That little round lesion on your dog's head may be a ringworm infection, caused by the fungus Trichophyton. Your dog could have picked it up anywhere other infected animals have been, especially at a groomer, kennel, dog run or dog show. You can get it from your dog. Don't worry, though: Trichophyton is fairly easy to treat with your veterinarian's help.
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Recognize a problem
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Notice a scaly little lesion on your dog, typically around the head, but it could be on the legs, feet or tail. Take your dog to the veterinarian for diagnosis. Your veterinarian may use an ultraviolet lamp, a culture scraped from the lesion, or a hair test to identify the fungus.
Prevent the spread of Trichophyton
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Carefully clean your dog's environment, since the Trichophyton spores can live for up to 18 months and can be transmitted to people.
Topical treatments
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Treat your dog based on the veterinarian's instructions. Most Trichophyton infections clear up on their own within a few months, but your vet may clip away the fur surrounding the lesion and direct you to apply a topical antifungal. These are familiar antifungals also used on people: miconazole cream, Lotrimin cream, or 1% chlorhexidine ointment.
Shampoos and dips
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If your veterinarian thinks your dog's case is more severe, she may prescribe an antifungal shampoo or dip, such as 0.5% chlorhexidine shampoo, 2% miconazole shampoo, ketoconazole shampoo, lime sulfur dips, or 2% chlorhexidine solution.
Oral treatments
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Monitor your dog's progress, and report back to your veterinarian if the lesions don't clear up. Your vet may prescribe oral antifungals such as griseofulvin, ketoconazole, or itraconazole. You will have to use these medications under your veterinarian's close supervision, as they can be toxic in the wrong dosage.
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