Ringworm Treatment for Dogs

Ringworm treatment for dogs requires anti-fugal medications to knock out this infection. This is because Canine Ringworm is a fungal infection and is NOT caused by worms of any kind.

There are three common types of fungi that are responsible for the majority of ringworm infestations.

Knowing which one your dog is suffering from makes treatment quicker and more effective and the first step towards getting Fido the right treatment is to get an accurate diagnosis from your vet.

Because Ringworm symptoms can get worse quickly, and the condition is highly contagious, it's important to diagnose and treat even minor cases promptly.

Depending on how early your dog is diagnosed and how severe the problem your veterinarian could recommend medicated shampoos, dips or topical treatments. These products might contain active ingredients like Miconazole, Chlorhexidine or Lime Sulfur.

For most dogs, oral medications are needed in conjunction with whatever products are being applied externally.

Dog Ringworm Medicines

There are several oral medications that can be used to treat dogs with ringworm.

As with ALL medications it is very important to follow dosage instructions extremely carefully and your vet will tell you what is appropriate for your dog given his/her age, weight, other health conditions etc. Human dosage and canine dosage is NOT the same!

Serious health issues, even death, can happen if you give a dog too much medication, or one that is not safe for him/her.

Griseofulvin for Dogs

A medication called Griseofulvin has generally been the most commonly prescribed oral Ringworm treatment for dogs and it can be very effective.

It's also often used to treat human fungal infections such as athlete's foot, jock itch, nail fungus and more. Griseofulvin works by preventing the fungus from growing and multiplying, so that your dog's immune system can overcome and eradicate the problem.

But it can have some fairly serious side-effects so should only be used in severe cases and you'll need to keep an eye on your dog for any side effects which could spell trouble.

Side effects of Griseofulvin in dogs can include:

• Nausea (often exhibited as excessive drooling/salivation and yawning)
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Lethargy
• Loss of appetite
• Anemia

Vomting and/or diarrhea should be taken seriously as they show the medication is causing digestive upset. If your dog suffers from either of these symptoms discuss it with your veterinarian as he/she may want to choose a different medication. Loss of appetite can be an early sign of liver damage, so if your dog shows this it's important to let your vet know.

Griseofulvin is NOT safe for pregnant dogs, or dogs who are feeding puppies.

Itraconozole for Dogs

Itraconozole is another antifungal drug which is becoming a more frequently prescribed alternative oral medication for Ringworm treatment in dogs.

Itraconozole has less side-effects than Griseofulvin and so is considered to be safer.

Side effects of Itraconozole in dogs may include:

• Loss of appetite
• Nausea (drooling/salivation/yawing)
• Vomiting
• Skin ulcers

Although Itraconozole can cause liver damage, it is a rare side effect (less than 10%).

Liver issues caused by this medication usually take 4 - 6 weeks to show up, but could happen sooner. This is obviously serious and as a loss of appetite could be an early sign that liver damage is being done it's always important to let your vet know of any side effects  your dog experiences.

Terbinafine for Dogs

Another anti-fungal oral Ringworm treatment for dogs is a drug called Lamisil (active ingredient is Terbinafine).

It prevents the fungus from growing and spreading in the same way other antifungal medications do.

The side effects of Lamisil in dogs can include:

• Nausea (drooling/salivation/yawing)
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Loss of appetite
• Dizziness
• Swollen abdomen
• Weight loss

Diflucan for Dogs

Diflucan is an additional anti-fungal drug which veterinarians use as a Ringworm treatment for dogs.

It can be found under the generic name Fluconazole and is often used to treat the more severe cases of fungal or yeast infections, including Valley Fever.

Side effects of Diflucan/Fluconazole in dogs can include:

• Nausea (drooling/salivation/yawning)
• Loss of appetite
• Vomiting
• Rash
• Lethargy

This medication can cause liver damage so it's important to watch for signs of this in your dog. 

Symptoms of liver damage from medication in dogs can include:

• Pale nose/gums/tongue
• Dark urine
• Jaundice (yellowed skin, gums, whites of the eyes)
• Lethargy and/or depression

Best Topical Ringworm Treatment for Dogs

There are a number of different shampoos, dips and topical treatment options available to treat Ringworm in dogs.

The most common active ingredients in these are Miconazole, Lime Sulfur or Chlorhexidine. All of which will kill the fungus on the skin.

For some products  you'll need a prescription from your veterinarian, others are available over the counter. Some medicines that you see on your local pharmacy shelves can also be used to treat ringworm in dogs.

1% Clotrimazole cream (aka Lotrimin whose active ingredient is Clotrimazole) is a popular choice.

Products containing Miconazole are also commonly used, these come in many different forms and under different names, just check for the active ingredient.

Monistat can also be applied topically to Ringworm lesions in dogs.

Look for anti-fungal shampoos which contain Ketoconazole, Miconazole or Chlorhexidine.

Here are three good options....

Is My Dog's Ringworm Cured?

In most cases the anti-fungal treatment for Ringworm in dogs begins to work within 7 to 14 days.

You should start to see the patches begin diminish in size, the irritation start to fade and signs that the hair is growing back - albeit slowly.

Ringworm treatment for dogs takes time, and most oral and topical medications need to be taken/used for several weeks.

The symptoms usually become undetectable (ie it looks like your dog's ringworm is 'cured') before all the fungi have been eradicated. So it's still important to continue with the prescribed treatment for at least another 10 - 14 days to make sure that all the fungus has been eradicated.

If you stop the treatment too soon chances are very good that the fugus will start growing and multiplying again and you'll be right back where you started fairly quickly. Always finish all the medication or treatments that have been recommended/prescribed by your vet.

If you don't see any improvement by the end of two weeks, take him back to your veterinarian for another evaluation.  Sometimes the treatment needs to be 'tweaked' or changed.