What Ringworm Looks Like in Puppies

Despite its name, ringworm is not caused by a worm but rather by a fungus infecting the follicles. The usual fungi that cause canine ringworm are called Microsporum canis and Microporum gypseum. Ringworm causes itching, redness and loss of hair, usually in circular patches. Ringworm can happen to dogs or puppies of all breeds, although young dogs and puppies get it more often than adult and senior dogs.

Ringworm in puppies tends to thrive most in the head area and the warm, moist ears and muzzle. The puppies will lose hair on their faces. Often the patches of hair loss will be round, have a thick, white, crusty center and be bright red or deep pink at the edges. At first, the ringworm will not be itchy, but as it progresses, puppies will usually scratch so hard that they rip the hairless patches open.

Because of their itchiness, puppies will scratch with their claws. This spreads the ringworm to the paws, leaving them with the same round, crusty, hairless patches as occur on the face and ears. The claws then become infected, which makes them brittle, yellow and susceptible to splitting easily. Eventually, the claws become deformed and grow at strange angles, which makes walking very difficult.

The next place where ringworm fungus thrives is at the tail and anal area. The tail will first have thinning patches and then completely lose hair as the infection progresses. The tail will then become covered in red-ringed, scabby sores. Thinning hair and bald patches eventually leading to sores also appear under the puppy's tail and around the anus.

Kerions are lesions that appear once the ringworm takes hold and causes a secondary infection in the dog's hair follicles. They are raised red lumps that the puppy may bite or scratch to rip open. The lumps usually feel firm. Kerions may also indicate that because of the scratching, the puppy now has Staphylococcus. The puppy's immune system at this point is under attack, and immediate veterinary care is needed.

Ringworm is highly contagious. It can jump between species. Any puppies with signs of ringworm need to be isolated (if possible) from other dogs, cats, small children and people with immunity problems. When taking care of infected puppies, always wear gloves, and do not kiss them.

There currently is no way to prevent ringworm, except to keep healthy animals away from infected ones. Ringworm is a treatable condition, usually with a combination of fungicide shampoos and medication. Antibiotics may also be given to fight any infections or if the puppy has numerous open sores.