What is this?

[Mishski]

Hi all.

I've noticed some sort of rash or something on our dog Jack's stomach this weekend. I'm not quite sure what it is, however I'm thinking it might possibly be ringworm.
I've tried to get a photo of a patch of it but his hair keeps getting in the way.

I was just wondering if it is ringworm or not, and if so what can I do to get rid of it? Will he need to visit the vets or is there some sort of ointment or shampoo that I can use to cure it?

Here's the picture.


If this picture is no good, I can try and get some more.

Thanks!

Mica

[KathyM]

That looks like ringworm to me which is a fungal infection, not a worm as the name suggests. Vet can confirm it with a skin scrape and in some cases depending on the type of fungus it will show up under a Woods lamp. ETA: Treatment generally depends on the severity and ranges from creams/shampoos to griseofulvin tablet treatment (more common). Will definitely need a vet trip and watch out as it's very contagious to just about everything/everyone through contact and spores. Best of luck! xx

[Shell195]

Looks like ringworm to me too. At the shelter we use Imaverol shampoo and a course of griseofulvin. You will need to treat any where the dog has been though as the spores can live in wood and soft furnishings for ever and reinfect.
You do need a visit to the vets as no over the counter treatments are available to treat such a large site as it needs tablets and baths to destroy it completely. With smaller sites Athletes foot cream can be used successfully

[Mishski]

Thanks for the replies.
Will definitely be taking a trip to the vets then because that picture doesn't even show half the infected area. =/ Can't believe we didn't notice this earlier.

I have one more question though, where would he have picked this up from? None of our other animals appear to have anything like this and no person in the house does either.

Thanks in advance.

Mica

[Shell195]

To help you understand Ringworm take at look at thie article
Ringworm in Dogs - Pictures of Ringworm -Symptoms and Treatment

I nursed 5 kittens with Corona virus that also developed ringworm. I had them in my spare bedroom and managed not to infect myself or my own animals but these were confined to one room.
It seems to affect animals with a poor immune system. Even though your other pets arent showing the classic rings it doesnt mean they havent got it too. Some kinds of Ringworm dont show up unless a skin scrape is taken while others show up under a Woods lamp. Speak to your vet and he will tell you the best course of action for you and your other pets
Good Luck and keep us updated. Please dont panic about it as at the end of the day it is just a fungal infection and can be cured by treatment even though it is rather lengthy (about 6 weeks or more)

[Mishski]

Just got back from the vet with Jack and it turns out it's a bacterial infection rather than ringworm. He's been prescribed antibiotics - Rilexine tablets - which he will have twice daily for a week and we have been told that bathing him with Tea-tree oil shampoo will be helpful.
At least my mother won't have to clean the whole house in case of 'fungal spores' now.

Thanks for the help.

Mica

[KathyM]

I wonder if it's a staph A infection then as that can present like ringworm. I had that on my arm from a rat I homed once, it itched like beggary! Hope he's better soon.

[LisaLQ]

Did they do a skin scrape? Not all fungal infections show up under the lamp, so it could still be fungal if that's the only test they did.

[Shell195]

Im glad its not ringworm and will soon be sorted. When people see ring shapes like that though they automatically think its ringworm as not much else mimics it. Kathy could be right

EDIT Our vet always follows up suspected ringworm with skin scrapes that the lab cultures to be sure it is the correct diagnosis

[Mishski]

The vet did say she thought it was a Staph. infection as soon as she saw it. He didn't get a skin scrape, she basically just said what she thought it was immediately and gave us antibiotics for him.
Jack has another vet appointment in a weeks time for when the antibiotic course has ended to see if it's cleared up at all. I guess if it hasn't he'll then get a skin scrape in case it's ringworm or something. Hopefully it'll be cured by then anyway. =)

Mica