Dog Health.

RINGWORM

by Dennis Fisher.

This article is one of a great many articles written by Dennis Fisher about a very wide variety of subjects concerning different  dogs, such as obedience training, breeding, showing, health matters, training problems and other subjects.  All these articles appear on Dennis Fisher's websites.   Visit  http://www.allaboutgermanshepherddogs.com the site that has been set up specifically for German Shepherd Dog enthusiasts, or http://www.freedogadvice.com  if you interested in a breed   other than German Shepherd Dogs

 This particular skin condition is called "ringworm" because the appearance of the skin lesions appear to be in a circular pattern, but the cause of this condition is not a worm but a fungus.

It is difficult to diagnose ringworm accurately by simply looking at the lesions. Because of this it is often mistaken for mange. The Veterinarian is able to diagnose the condition by means of a special ultra violet light.  Once the condition is correctly diagnosed the Veterinarian knows the most effective medication.

It is important for the correct medication to be used, because self-diagnosis  and application of a human anti-fungal treatment ointment can be toxic for the animal.