Hi

Last week, I noticed that my 9 month old cocker has a small white patch on her muzzle.    My other cocker who is 17 months old also has one but it is slightly bigger.  The skin looks quite dry and a little flakey.  When I think about it they both keep rubbing their muzzles on the rug but not constantly - just more than they're ever done before.  I've had a look on Google for ringworm and I suspect it could be this.  I'm really worried after reading all about it and it sounds disgusting!  I'm really surprised if they have picked it up as I'm bordering on obsessive about cleanliness and constantly sterilising their bowls, disinfecting their crates and regularly changing the bedding.  I vacuum and mop the floors everyday. Perhaps they could have got it at the groomer as I read that it can be passed on by infected combs/brushes? 

One has just finished her season and the younger on started her first on Thursday.  Not sure if it's relevant but thought I'd include it just in case!

I'm going to take them to the vet tomorrow to see what's what but thought that I post on here in the mean time to see if anyone else has had the same thing and if there's anything I can do to a) save on vet treatments and 2) stop them getting it again.

Thank you.

Ruth

Hi Ruth
I once caught ringworm from our cat :o . It is highly infectious. Our cat caught it after fighting with farm cats. I think cats are a good source of infection. Ours used to sneak into the airing cupboard if the door was left open, so I probably caught it off something he'd slept on. It is easily diagnosed at the vets - I think it shows up green under ultra violet light and our cat's ringworm cleared up a lot quicker than mine did!! Thankfully, none of my dogs contracted it - just me!
It's not very nice (you don't like to tell people what you've got) & it itches like mad, but it's easily cured these days so don't worry too much

Hello Anwen

Thanks for your reply.  I don't seem to have anything...yet(!) but will keep my eyes open.  No doubt the vet will be able to say for sure one way or the other and it can be nipped in the bud.  Apart from the rubbing on the carpet they seem to be okay and in very good spirits.  These animals can be such a worry!!

Hi Ruth,
  Have never had a dog with ringworm, but years ago one of our cats had it, and my brother and I got patches on our legs which our mother put iodine on to stop it spreading.  The cat had to have tablets though, to kill the ringworm from the inside - and I remember the vet saying it would look worse before getting better.  Mind you, as that was over 20 years ago, treatments might have changed since then!  Anyway, yes the skin did look flaky, and if you pick at the hairs around the edge of the patch they should come away easily if it is ringworm.  If you pull at the hairs and they're not loose, then hopefully it won't be ringworm.  I've heard that hedgehogs are also a prime carrier, if you have any of those around in your garden.
  Hilda

Hi Hilda

Yes, the hair was coming away easily when I touched it last.  Now I know what it could be I'm not touching it again! 

One of the articles from Google mentioned that it will get worse before it gets better so not much has changed since your cat had it.  The treatments for dogs tend to be antifungal creams though rather than a tablet.

I do get hedgehogs in the garden so you could be right about them being the culprit!

Hi Ruth,
  Definitely sounds suspicious!  Let us know how you get on at the vets.
  Hilda

Hi

The vet called me this morning.  There was no evidence of ringworm in the culture that he tried to grow using the hair sample.  However, another patch has appeared this time on the top  of my older dog's head.  The vet asked to see her again.  So I took her down this afternoon and he even got another vet to have a look as he was a bit puzzled.  He has prescribed an anti fungal cream called Surolan just in case and I have to go back in 10 days for a check up. 

Ruth

Hi Ruth,
  Isn't it annoying when they can't tell you what's wrong!  At least it's not ringworm then, so that is one good thing.  You'll just have to keep your eye on things just in case it does spread - I mean it must be 'something'!
  Hilda

I bought a whippet puppy many years ago which had ringworm.  My vet explained that each species has its' own ringworm (e.g. cat, cow, hen etc) which can be passed on to other creatures but which cannot transmit on from there.  e.g. Man can get cow ringworm from cows, but can't pass it on to anyone/anything else.

Ringworm is, of course, a fungal infection and iodine in an anti-fungal as well as styptic and antiseptic.  I keep it in the cupboard as a stand-by for all little skin lesions and have used it to clear up many little unidentified patches of sore skin over the years.  But of course a vet will simply give your dog tablets that will clear ringworm up quickly and effectively - as with my whippet, which had caught the ringworm, we think, from hens, and so did not transmit it to us or our other dogs.

Hi Everyone

Just got back from the vet.  The patches did not 'glow' under the special lamp he used so he could not immediately say what is causing the problem.  He took some hairs away to grow in a culture and I will find out on Saturday for sure if it is ringworm.  Thanks for the tip about iodine.  Think I'll get some anyway just in case.

Ruth

Hi Stormangel
let us know what the vet says on Saturday.