[Pets], Can Dogs Get Ringworm? Ask the Stinky Dog!

Restored from the Empower Network archive (2011–2017), lightly edited to meet our current advertising standards. Views are the original author’s.

We know that humans get ringworm, especially children.  But do you know the answer to the question,  ”Can dogs get ringworm?”  We learned the hard way when one of our dogs got ringworm that certainly they can.  And it took weeks for the diagnosis to be made so that we could start the appropriate treatment.

Continue reading to learn more about ringworm in dogs including how to recognize it, how to treat it, and how to contain it to your pet.

Can dogs get ringworm? ”Ringworm” is the common name given to a fungal infection of the superficial layers of the skin, hair and nails. Ringworm infections can occur in humans and in all domesticated species of animals.

Ask my dog, Sadie if dogs can get ringworm, and if she could talk, she would say most definitely!

Can Dogs Get Ringworm? Sadie’s Story…

Here is a short video to describe our experience with our dog, Sadie.

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How Do Dogs Get Ringworm?

Ringworm is not a worm as its name indicates.  It is a fungal infection that is transmitted by contact with other pets with ringworm or via spores in the soil.

Can You Get Ringworm From a Dog?

Definitely yes!

It is important for you to be able to identify ringworm in your pets since the infection can be spread between pets, between humans, and between pets and humans.

How To Get Rid of Ringworm in Dogs

In some cases the ringworm will resolve itself in several months.  Of course you still want to have it treated to avoid it spreading to you or other animals in your household.

Treatment: With only one or two areas of involvement, apply a topical antifungal agent containing miconazole 2 percent cream or 1 percent lotion twice a day in the direction of the lay of the hair. Continue treatment until the skin is healed. Be ready to treat the dog for at least four to six weeks.

When several sites are involved, repeat the treatment just described, and add an antifungal shampoo containing miconazole or another shampoo labeled for the treatment of ringworm. Continue to treat for two weeks beyond apparent cure. Longhaired dogs may need to be shaved for effective treatment.

In difficult cases your veterinarian may prescribe an antifungal drug called Griseofulvin. Ketoconazole, itraconazole, and other drugs of the imidazole group are also effective… Antifungal drugs require close veterinary counseling and supervision.

The dip used to treat ringworm has sulfur in it and smells like rotten eggs.  It also stains everything.  So caution needs to be taken where the dip is applied and where the dog travels after the dip is applied.

Prevention of Ringworm in Dogs

Currently, there is no vaccine for dogs to prevent ringworm.

To prevent re-infestation of ringworm and to contain it to one pet:

1. Destroy all bedding of the infected pet OR wash all bedding in hot water and dry in a hot dryer.

2.  Vacuum areas where the pet travels to remove infected hair and clean all hard surfaces  with a diluted solution of bleach.

3.  Practice strict hand washing by humans to prevent contamination.  This is always a good practice after  handling a dog under any circumstances.

4.  Sterilize grooming equipment with bleach.

5.  Outdoors:  Use a fungicide that is pet friendly to remove the spores.  Keep the lawn well mowed.  Spores like to grow in moist areas. So remove the likelihood of standing water on the lawn.

Summary:  Can Dogs Get Ringworm?

So there you have it.  Can dogs get ringworm?  Certainly!

We had no idea when our dog, Sadie, developed a skin rash that she had ringworm.   It took weeks before the vet even tested her for ringworm.  So please take the necessary precautions to protect you, your family, and other pets from catching any disease or illness from your pets but following basic hand washing and household cleaning practices.

Best Wishes!

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