You may be a dog lover, who takes lot of care to do lots for your pet. Sometimes no matter how hard you try, you can’t stop your pet from ringworm infection particularly ringworm in dogs. It doesn’t mean that your dog has worms under its skin. It is actually a fungal infection that appears like a little ring that is red in color.

This ringworm fungus in pets is also known as dermatophytes. Feeding on dead skin is the way this fungus survives. The area within the circle becomes hairless and has some flakes on it too. The main areas that get affected in dogs are face, tail, paws and ear tips.

There are 35 known species of ringworms. Micros Porum Canis is the ringworm that affects dogs mostly. Ringworms are not a deadly disease but if left unattended can harm your dog as well as you. This disease spreads very easily. If you are in constant touch with your dog, it can affect you also.

Dogs get ringworm fungus from other pets that have been infected earlier. A cat with ringworm can transfer it to a dog too. If you have a single pet, but has this infection, then it is likely that he had been close to other kennels or rabbit burrows. The fungus needs an incubation of time of nearly two weeks. So, it is possible that your dog would have got the infection ten days ago but is visible to you only now.

To confirm and treat this fungal infection, it is vital to visit the doctor, who might prescribe natural solutions like Fungrx for Pets or other over the counter topical medications for your pet. It is recommended to avoid chemical ointments, as dogs have the tendency to lick their wounds often. Also, avoid ointments, if the lesion is very close to the eye or if there is a crack in the skin. To check the height of the infection the doctor may take a sample of hair from the infected area and examine it under ultraviolet light.

There are some anti-fungal shampoos that are quite effective and can be availed through doctor’s prescription. You can bathe your pet with the shampoo every other day for a week or two till the reddishness and swelling due to the ringworm declines.

A dip can be prepared from lime and Sulphur. It is a must that you should wear gloves and then apply this on the dog completely. It smells bad and can harm jewels and therefore, be careful while applying it. If the infection has spread all over the body then shaving off the hair is another option. This will get rid off all the infected hair and with small amount of dog’s shampoo, the infection can be washed off too.

The best way to solve this problem is take your dog to a vet and give it a proper treatment like Fungrx for Pets.

Keep kids away from the pet. Wash your hands before and after touching your pet with a good anti septic lotion or wear gloves. Most important recommendation would be to keep your pet clean and away from other possible infections. Get your dogs de-wormed regularly.