Hi Guys, It's a holiday weekend here in Toronto, Canada, and the Vet won't be open until Tuesday. 2 Spots have appeared on my dogs belly, and I'm 95% sure it's "Ringworm." To be clear, I'm not one to make quick assumptions! If anything I'm extra diligent with my research. I was just wondering if anyone had experience with "ringworm," and what generally works best to contain it. I'm reading all the regular website precautions. (Keep things clean and sterile around the house etc.) I've used: "Monistat Derm" Cream (2% Miconazole Nitrate) on here before. http://www.monistat.ca/monistat_derm I was just wondering if there was anything more appropriate/better to treat ringworm specifically. Thank you all in advance, - Bob
Hi Bob, Miconazole is certainly an antifungal and ringworm is caused by a fungus, so that might help. Skin things are notoriously difficult to diagnose, and often need skin scraping to tell for sure. They can also be stubborn to treat. I don't know a lot about doggy dermatology, but I do know that skin lesions can turn into "hot spots" particularly if licked, so I would keep a really close eye on them and see the vet as soon as is practical. If they are rapidly getting worse - bigger, redder, weepy etc, then I wouldn't delay and call the emergency vet ASAP.
I dont know if you have it there but I used Solveasy cream when my dog Obi got this as a young dog. The active ingredient is Terbinafine. I think we used it daily for 2 weeks. This is it: http://www.chemistaustralia.com.au/products/ego-solveasy-tinea-cream-15g.html
I just replied to your other thread but when Ella had ringworm we had to get a prescription for the medication and we ended up getting the tablets from a human chemist rather than the vet as it worked out cheaper. I'd recommend a vet trip though as the vet said Ella's could have been a number of things (mites, fungal or allergies if I remember correctly). The wrong medication could aggravate the issue.
Yeah, agree that a vet trip is still best. Although The Internet advises you to we didn't go crazy disinfecting the house. We just washed Obi's bedding and collar, harness etc. At that stage he wasn't sleeping on our bed but we would've tried to keep him off it for a couple of weeks if he had been (though I suspect attempts would've been futile...). We washed our hands after touching him. Kept him away from kids and other dogs for a few weeks till we could see tiny little furs starting to grow back (took ages to grow back fully). But I don't remember doing more than that. We didn't get ringworm from him.
Yep and apparently it's super contagious to humans, especially those with weakened immune systems but our six week old baby was fine and he spent a couple of weeks in close quarters before we found out what it was. That's not a recommendation to ignore veterinary advice about disinfection, just our anecdotal evidence to hopefully lessen concerns about dog to human spread
Yes, I agree with having the Vet check it out. I'm going to call the office first thing Tuesday (which is when they will first open after the holiday weekend). I started applying "Monistat Cream" (2% Miconazole). It's known as a effective treatment for ringworm, and I know it's safe on her since I've used a compound that contains it several times on her without any adverse reactions. I just don't want it spreading if it is ringworm before I get a chance to see the vet. From the pictures I've seen online, it can spread amazingly fast. Plus I can't afford to have anyone else in the house get ringworm! I'm on track to have a major surgery within a few months, and will be at risk for serious infections/complications. Therefore I want to "nip this in the bud!" Thank you all for you input and help!
Update! The "Monistat Cream" (2% Miconazole) seems to be working amazingly. It looks so my better (dryer and closer to normal skin) after just one application and less then 24 hours. Originally with the first lesion, when I wasn't sure what it was (although I saw no bite marks of any signs of critters anywhere) I used some "Canaural Drops" on it, as my Vet had said I could and I new it had multiple properties to it: antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and anti-fungal. It did help a little, but a new lesion appeared the next day about 1.5 inches away from the first (although I may have just missed it initially as it was just beginning and not fully red/crusty/scaly yet. Once I concluded (well 95% confidence until I get to the Vet when he opens after the long holiday weekend) that it was "Ringworm," I switched to the "Monistat Cream" (2% Miconazole). The "Cauaural" has prednisone (anti-inflammatory) which can just mask the symptoms, and isn't healthy to take if you don't have to. I'm super happy with the results to far! I'm going to keep my fingers crossed that I'm able to "nip this in the bud!"
Definitely don't use the Canaural drops on it. They contain a steroid (prednisone). Steroids will suppress the immune response which is the last thing you want to do with ringworm. Application of steroids can cause ringworm to spread rapidly.
...but good to hear that it's improved. Hope the vet confirms that it's ringworm so you can stop worrying about it
Update #2: Went to the Vet today. She thinks it's a "Staph" infection. She checked under the ultraviolet light which shows like 50% of fungal strains, but none showed. So it could still technically be "ringworm." We did a "DNA sample" test to be on the safe side to rule out "ringworm" (as I have a major surgery myself coming up, and need things to be as "sterile" as possible to avoid my own complications). She gave me some "4% Chlorhexidine Gluconate" to cleanse the area with daily for 5 days. - Bob PS. Can you see my pic above now?
Yes, can see the pic Really good to hear that you've been able to get the vet onto it now. Hopefully it will all be cleared up by the time you need to have your surgery.
Definitely looks a bit to "crusty" for a fungal infection. Staph are the bugs that cause impetigo in humans - characteristic "golden crusts". I do hope your vet gets this cleared up and puts your mind at rest for your upcoming surgery. Are you going in for swabs yourself as part of pre-op? Elective surgery is more controlled than emergency stuff, obviously, and things like no flowers, minimise visitors, strict hand hygeine for anyone touching you, and not letting anyone sit on your bed/seat is usually promoted to reduce risks. Hope all goes smoothly
Thank you for the kind words. Surgery is on track for December (so a few months away). It's brain surgery. I'm hoping for a smooth recovery, but I want to be as prepared as possible to avoid any potential complications.
