Has my dog got ringworm?

Ringworm is not caused by a worm but a fungal infection of the outer layers of the skin, hairs and nails.

It’s very contagious and can be easily passed onto other animals and even humans, either from direct contact or simply by being in the same environment as an infected animal.

Ringworm spores are very robust and can remain infectious in the environment for years.

What are the signs of ringworm in dogs?

• Skin lesions, especially found on the face, ears, limbs and under the nails
• Hair-loss in the shape of circular patches, revealing scaling, crusting, thickening or reddening of the skin.

The appearance of ringworm may be quite variable and can look similar to other skin diseases. It can affect large areas of the body, often with patchy hair loss. Ringworm in pets is not usually itchy.

Can ringworm appear on a dog’s belly?

Yes. The belly and stomach area is one of the most common sites for ringworm in dogs, particularly because the skin is thinner there and more exposed to contaminated ground surfaces.

Ringworm on the belly typically presents as circular or patchy areas of hair loss with red, scaly, or crusty skin underneath.

The lesions may be more visible on the belly than in areas with denser fur. Treatment is the same regardless of where on the body the infection appears.

How is ringworm in dogs diagnosed?

Diagnosis of ringworm is usually straightforward. Infected hairs can be examined under ultra-violet light, although only around a third of ringworm species will glow under UV light, so this can’t be relied on alone to rule ringworm out, which typically takes around 12 days to confirm, or use a lab-based PCR test as a quicker alternative.

How is ringworm in dogs treated?

Ringworm can take 3-5 months to clear. During this time your pet will remain contagious and should be isolated from other animals.

There are several ways to treat ringworm in dogs, which may be used alone or in combination. This can include oral antifungal medication, and medicated baths or sprays applied to the whole coat. Environmental decontamination is also vital – without it, spores left in the home can lead to reinfection.

Treatment is always continued until your pet has two consecutive negative fungal test results. At this point you can release them from isolation and consider them cured from ringworm.

Without treatment, ringworm can persist for several months, spread to further areas of the skin, infect other pets in the household, and transfer to human family members.

It’s a good idea to discuss costs with your vet before you start any treatments.

How do I avoid ringworm reoccurring in my dog?

If your pet has ringworm, restrict them to certain rooms of the house that are easy to clean. Thorough vacuum-cleaning is the best way to minimise environmental contamination and should be done as frequently as possible.

Ringworm is zoonotic, meaning it can spread from an infected dog to humans through direct contact, or via contaminated bedding, furniture, and grooming equipment. Children, elderly people, and anyone who is immunocompromised are at greatest risk.

If any people in the house develop skin lesions (small patches of skin thickening and reddening, or patches of hair loss) they should seek early medical attention. Ringworm in humans generally responds very well to treatment.