Ringworm Prevention

Most animal owners knowtheir pets and livestockcan catch and/or spread

diseases to other animals. However,many people don’t realize animalscan also pass diseases to humans.

Ringworm is a fungal diseasethat infects the outer layers of skinand the hair or wool shaft. Thisparasitic fungus can affect anydomestic animal, including livestockand pets, as well as humans.

Because people can easilycatch this disease from their pets orshow animals at fairs and otherevents, ringworm-infected animalspose a public health problem.

That’s why anyone whohandles animals should be awareof the signs of ringworm.

How is ringworm spread?Direct body contact between

animals or people and animals isjust one way the highly contagiousringworm fungus spreads.

Infected animals can alsocontaminate their environment(wash racks, pens, trailers,pastures, etc.) as they shed fungusspores, skin scales and hair fibers.Likewise, sharing equipment andshow supplies, such as brushes,clippers, combs, blankets and

halters, can spread the disease.What’s more, humans handling

infected animals can carry ringworm

Indiana State Board of Animal Health • Technical Bulletin RC-3.98

THE FACTS

to other animals. That’s why animalhealth officials are adamant aboutbarring infected animals fromexhibitions, where judges andvisitors frequently touch manydifferent animals.

Signs of ringworm.Ringworm appears as a patch of

thick, scaly skin, causing a loss ofwool or hair. Oozing or redness mayoccur at the site. The diseasetypically, but not always, appears asa round lesion that varies in size.The disease derives its name fromthe circular pattern it creates, thatwas once thought to be caused byinsect larvae.

Lesions appear 10 days to fourweeks after exposure to the fungus.Without treatment, the patchesdisappear in four weeks to eightweeks. Wool or hair may regrowwithin eight weeks to 16 weeks.

Once the skin is no longerthickened or scaly, and lost hair hasregrown, the lesion is virtuallycleared of infection.

How is ringworm treated?No medication will cure

ringworm. However, some topicaltreatments may shorten the courseof the infection. Suspicious lesionson pets and livestock should beexamined by a veterinarian who canmake a diagnosis.

•Any animal—petsor livestock—canget ringworm.

•Humans aresusceptible, too.

•Ringworm is actuallya highly contagiousfungus, also calleddermatophytosis.

•Contaminatedequipment, pens,blankets, etc. canspread the disease.

PRACTICALPREVENTION

Indiana State Board of Animal HealthOffice of the State Veterinarian4154 N. Keystone AvenueIndianapolis, IN 46205-2843317/544-2400; Fax 317/544-1415email: animalhealth@boah.in.govwww.boah.in.gov

A person who shows signsresembling ringworm shouldconsult a physician.

Concerns about ringworm.Ringworm lesions can become

infected with other types of bacteria,resulting in fur ther, secondaryhealth problems. Heavy or facialinfections can slow an animal’s rateof gain. What’s more, lesions candamage an animal’s hide and coat.

One of the most impor tantaspects of animal ringworm is itsrisk to public health. Humans caneasily pick up the fungus bytouching, handling or cleaninginfected pets and livestock.Infectious hairs or skin particles thathave fallen off of infected animalscan also spread the disease. If pensor barns are not properly cleanedand disinfected, the fungus canlinger for years, causing persistentreinfections.

Young people, especially smallchildren, are more susceptible toringworm than adults. Lesions areoften severe, causing inflammationand some scarring.

Young people are alsovulnerable, because they often rubtheir faces while grooming animalsor exhibiting in the show ring. Thissimple act can transfer the infectionfrom the animal to the person’s faceor scalp, with potentially severeconsequences.

Exhibitors should understandthat any animal with suspicious

Lesions on a dog give a patchy appearance.

ringworm lesionsbeing brought toan exhibition maybe asked to leavethe premises toprotect otheranimals andpeople.

•Never borrow or shareclippers, combs, blankets orother grooming equipment.•Clean and disinfect allequipment and pensbefore each use.•Inspect, then separate newanimals for 2 to 3 weeks;watch for symptoms.

Lesions may ooze