How To Free Your Pet from Ringworm

If you've ever had a pet with a ringworm case (or if you've been unlucky enough to get it yourself), then you know how expensive the diagnosis alone can become. Most vets will insist on testing samples of your pet's hair, and these tests can run upwards of $60 per pet. Prescription ointments for the duration of the treatment usually add up to around $230 per animal. For many pet owners that I've spoken to through my employment, this first step in getting their pet back to normal often causes the most anxiety. So, I thought I'd share this simple, inexpensive guide to ringworm care.

First - know what you are dealing with. Like many other ailments, ringworm is much easier to contain and eliminate when it is caught early. The most common symptom is a reddish circular area on your pet's coat, hence the name "ring"worm. (For those of you freaking out over the nastiness of a "worm", calm down. Ringworm doesn't involve any wriggling creatures, just an annoying fungus.) There are 30+ variations of the ringworm fungi, but the following guide will work for the majority of cases.

When you are a little more familiar with what is going on, you can start to address the problem. The initial step is to separate the affected pet from others in your home. If you have children, have them refrain from touching the dog or cat until the issue is resolved. These precautions will help prevent the fungi from spreading to anyone else and creating a bigger problem.

Next, visit your local drug/pet/agricultural store for a bottle of iodine. Before applying the iodine to the affected area, you'll want to put on a pair of gloves. This will not only prevent the accidental spread of the fungi, but will also keep that icky yellow iodine off your fingertips. Once you are properly covered, use a clean cotton ball or make-up wedge (both available at drug or grocery stores) to apply a thick coat of iodine. Normally, a bandage is not needed, because the iodine dries so quickly. However, if your pet is prone to licking the area, or if it's in a particularly open area for rubbing against furniture/carpet, then feel free to apply cotton gauze and secure it with "vet wrap". The vet wrap can be purchased at most agricultural or feed stores, and is often much less expensive than the human version. (Plus, it comes in fun colors!)

Keep in mind that you can tweak this process depending on your pet's actual condition. If the affected area is near a mouth, ear, or eye, you may want to use a cotton swab to apply the iodine, to discourage dripping. Also, be sure to apply more iodine and change bandages every day or two, so that the fungi does not have time to become moist and spread again.

These steps will take care of most common cases of ringworm, and you should see a significant improvement in your pet's condition in 3-4 days. Of course, if the ringworm symptoms are accompanied by any others, such as vomiting, loss of appetite, or unusual behavior, you should consult your veterinarian to see if something else is happening. If you follow the guidelines and do not see improvement in a week, call your vet and explain the situation.