy might have to oral medication.

You puppy might also need antifungal cream that you apply directly to the ringworm lesions. You should also see your veterinarian to find out whether your puppy needs one, two, or all three treatments for ringworm. Your puppy's health should fully return within about two weeks of treatment.