How do you treat ringworm in Labradors?

When you see your lively Labrador at home, with its shiny and smooth hair now showing patches of baldness, red and flaky skin, and the dog scratching restlessly from time to time due to itching, every owner's heart will be like being grabbed, full of heartache and anxiety. This disease that makes dogs suffer is ringworm, an issue that we need to pay great attention to and actively deal with. ​

Labradors often suffer from ringworm because of fungal infection, the most common of which is Microsporum canis. Dogs are lively by nature and love to explore all corners. When playing outdoors, they are easily exposed to fungal spores hidden in the soil and grass. In addition, close contact between pets, or the use of public items in pet hospitals, pet stores and other places, may also become a route of infection. Once infected, the symptoms of ringworm gradually appear. At first, some small red spots will appear on the dog's skin, and then slowly develop into round or oval hair loss spots with clear edges, like a carefully painted pattern. However, this is by no means a beautiful decoration, but a mark of disease. The skin at the hair loss spot will become rough and scaly. Because of the itching, the dog often can't help licking and scratching, which will not only aggravate the skin damage, but also may cause the infection to spread. Seeing that the Labrador, which was originally full of energy, has become listless because of ringworm, how can the owner not be anxious? ​

When you find that your Labrador has symptoms of ringworm, it is crucial to take it to the veterinarian as soon as possible. Veterinarians can accurately diagnose the condition with their professional knowledge and rich experience. They usually conduct a detailed interview first to understand the dog's recent range of activities, diet, etc., in order to determine the possible source of infection. Then, a series of examinations will be carried out, such as the Wood's lamp examination. In a dark room, use a Wood's lamp to illuminate the dog's skin. If the infected area emits yellow-green fluorescence, it is highly suspected to be ringworm. However, not all fungi that cause ringworm can be visualized under a Wood's lamp, so a skin scraping examination will also be combined. The veterinarian will use a blade to gently scrape the dandruff from the infected area and observe it under a microscope. If fungal hyphae or spores are found, the diagnosis can be confirmed. Although this series of examinations is a bit tormenting for the dog, it is all for the purpose of accurately judging the condition and providing a basis for subsequent treatment. Every owner is looking forward to finding a good treatment as soon as possible to get rid of the dog's pain. ​

The treatment of Labrador's ringworm often requires the combined use of multiple methods. Drug treatment is the key link. For topical drugs, antifungal ointments such as clotrimazole ointment and ketoconazole cream are more commonly used. When applying ointment to the dog, the owner should carefully shave the hair around the affected area first, which not only allows the ointment to better contact the skin, but also facilitates the observation of changes in the condition. When applying the ointment, the action should be gentle, while gently soothing the dog, carefully apply the ointment evenly to the affected area to ensure that every infected area is covered. Generally, it needs to be applied 1-2 times a day for several weeks. This process is not easy. The dog may resist because of discomfort. The owner must have enough patience and love to comfort the dog again and again, just to make the drug work to the maximum effect. ​

In addition to topical medications, for Labradors with more serious conditions, veterinarians may prescribe oral antifungal drugs, such as itraconazole. Oral medications can inhibit fungal growth from the body and work together with topical medications. However, oral medications have certain side effects and may affect the dog's liver function. Therefore, during the medication period, the owner must strictly follow the veterinarian's instructions to control the dosage and course of treatment, and take the dog to check liver function regularly. Looking at the dog's ignorant and trusting eyes every time he takes the medicine, the owner is full of entanglements. He hopes that the medicine can cure the dog's disease quickly, but he is also worried about the adverse effects of the medicine. He can only take care of the dog more carefully and pay close attention to its physical condition. ​

In the process of treating ringworm, environmental cleaning and disinfection should not be ignored. Fungal spores may remain in places where Labradors live, such as doghouses, mats, toys, etc. The owner should clean these items thoroughly. The doghouse can be rinsed with hot water. The mat should be changed and washed frequently, and exposed to the sun to kill fungi with ultraviolet rays. Toys should also be disinfected regularly. They can be soaked in pet-specific disinfectants and then cleaned. Floors and furniture at home should also be wiped and disinfected frequently to reduce the chance of fungi surviving in the environment. Every cleaning and disinfection is the owner's effort to create a healthy environment for the dog, just to give the dog a space without fungal threats. ​

Nutritional supplements also play an important role in Labrador's fight against ringworm. A healthy body can better resist the disease. The owner can feed the dog nutritious and high-quality dog ​​food, and can also add some nutritional supplements rich in vitamins and minerals, such as vitamin B. Vitamin B can enhance the dog's skin resistance and promote skin repair. Watching the dog eat with relish, the owner is full of hope that these nutrients can be transformed into the power of the dog's recovery, so that the dog can return to its former liveliness as soon as possible. ​

Treating Labrador's ringworm is a protracted battle that requires patience and perseverance. During this process, the dog will become irritable due to discomfort, and the owner will be exhausted due to worry. But as long as we have firm confidence, actively cooperate with veterinary treatment, and take good care of the dog's daily life, we will definitely be able to help Labrador overcome ringworm.