RINGWORM

[LoisMary]

For the past three months I've been treating my two dogs with Ketoconazole cream 2% and it works but the ringworm keeps coming back.  Where is it coming from??? Outside?  In my house? I clean and sanitize everything and everywhere.  They walk in the woods, could that be it?  I'm totally freaking out over this.  Just when I think I've licked it, it comes back.  What can I do?  Please help!
Lois

[Aleda M Cheng, D.V.M., C.V.A]

I would bath each of your dogs with Malaseb anti fungal shampoo (or equivalent) every other day for 2 weeks, than twice weekly for another month.  You can use the ketoconazole cream between washings if you desire.

Ringworm spores can last in the enviroment for 2 or more months so you will have to take care of the environment as follows:

Wash all bedding that can be washed in a clothes washer in hot water with 1 cup of added bleach.

Wash all furniture, floors and carpeting with a dilute bleach solution: 1 cup bleach to a gallon of water.  You may have to do this once per week for a month or two.  Be persistant!  Good Luck!

[ddeiman]

treating systemically with anti fungals might be warranted too.