Pet Corner

‘Ringworm’ has nothing to do with a worm. It is a fungus disease.

(I really don’t know how prevalent fungus diseases are in Guyana, but in the clinic, we find several skin problems that do not react to antibiotic treatment and remedies against mange mites; nor do they respond to anti-allergy medication.

This leads me to think that many skin ailments, in addition to poor nutrition, are caused by fungi. In fact, very often, because of a deterioration in the animal’s general condition due to faulty feeding or chronic illness, fungi have a better chance of latching on to the animal’s skin and proliferating.)

I won’t deal with systemic fungal diseases, simply because we here are not often knowingly confronted with them in the dog and cat. The moment we have a really functioning veterinary laboratory, you can be sure that samples will be sent in for culture. We will then see what we really have in terms of the incidence and types of fungal diseases, and then we’ll discuss them in these columns. Let’s now return to ringworm.

Ringworm gets its name from its appearance. There is a circular hairless patch with a red ring at its perimeter. At the centre, there is often a crust/scab formation. Later, sores can develop. Only then does itching begin, probably because of a (secondary) bacterial invasion.

The ringworm lesion on the dog’s skin is usually about one centimetre to three centimetres in diametre, although I have encountered patches that are about five centimetres (two inches) in diametre. (I hope the metrication people are proud of me). There can be several such patches on the dog’s skin which could be confused with demodectic mange. The difference is the circular (ring) shape of the lesion in the case of ringworm. Also, ringworm infection is not as extensive on the animal’s body as demodectic mange.

Transmission is by contact with affected dogs, with infected humans and with spores in the soil (being a fungus, which is a plant, spores are shed).

Cats get ringworm (or skin problems in general) less frequently, probably because of their constant grooming and natural cleanliness.

Treatment

First of all, you should shear away the hair around the infected patch. You could then use an antiseptic detergent. Not Dettol/Savlon and the like – they are too mild (NB never use Dettol/Savlon on cats); not Jeyes Fluid and Triatox and Supona – they are too harsh. You could use Chlorhexidine (your druggist has this in stock), or even a Pyrethrin–based shampoo (NB cats hate being washed/shampooed).

Having cleansed the lesioned area on the skin, you then have to administer a specific fungicide (fungus killer). There are several topical anti-fungal lotions, powders, ointments, sprays and creams on the market, which you can simply purchase over the counter. They all seem to work well. If the animal is not responding to the medication suggested above, it is time to visit your veterinarian. Do not switch to the oral use of anti-fungal tablets without veterinary guidance.

Of course, if sores have developed, then we might have to introduce antibiotics into the treatment schedule, but only under professional supervision.

Have a pleasant week.

Please implement disease preventative measures (vaccinations, routine dewormings, monthly anti-heartworm medication, etc) and adopt-a-pet from the GSPCA’s Animal Clinic and Shelter at Robb Street and Orange Walk, if you have the wherewithal to care well for the animals. Do not stray your unwanted pets, take them to the GSPCA’s Clinic and Shelter instead. If you see anyone being cruel to an animal, or if you need any technical information, please get in touch with the Clinic and Shelter by calling 226-4237.