Ringworm in rescue dog, help...

[db_9]

We just got a rescue dog from the shelter from Puerto Rico 4 days ago. There is a small patch of fur missing on her back. According to the shelter she had ringworm. They said she was treated, cured,  and made it sound like no big deal. I was not aware of what ringworm was. So I read through the paper work. It says she was diagnosed looking at a skin sample through the microsope. They gave her Cephalexin orally and also gave her 3 Lime Sulfur dips over a 3 week period. They retested her with a skin sample a month after first diagnoses and said it was gone. Now everything I have read says Cephalexin does nothing for ringworm and that the microscope method is not accurate!! We have two boys, 7 and 5 years old. I am now worried about their heath as we have been playing with the dog for the last 4 days. I had no idea that she could still be infected until I Googled it. We now have an appointment tomorrow with the vet and they are going to do the culture to grow it and see. But they said that could take 2 weeks to get results.

So what should I do in the meantime? I have no idea how I can quaranteen the dog. Plus we are supposed to host Thanksgiving at my house and I am now worried about peopl visiting. Do you think the dog could be cured and I am worring about nothing.

[db_9]

Ya we have baby gates. We are actually using them already to keep her in the same room we are in.

The vet said they aren't sure if it is ringworm or not. They said it was some sort of lesion. So they are growing the culture and we won't know for 2 weeks. They said just keep her in another room while we have guests and to make sure we keep washing our hands. Other than that they said she is a very healthy puppy.

Now if we could just get this potty training thing under control :)

[Misfits4Me]

You don't have to go anywhere else.....Don't you have a room away from everyone that you could babygate? Don't close the door, just use a babygate to keep the puppy in the room.....That way she can still see through.....If she is not potty trained, put down some plastic sheeting on your floors if they are not water proof......

A simple baby gate can be purchased at Wal-Mart for about $15...They are wonderful to have--Especially w/a new dog!! Used them AND plastic sheeting many, many times!

Let us know what the Vet says......Karla

[db_9]

Well you guys are making me feel better about this situation. My wife is at the vets right now with the puppy. Both of my sons are healthy, but my 7 year old did just have his tonsils and adenoids out 1 1/2 weeks ago. It will be hard to crate the dog the whole time my brother is over on Turkey day. I am sure the dog will cry a bunch. So I will see what the vet says about it. Worstcase is we have to go to my brothers instead of my house.

I will post once I hear from my wife.

[skydnsr]

Your kids are probably not going to get ringworm.  The reason a lot of rescue dogs have ringworm, mites, and similar infections is because they were not getting good care prior to coming into rescue, and for that reason their immune systems aren't functioning properly.  A lot of rescue dogs don't get good nutrition, they are stressed, etc.  Your five year-old and 7 year-old sons ought to be okay, assuming they get good nutrition, they're not unduly stressed, etc. LOL.  If one of your kids does happen to get a minor ringworm infection -- which there is a slight possibility of happening, because anything can happen --  it will be easily treated.  They have already been exposed to the dog, and I wouldn't worry about it, at this point.

I actually had ringworm once or twice as a child, and it was no big deal.  I don't even think I went to the doctor.  I believe we treated it with some kind of over-the-counter medication, similar to what Karla is talking about.  I've never heard of anyone having to decontaminate their house with bleach or go to any extremes such as that.  I would just ride it out.  I believe your kids will be fine.  Ringworm is just not a huge deal.  A healthy person can throw off ringworm.  Sometimes you need a little help in the way of a topical medication, but its just not a huge deal.  Kids can get lots of things from lots of sources, and you treat it, and everybody gets over it.  This is just one of those little things, if it turns out to be anything at all.

Now, with the one year-old and the three year-old who are coming over to visit, that is a little bit of a different matter.  Kids that age do not have fully functioning immune systems, even compared to the immune systems of a 5 year-old and a 7 year-old, and the visiting kids have not yet been exposed to the dog.  The younger kids are at a bit more risk of contracting the infection, plus the parents of the younger children are probably going to get upset if their kids get ringworm from visiting you.  So I would try to keep the dog isolated from the visiting babies.  If at all possible, wait until a future visit to introduce these younger children to your new dog.  If it's just for a few hours that they are coming over, maybe you can make some arrangement.  I don't think they need to cancel the visit to your home altogether, but if they could avoid direct physical with the dog for now, it would probably be a good precaution.  Good luck.

[db_9]

Karla,
I have read that the black light can only detect one type of fungus that causes ringworm. Is that correct? Do you think only bathing her 3 time in the lime sulfur would be enough to cure her? I also read that you need to decontaminate your house with a bleach mixture because the spores can live a long time. Also they could live on anything she rubs up against? My brother is coming over for Tday with his 3 year old and 1 year old. I don't want them to get it. So I am freaking out. Hopefully the vet will give us some answers tomorrow.

[Misfits4Me]

Welcome to the forum AND Thank you for adopting!!!!  I don't consider RW a big deal either!  I've had many cases of ringworm dogs here & I have never quarantined them...Yes, Lime/sulfur dip is the right choice.....We usually do it twice a week for 2 wks., then once a week for 3 more treatments......The Cephalexin was probably used for any bacterial infection the dog may have had from scratching & self trauma.....

You can purchase the dip yourself at many places....However, for spot treatment, any OTC ointment for Athletes foot is made for RW, also....I have used it forever it seems...Yes, RW is contagious....I've had ringworm more times than I want to count......I just use the OTC product on any lesions that appear......They finally go away.....

While your quests are there, you could put your guy in another area.....

Good for you for getting her to the Vet for a check.....It will take 2 weeks to grow a culture, but RW can be detected Immediately under a Woods Lamp at your Vets office...If it is indeed ringworm, it will glow bright green.....A wood lamp is basically a black light.....Treatment can also begin immediately.....I would not wait two weeks for a culture to begin treatment.........Good luck, Karla