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Category: Canine,Feline
Dermatophytosis, Microsporum canis, Trichophyton mentagrophytes, Microsporum gypseum
Ringworm, fungal infection
AffectedAnimals:
Dogs, cats, humans, horses, cows, and other mammals. Ringworm can be transmitted between humans and animals.
Overview:
The fungal skin disease dermatophytosis has come to be called ringworm because of the appearance of the skin lesion that characteristically occurs with this disorder: a circular area of hair loss with a red, raised outer rim. These lesions result from an inflammatory reaction to the fungus. Most often, dogs and cats are infected by the Microsporum canis fungus, but other types of fungi cause ringworm infections as well.
Cats, especially longhaired breeds, have a more generalized form of infection than dogs. These animals can be chronic carriers of a fungus even though they may not show any signs of infection themselves.
Ringworm fungi can be transmitted to humans; therefore, owners of infected animals should consider quarantining the pet indoors until the infection is cured. Precautions should be taken while treating animals in order to prevent human infection and environmental contamination.
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