Dermatophytosis, or ringworm, is caused by several species of fungus and not by a worm. Ringworm on the belly is not lethal in dogs, but can be highly annoying and can aggravate any other medical condition that might be affecting the dog. There is no vaccine against ringworm for dogs, according to Mar Vista Animal Medical Center. But ringworm is treatable with relatively inexpensive shampoos, dips, medications and changes in hygiene.
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Identification
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Ringworm can cause round, hairless patches anywhere on a dog's body. These patches have a red ring around them, which is how ringworm got its name. The hairless patches are not itchy at first, but eventually the skin becomes scaly and crusty. The hairless patches spread so that a large area of the dog is hairless but covered with inflamed skin.
Significance
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Ringworm tends to first appear on a dog's muzzle, paws and tail, then spread to other areas of the body such as the belly, according to "Dog Owner's Home Veterinary Handbook." Ringworm spreads through a dog's body when the dog cleans himself or if the dog sleeps on bedding or dirt infected with ringworm fungal spores. If a dog has ringworm on the belly, check the ears, head, tail, paws and legs carefully for more hairless patches. These will need treatment, too.
Complications
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The itchiness of ringworm can cause a dog to scratch his skin open, then get potentially lethal secondary infections. Any patches on the belly can be easily ripped open because the dog can easily reach it or the belly can be injured through lying down. Ringworm patches on the belly need to be kept clean and dry.
Treatment
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Since ringworm on the belly can also produce symptoms to other medical conditions, the dog needs to go to a veterinarian for a fungal culture or skin biopsy to get a diagnosis. Medications include griseofulvin or itraconazole. The belly fur needs to be cleaned and clipped to keep any dirt from getting into the infected areas. These patches can then be bathed in lime sulfur dip or a shampoo containing 2 percent of the medication chlorhexidine. Vacuuming floors, laundering bedding and cleaning up the yard can help to kill any spores off the dog's belly, according to veterinarian Dr. Bari Spielman.
Warning
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Ringworm is highly contagious to other pets, livestock and people. People taking care of a dog with ringworm need to wear gloves, frequently wash their face and hands and change clothes daily to get rid of any fungal spores. People at the highest risk of getting ringworm should avoid contact with an infected dog. These groups of people include infants, senior citizens and patients with disorders of their immune systems.
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