My WebMD Sign In

Please enter email address

Enter your password

Keep me signed in on this computer

Show more Information

If you select "Keep me signed in on this computer", you can stay signed in to WebMD.com on this computer for up to 2 weeks or until you sign out. This means that a cookie will stay on your computer even when you exit or close your browser which may reduce your levels of privacy and security. You should never select this option if you're using a publicly accessible computer, or if you're sharing a computer with others. Even if you select this option there are some features of our site that still require you to log in for privacy reasons.

Forget your password? Having trouble signing in?

Why should I
sign up for WebMD?

With a WebMD Account you can:

Track your way to weight loss success
Manage your family's vaccinations
Join the conversation

See more benefits Sign Up

Why WebMD?

My WebMD

Show Menu

Facebook Twitter Pinterest

WebMD Home

Pet Health Community

Ringworm and Your Pets

Is ringworm really a worm? No. Actually, ringworm is a group fungus that feeds...

Posted by M Duffy Jones, DVM

Is ringworm really a worm? No. Actually, ringworm is a group fungus that feeds on dead skin. In humans, it presents as a very distinctive circular lesion in the skin. The lesion is typically red and raised and scaly on the edges, while the center starts to heal.

In animals, these lesions tend to be scaly and vary in appearance. They can look similar to many other types of lesions, which can make reaching the proper diagnosis difficult.

Ringworm Facts

1. Ringworm fungi are very resilient in the environment. But they require a broken or scratched skin site in order to produce spores and spread from one host to another.
2. Although ringworm may cause some unsightly skin lesions, in general, it does not cause too extensive of a disease in its hosts.
3. Some animals are carriers, meaning they never show any signs of ringworm. But they are constantly dropping spores and potentially infecting others.
4. Some people are more susceptible to these ringworm fungi than others. The young, elderly, or immune-compromised people are more prone to pick up a ringworm infection.

How Ringworm is Diagnosed

- Wood's Light Examination: This is a very simple test, which can be done in your vet's office. When held near the lesion, the Wood's lamp's ultraviolet light causes the ringworm to fluoresce green. Unfortunately, this exam will catch only about 50% of ringworm infections, because half of these infections will not turn green under the light.
- Microscopic Examination: Sometimes the fungal spores are visible on a host's hair under a microscope. But they are difficult to see. So they can be missed in about half of the cases with this exam, as well.
- Fungal Culture: For this culture, a sample of hair is plucked from the skin and placed in a dish to allow any present fungi to grow. This test makes it possible for your vet to tell if there is ringworm present and exactly which fungi are causing the problem.
- Skin Biopsy: Sometimes a ringworm infection is so deep in the skin that the only way it can be found is by removing a small piece of skin or tissue and observing it microscopically for any fungi.

How Ringworm is Treated

Pets with ringworm need to be isolated during treatment. Otherwise, they will continue shedding fungal spores in your home. Disinfecting the environment is also important during this time.

In my practice, I typically treat pets with oral medication and dips and baths. Many times the type of treatment your vet will use depends on your pet's age and any other medical problems your pet might have.

If you are concerned that your pet has ringworm, make an appointment with your vet. He or she can decide what tests to run and which treatment will work best for your pet.
View Thread

Posted byM Duffy Jones, DVM

0 Replies | Reply | Watch This DiscussionReport This| Share this:Ringworm and Your Pets Is ringworm really a worm? No. Actually, ringworm is a group fungus that feeds...

Flea-Resistant Pets?

There are NO dog or cat breeds that are completely resistant to fleas. Some...

Posted by M Duffy Jones, DVM

There are NO dog or cat breeds that are completely resistant to fleas.

Some pet owners like to believe otherwise, because they have one dog in their household who "gets fleas", and another dog who "doesn't get fleas". But in reality, the dog that they accuse of having fleas may be itchier because he may have an allergy to fleas. The other dog (the supposedly "resistant" dog) most likely has the same number of fleas, but without the allergy. So that dog is showing no signs.

I also hear people make this claim because of the kinds of hair their dogs have. A light colored or short-haired dog presents an easier surface on which to find fleas. Whereas, a large, full-coated dog, such as a Chow, presents an extremely difficult palette for finding them. Fleas are really good at hiding out on thick-coated pets. So remember, just because you cannot find them, doesn't always mean fleas are not there.

It's OK to want to believe that your pet is resistant to fleas. But it becomes a problem when you have one pet who you think is resistant, and another who clearly reacts to fleas. In order to properly treat a pet that clearly has fleas, you and your vet will have to work to kill all the fleas in the environment, including those that probably live on your other, so-called resistant pet. When I tell owners that we need to treat all their pets for fleas, it can sometimes be a hard sell. I have to convince them that it is important to treat all the pets in their household, because it only takes one or two fleas to set off a reaction in a flea-allergic pet. Unless owners believe me -- that no pets are resistant to fleas and that getting rid of them requires treating the entire household -- it is extremely difficult to control the fleas and their pet's allergies to them.

The truth is all pets can get fleas, but some will just react more than others. So even if you think your pet is resistant to fleas, be sure to use regular flea protection for them.View Thread

Posted byM Duffy Jones, DVM

0 Replies | Reply | Watch This DiscussionReport This| Share this:Flea-Resistant Pets? There are NO dog or cat breeds that are completely resistant to fleas. Some...

Reply: Diseases You Can Not Get From Your Pet

Great information. Thanks for the clarification.

Posted by M Duffy Jones, DVM

2 Replies | Reply | Watch This DiscussionReport This| Share this:Diseases You Can Not Get From Your Pet Great information. Thanks for the clarification.

Reply: Food Allergies in Pets

I am so glad your pet is doing better. Finding the right food can be a long...

Posted by M Duffy Jones, DVM

10 Replies | Reply | Watch This DiscussionReport This| Share this:Food Allergies in Pets I am so glad your pet is doing better. Finding the right food can be a long...

Food Allergies in Pets

"My pet scratches all year long!" This is a common complaint I get at my...

Posted by M Duffy Jones, DVM

"My pet scratches all year long!"

This is a common complaint I get at my practice. Owners get very frustrated and feel bad about their pet possibly being uncomfortable. Many also get upset because they spend lots of money on medication, only to have the itching and scratching return as soon as the medication is stopped.

When I talk to owners about their pets' constant scratching I ask them lots of questions to determine if their pets have any food allergies. Food allergies are very hard to diagnose and it can take a lot of time and observation. Some things I ask pet owners to think about in these instances include:

* When does the itching and scratching occur?
* Is there a pattern to the areas their pets are scratching?
* What types of foods are they feeding?
* Have they recently switched pet foods?
* Is the scratching getting better or worse?
* Do they give their pets any treats? If so, what type and how often?

Changing Your Pet's Diet
If you look online at "food for food allergies in pets", you'll see many food types and brands, as well as different opinions about all of them. After years of trying to figure out what's best, I've concluded that every pet is different. I have seen improvement in many pets' food allergies on commercial diets, over-the-counter diets, diets with limited ingredients, home cooked diets, and raw food diets. I've also seen an equal number of pets get worse on these same diets.

The diet that works for one animal may not work for another. And it can take time to work through different pet diets until you find the one that helps your own pet. If I suspect a food allergy in one of my patients, typically I have the owner:

* Start with a protein source that the pet has never tried before. If the pet has been eating a chicken-based diet, I'll recommend changing to a fish-based diet.
* Look at the amount of grains in the pet food and shoot for a grain-free diet.
* Keep the pet on the prescribed diet for 6 to 8 weeks, meaning no treats, no rawhide"026 nothing but the specific foods allotted.
* Consider other pet care products you are using, such as heartworm or flea prevention. Some of these products taken orally have beef or pork flavoring, which also may interfere with a food trial.
As you can imagine, pet food trials are hard to do in real life. So if you think your pet has a food allergy, build up your patience and talk with your vet. It may take time to figure out which diet is best. But if you find it, the allergic reactions could disappear altogether, making all the time and effort worth it.

Have you ever had a pet diagnosed with food allergies? Share your experiences with the Community about your pets' food allergies how you've been able to cope.View Thread

Posted byM Duffy Jones, DVM

10 Replies | Reply | Watch This DiscussionReport This| Share this:Food Allergies in Pets "My pet scratches all year long!" This is a common complaint I get at my...

Diseases You Can Not Get From Your Pet

While there are many zoonotic diseases -- diseases your pets can have and give...

Posted by M Duffy Jones, DVM

While there are many zoonotic diseases -- diseases your pets can have and give to you -- there are also diseases which are pet-specific and that do not travel between humans and animals. Here is a list of some of those diseases which are pet-specific, but are sometimes misunderstood as a threat to humans:

FIV
Commonly known as Feline AIDS, this is a virus that cats can have which affects their immune system. It is the result of a lentivirus and will cause infected cats to become vulnerable to other diseases, such as lymphoma. However, some cats can have FIV and not have any long term effects.

Canine Distemper Virus
This virus can be very devastating for dogs. It starts as a respiratory infection, becomes an intestinal disease, and can ultimately cause seizures. Fortunately, wide spread vaccination has done a wonderful job of eliminating the disease in dogs who are vaccinated. Although humans can pick up the virus, it does not cause any diseases in humans.

Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV)
FeLV decreases the immune system in cats. FeLV-positive cats are more susceptible to contracting other diseases, so good hygiene is always a must for infected cats and their owners.

Parvo Virus
Even though there are many human versions of the parvo virus, these are not the same as that which causes parvo virus infections in dogs. So if your dog does become infected with the parvo virus, you and your household are not at risk. However, good hygiene is necessary for the entire household, because dogs infected with parvo can also have other diseases that they can spread to you, such as worms.

Kennel Cough
Kennel cough is caused by bacteria and viral components. The viral portion is a very species-specific virus to dogs. While there are viruses very similar to kennel cough that can make humans sick, the kennel cough virus your dog has will not be spread to you.

It's important to remember that, even if your pet has one of these diseases which are not known to cause problems in people, your pet may also have other infections that are known to cause problems in humans. I always recommend good hygienic habits when handling any affected animals to lessen the possibility of secondary or co-infections.

Have any of your pets been affected by these diseases? If so, what did you do to protect your pet from secondary infections?View Thread

Posted byM Duffy Jones, DVM

2 Replies | Reply | Watch This DiscussionReport This| Share this:Diseases You Can Not Get From Your Pet While there are many zoonotic diseases -- diseases your pets can have and give...

Fleas and Your Other Pets

You may be wondering if you have pets that are not cats or dogs, do you need to...

Posted by M Duffy Jones, DVM

0 Replies | Reply | Watch This DiscussionReport This| Share this:Fleas and Your Other Pets You may be wondering if you have pets that are not cats or dogs, do you need to...

Reply: How to Remove a Tick from Your Pet

I probably would not use bleach because it can be so irritating to the skin. Try...

Posted by M Duffy Jones, DVM

5 Replies | Reply | Watch This DiscussionReport This| Share this:How to Remove a Tick from Your Pet I probably would not use bleach because it can be so irritating to the skin. Try...

Reply: Dangerous Hot Spots

Good question. Hair loss around the paws does happen at times especially in dogs...

Posted by M Duffy Jones, DVM

11 Replies | Reply | Watch This DiscussionReport This| Share this:Dangerous Hot Spots Good question. Hair loss around the paws does happen at times especially in dogs...

Diseases You Can Get From Your Pet

Pets add so much to our lives: great companionship, unconditional love, and...

Posted by M Duffy Jones, DVM

Pets add so much to our lives: great companionship, unconditional love, and unfortunately, a slight risk of making us sick. There are a few diseases that pets can get and give to humans. These are called zoonotic diseases. And it's important for pet owners to know about these potential risks, so you can take precautions to make sure your household is protected.

Here are some of the most common offenders:

Round Worms
Round worms are a parasite that most household pets will have at some point in life. The worms live in their intestines, and pets typically have them as puppies or kittens. These worms lay eggs that are then deposited in the soil when your pet defecates. People are infected with round worms through accidental ingestion. The worms can migrate through tissues such as the lungs, and eventually end up in the eye, causing permanent vision loss. Preventing round worm infections includes deworming your pet at a young age and performing periodic stool checks during the year. Also many heartworm preventatives are very good dewormers. So monthly treatment for heartworms is important for avoiding round worms, as well.

Hookworms
Hookworms are another parasitic intestinal worm of dogs and cats that can infect humans. They can be found in the soil or sand where an infected dog has defecated. The larvae can migrate through skin and cause a painful skin rash in humans. Hookworms travel through different organs in the body causing various problems. Routine stool checks on your pet and good hygiene is the best way to avoid getting this parasite.

Giardia
Giardia is the mostly commonly diagnosed parasitic disease for people in the US. It is also an intestinal parasite that dogs and cats can have and give to humans. Typically transmitted through contaminated water, it causes chronic diarrhea that can last from one week to several months. Giardia can also be more severe and cause a skin rash and joint swelling. This is a parasite we are finding more and more often in pets, especially in puppies and kittens. Again, regular hand washing, good hygiene, and routine fecal examinations can help reduce the spread.

Lyme disease
Lyme disease, or Borrelia burgdorferi, is spread by ticks and can cause rash, headaches, and muscle pains. It can also move through the body and cause more wide spread problems in the joints and other organs.

Ringworm
Ringworm is not really a worm at all, but rather a fungal infection that causes a circular-like lesion on the skin. Dogs and cats can have ringworm and can also be carriers that give it to you. Ringworm in people causes an itchy, flaky skin rash.

Leptospirosis
Leptospirosis is a bacterial infection that causes liver and kidney failure in pets, and can also infect humans. It is spread through the urine of infected animals and can live in water and soil for long periods of time. There is a vaccine for Leptospirosis, but it may not completely protect your pet. So be sure to talk with your veterinarian to determine if this vaccine is necessary.

Rabies
Rabies is the most dangerous zoonotic disease that we have encountered so far. It is a virus that causes neurological problems and that can be transmitted by dogs, cats, and animals in the wild. If a human is infected and not treated, they rarely survive. The vaccine for rabies is very effective at preventing this disease, and keeping your pets current is vital. We vaccinate dogs and cats as a way to not only protect them from rabies, but to also keep humans safe from this deadly virus.

Of course, there are more zoonotic diseases than just the ones listed above. But the best way to protect yourself and your family is to be educated about them, use good hygiene, and have regular conversations with your veterinarian about how to keep your pets safe and disease-free.View Thread

Posted byM Duffy Jones, DVM

0 Replies | Reply | Watch This DiscussionReport This| Share this:Diseases You Can Get From Your Pet Pets add so much to our lives: great companionship, unconditional love, and...

123 4 5

Women's Health Newsletter

Find out what women really need.

Learn more about the AVMA

WebMD Special Sections

WebMD Ask the Veterinarian

Other Pet Health Information

The opinions expressed in WebMD User-generated content areas like communities, reviews, ratings, or blogs are solely those of the User, who may or may not have medical or scientific training. These opinions do not represent the opinions of WebMD. User-generated content areas are not reviewed by a WebMD physician or any member of the WebMD editorial staff for accuracy, balance, objectivity, or any other reason except for compliance with our Terms and Conditions. Some of these opinions may contain information about treatments or uses of drug products that have not been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. WebMD does not endorse any specific product, service, or treatment.

Do not consider WebMD User-generated content as medical advice. Never delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice from your doctor or other qualified healthcare provider because of something you have read on WebMD. You should always speak with your doctor before you start, stop, or change any prescribed part of your care plan or treatment. WebMD understands that reading individual, real-life experiences can be a helpful resource, but it is never a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment from a qualified health care provider. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or dial 911 immediately.

Pet Health Community

See All

Preferences

My Communities

My Discussions

My Email Digests

Duffy_Jones

Latest Activity

Women's Health Newsletter

WebMD Special Sections

Other Pet Health Information

Health Solutions From Our Sponsors

More From WebMD:

Find us on:

Pet Health Community

See All

Preferences

My Communities

My Discussions

My Email Digests

Duffy_Jones

Latest Activity

Women's Health Newsletter

WebMD Special Sections

Other Pet Health Information

More Related Communities

Health Solutions From Our Sponsors

More From WebMD:

Find us on: