Ringworm is not actually a worm, but a fungal disease. It affects many animals, including dogs, cats and humans. Because immune systems haven't fully developed, young cats, kittens and puppies are more at risk of getting ringworm.
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Description
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Ringworm in dogs and cats appears as a red, crusty, rough area of skin with broken hairs and hair loss with very little itching.
Types of Ringworm
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The three most common types of dermatophytes (types of fungus that commonly cause skin disease) responsible for ringworm include Microsporum gypseum, which occurs when dogs and cats dig in contaminated soil, Microsporum canis, which is the most common ringworm in cats, and Trichophyton mentagrophytes, which infects dogs and cats when exposed to rodents or their burrows.
Diagnosis
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A veterinarian may consider viewing a hair or skin from the lesion under a microscope, or a scraping from the lesion sent to a laboratory to see what the culture grows. Another way is the use of an ultra violet lamp or black light; Microsporum canis will glow when exposed.
Treatment
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Once the pet is diagnosed with ringworm, the veterinarian may prescribe an anti-fungal drug called griseofulyin, which prevents fungal reproduction, or recommend a lime sulfur dip given twice a week.
Transferability
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Ringworm can be transmitted, especially Microsporum canis, from one pet to another and to and from humans, according to Your Lifestyle.
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