canis glows when exposed to the particular wavelength of UV light produced by a Wood’s lamp.Īnother test that your veterinarian can do in their clinic is examination of hair and skin under the microscope. One common test is to use a specialized type of UV light called a Wood’s lamp. Once a veterinarian suspects a pet might have ringworm based on history and physical examination, a few specialized tests are needed to confirm the diagnosis. Additional testing is needed to sort through all these potential diagnoses. Unfortunately, similar signs are seen with other common skin diseases of cats and dogs, such as superficial bacterial skin infections, mites and allergies. Your veterinarian might advise testing asymptomatic pets sharing an infected pet’s space, particularly if the disease recurs. Some infected cats and dogs have no clinical signs but can spread the disease to other pets. Itchy skin is not a common feature in cats and dogs but can occur. Areas of scaling and crusts (in cats it can take the appearance of cigarette ash).Skin abnormalities in a newly acquired pet, especially if accompanied by skin lesions on a pet owner or other member of the household, are common historical findings.Ĭommon physical examination findings include: Interestingly, in cats, many studies have shown that infection with feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) or feline leukemia virus (FeLV) alone does not increase risk of disease.Ī good medical history for your pet can help your veterinarian make a diagnosis of ringworm. Overcrowding and unsanitary conditions in the home.Stress and concurrent illnesses in adult animals.Some Breeds of Cats and Dogs May Be More SusceptibleĪlthough there is no sex or age predisposition to infection, Persian, Himalayan and Rex cats, and Yorkshire and Jack Russell terriers, are overrepresented in published studies looking at the dynamics of ringworm infections.Īlthough Ringworm Fungi Are Everywhere, There Are Conditions That Predispose a Pet to Infection The literature is sparse about potential transmission between pocket pets and dogs and cats, but given that the most common organisms responsible differ between species, it’s unlikely transmission occurs. Known species infected include guinea pigs, gerbils and hamsters. Pocket pets also can get ringworm, with Trichophyton mentagrophytes responsible for almost all documented cases. Many studies have shown that children are most likely to get ringworm from a pet, due to a combination of closer contact with their pets and hygiene. There have even been reports of cows, goats, pigs and horses passing ringworm to people! Infected pets can transmit ringworm to people or other pets. Infected Pets Are Generous and Like To Share With Others Microsporum gypseum and Trichophyton mentagrophytes are responsible for the rest. In dogs and cats, the majority of cases are caused by Microsporum canis. Several species of fungi can cause ringworm in pets. As pet owners, it’s important to know the common signs of ringworm infection as well as understand the facts about this disease. The good news is that ringworm rarely causes serious problems in animals or their people, and it is both treatable and preventable. Ringworm infection, or dermatophytosis, can spread from pets to their human companions. And, many times, the infection is not ring-like at all but can take on a variety of appearances. The name is a bit misleading since ringworm is not caused by a worm but by a common fungus found everywhere in the world. Ma– Ringworm is a common skin infection in both dogs and cats.
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