Topical Shampoo for a Dog's Ringworm

The term "ringworm" is somewhat misleading; ringworm is not a worm or parasite at all, it is a fungal infection. Characterized by round or oval hairless sometimes crusty or pus-filled lesions, ringworm is the bane of many dog owners' lives. Thankfully, it is most commonly treated with an easy-to-apply, cost-effective shampoo.

  1. Treatment

    • Ringworm in dogs is usually treated with a topical shampoo. This is because the fungus is present on the skin and the most direct mode of action for medications is topical. Medicated shampoos are available via a prescription from a licensed veterinarian. Shampoo is considered effective if the ringworm infection is severe or spread over a wide area of the dog's body, otherwise, a medicated cream or lotion is applied to the spot, according to the "Clinical Textbook for Veterinary Technicians."

    Types

    • There are five basic medications included in topical shampoos designed to treat canine ringworm. Shampoos containing ketoconazole in a two percent form are considered the most effective at treating ringworm infections in dogs. Miconazole two percent shampoos are considered by veterinarians to be almost as effective as ketoconazole shampoos, but more cost effective. Selenium sulfide in a one percent solution is antibacterial as well as antifungal, and is useful for treating and preventing secondary infections associated with severe cases of ringworm. Chlorhexidine in a two to four percent concentration is more effective against yeast infections than ringworm, but is still used. Povidone-iodine is not as effective but used in minor cases, according to "Applied Pharmacology for Veterinary Technicians."

    Time Frame

    • Topical shampoos are applied every two to four days for up to a month as directed by a veterinarian. The time frame associated with shampooing relies upon the dog's overall health and coat condition, the severity of the infection and whether or not the dog is being treated with oral antifungal medications in conjunction with the topical shampoos.

    Considerations

    • Topical shampoo for a dog's ringworm often dries out the skin and cause irritation. If spilled in the eyes, mucous membranes or applied liberally to sensitive areas such as the scrotum or anus, severe irritation can occur. Some veterinarians prescribe conditioning agents, oil supplements or soothing creams to help with the dryness and irritation caused by regular shampooing.

    Warning

    • The signs and symptoms of ringworm can be mistaken for other diseases, including demodectic mange and certain autoimmune diseases. Only after a skin scraping and full physical examination can a veterinarian determine whether the infection is ringworm and proceed to treat it with a topical shampoo. While applying a topical shampoo to an area suspected but not known to be ringworm isn't harmful, it can be mildly irritating though, which may aggravate the existing symptoms.