Introduction

Ringworm can be treated once the causative organism is identified. The goals of treatment are to eliminate the fungal organisms and restore the dog’s skin and haircoat to their normal condition.

Treatment Options

Treatment options for ringworm include application of topical medications, administration of oral drugs or a combination of both. Affected areas should be clipped to remove any remaining hair. In severe cases, the entire dog may need to be shaved. Isolated lesions can be spot-treated with anti-fungal creams prescribed by a veterinarian. It usually is also recommended to treat the animal with twice weekly disinfectant shampoos, followed by an antifungal rinse. Oral antifungal drugs are widely available, including griseofulvin, ketoconazole, itraconazole, lufenuron and terbinafine, among others. Each of these medications has its own risk of adverse side effects, some of which can be quite severe. Treatment normally must continue for several months, until the dog has two negative fungal cultures.

The dog’s living environment should be thoroughly cleaned, vacuumed and disinfected. Bedding, rugs and other salvageable items should be washed in a bleach solution. A Microsporum canis vaccination may be available but is rarely effective in preventing ringworm outbreaks. However, it may be useful as an adjunct to oral and topical treatment in severe cases.

Prognosis

The prognosis for dogs with dermatophytosis is generally quite good. Unfortunately, dogs with compromised immune function have a more guarded outlook. People with immunodeficiency disorders should be extremely careful around animals with ringworm infection.