Effective treatments for lichen in dogs. How to treat ringworm in a dog with folk remedies Ringworm in dogs treatment with ordinary vinegar

Lichen in dogs is a pathology of an infectious nature that affects the skin of animals. Its causative agents are a variety of pathogenic viruses and fungi, which are also dangerous for the owner of the dog.

The spores of the fungus are highly resistant to environmental conditions, therefore, they remain viable for several years. Warm, humid weather is a fertile environment for them, in which spores actively divide and infect the upper layers of the animal's epidermis.

Channels of infection and general signs of the disease

A lichen dog is dangerous for his environment - he infects his fellow tribesmen and owners. And the contact method of infection is given a dominant place here. A good dog breeder knows how important it is to walk your pet among trusted family members. In no case should he be allowed to communicate with stray individuals.

Cases of infection of a dog due to the fact that it was lying on someone else's bedding, eating from a bowl of an infected "brother" or simply indulging in its toys are not rare. Also, the disease can be transmitted through collars and leashes.

The main factor favoring the development of canine lichen is the weakened immune system of the pet. The risk of catching an infection increases when the dog:

feeds puppies;
malnourished;
bears offspring;
did not get stronger after a viral illness;
is at a young/old age;
suffering from cancer.

The mechanism of development of depriving makes itself felt by rashes on any part of the body. Subsequently, the affected area grows in size, the dog's skin becomes covered with a reddish crust and loses hair. Now bald patches with clear boundaries “flaunt” on it. In advanced forms, pus oozes out from under the crust.

Unbearable itching leads to the fact that the dog begins to actively itch. And this is already an alarming symptom, signaling problems in his health. What to do in this case? It is not worth waiting for the progress of the pathology, it is necessary to show the pet to the veterinarian as soon as possible. Otherwise, his body will soon be covered with inflamed colored spots, prone to peeling.

Signs of lichen in dogs include changes such as hair loss, the formation of microcracks on the skin, damage to hair follicles. Animals become lethargic and susceptible to other ailments.

What types of lichen do dogs get?

1. is considered the most dangerous to the health of the animal.

It develops from one maternal plaque, from which child spots subsequently branch off. Yellow-pink foci up to 2 cm in diameter have a rounded shape. Since the affected areas itch, the dog tends to scratch them. Peeling foci are able to resolve on their own after 6 weeks from the moment the first element pops up.

2. in dogs, it affects not only the body and head, but also the tail, limbs, nose, and even claws.

It is recognized by oval or round spots that quickly spread throughout the body of the animal. Infected areas become, they cause itching and lose vegetation. If you look closely at the skin tissue of a dog, you can see broken, as if sheared hairs. Therefore, this variety of lichen was given such a definition as ringworm.

The photo shows different forms of lichen in dogs. We hope that our database will help to recognize dangerous skin pathology in your pet in a timely manner.

3. Weeping lichen in dogs is not a contagious disease of the dermis.

It develops due to allergies and is inflammatory in nature. The symptoms of this pathology are as follows:

From the attention of a good owner, such changes as cracks, crusts, bubbles that have formed on the body of a pet will not escape.

4. - a common reason for which dog breeders seek help from a veterinarian.

What does this lichen look like in dogs? The primary sign of the disease is a small pink spot, the process of formation of which proceeds without visible inflammation. The lesions gradually appear on the neck, paws and back of the dog. The affected area acquires a color with variations from yellow to brown.

5. develops in dogs due to the activity of the herpes virus. Initially, the disease is manifested by itching on the belly and areas between the ribs. Later, the picture is supplemented by the formation of liquid elements that burst and become crusted. The disease affects not only the stomach - it can spoil any part of the body of a four-legged friend.

Identifying the first signs of lichen requires isolating the dog from the household. In order to disinfect, it is necessary to wash all the favorite places of the animal with bleach. To avoid infection while caring for a sick pet, it is recommended to use gloves and wash your hands with soap and water.

Principles of treatment for canine lichen

The success of the treatment of the animal is determined by an integrated approach to the fight against the disease. For the convenience of performing external processing procedures, the hair surrounding the problematic focus should be cut.

wash with warm water;
wipe with iodine;
treated with an antifungal drug (Zoomikol, Clotrimazole, Mycozolon).

During the treatment, it is important not to allow the dog to lick the medicines from the skin. To do this, you can use a special collar designed to wrap the pet's neck.

How to remove lichen, flowing in ringworm form? Veterinarians prescribe strong antifungal drugs:

To protect the liver, hepatoprotectors are included in the course of treatment with these drugs.

High efficiency in the treatment of lichen in animals is given by vaccination with Vakderm, Polivak, Mentavak. Injections are injected into the muscle according to the course developed by the veterinarian. In general, the treatment takes from 8 to 10 weeks, and its success is facilitated by early diagnosis.

With a disseminated form of the disease, the hair climbs in shreds all over the body of the dog. The disease is characterized by the absence of bald patches or vice versa, their multiple formation. In this case, the animal is shown Nizoral and Imaverol shampoos - mild products that should be washed without deviating from the instructions.

How to treat lichen in a dog in order to prevent the development of an allergy to drugs? For this, experts prescribe antihistamines (Diphenhydramine, Tavegil). After the first vaccination, the animal may experience deterioration, however, all changes in this case are not considered abnormal. Through them, the body shows the fight against the disease.

Along with the activation of specific immunity, it is also important to maintain the pet's defense system itself and its general condition. To achieve these goals, the following groups of funds are prescribed to the animal:

probiotics to stabilize the digestive tract;
immunomodulators (Ribotan, Immunofan);
vitamin-containing complexes (Gamavit, multivitamins, vitamins for wool).

How to treat lichen in a dog for defeat - the main culprits in the disease? External preparations Fungin-spray and Yam ointment will help here.

They should be applied with the capture of healthy tissues. Before processing, wool growing at the lesions is recommended to be cut.

Our four-legged friends, in the company of happy owners, feel comfortable and safe.

But sometimes even a high house and a strong owner cannot protect the animal from trouble. How to treat lichen in a dog if such an ailment knocked on your house? What measures should be taken so that this, at first glance, a small problem does not become a total threat to both the animal and the whole family.

What drugs to use, what methods to resort to, and how to properly use the means of combating lichen - today in our article we will answer these and many other questions.

Lichen is a fairly common skin disease in animals, and dogs are no exception. This problem is caused by some types of pathogenic virus or fungus. The danger of this problem, at or in an apartment, is that this trouble can very quickly move from a dog to a person.

Although the main route of infection is through contact with an infected animal, lichen can also be picked up through the soil. Its spores remain in working condition in the soil for about 2 years. Hot and damp weather will be favorable for the growth of the fungus.

There are several factors that predispose an animal to infection.

The main factors are:

weakened immunity;
lactation period;
transferred viral diseases;
oncological problems;
unbalanced diet;
youth, or vice versa, the old age of the dog.

And if you draw a line, then the general state of weakness of the animal's body will be a favorable tool for the development of lichen on the animal.

Know the enemy!

Before you deal with the treatment of lichen, you need to figure out what varieties of this disease are distinguished. All varieties of lichen differ in both signs and the degree of danger to the pet.

You can distinguish lichen by external signs, and according to these characteristics, lichen is divided into:

Weeping lichen.
Ringworm.
Pityriasis.
Pink.
Girdle.

Now consider each type of lichen separately and in detail.

weeping lichen

This type of lichen is also called eczema. This disease can have a varied course. Both chronic and acute inflammatory. The nature of weeping lichen is allergic.

The main manifestations of weeping lichen in a dog will be:

rash;
itching and burning in the affected areas;
puffiness;
the likely appearance of crusts, cracks and bubbles;
peeling of the skin.

To eliminate this problem, you need to resort to complex treatment. The first step towards victory over weeping lichen will be to find out the causes of the occurrence.

There can be a lot of reasons for the occurrence, ranging from infection to malnutrition. Contact your veterinarian for advice on this matter. He will prescribe you the right treatment for the animal.

Treatment will begin by cutting the hair around the affected areas so that the damaged tissue can breathe. After that, you need to treat the areas with an anti-inflammatory agent. An infusion of St. John's wort or the drug Dimexide can help with this. After that, you need to use drying agents: powders, zinc-based ointments or just talc.

If the animal suffers from very severe itching, then antihistamines such as Suprastin or Diphenhydramine can be applied to the damaged areas. Preparations Sulfur-3 and Mercurius are prescribed for internal use in animals. In rare cases, a diet for allergy sufferers is recommended.

Ringworm in a dog

Ringworm, as it were, cuts out the hair in the affected areas.

This comrade can affect the skin of the tail, head, ears and limbs of the dog, as well as the nose and claws.

Symptoms of this disease in dogs are:

not very large, up to 2 cm, round or oval spots;
rapid spread;
scales appear on the affected areas of the skin. In the future, they begin to bald and itch.

Actually, because of the loss of wool in the affected areas, this lichen was called ringworm.

At home, ringworm treatment is carried out as follows:

You need to cut the hair around the affected area. When shearing, you need to capture 2-3 centimeters of healthy wool. You can distinguish the affected coat by color - healthy coat is much paler.
Removed wool must be destroyed.
Before treating the affected areas, the crusts must be removed.

The simplest treatment for ringworm is iodine treatment. The affected areas should be lubricated once every two days.

It is important to note that when treated in this manner, the dog may experience complications such as necrosis of the skin layers or contact dermatitis.

This type of lichen is also called multi-colored or beach lichen. This is a fairly common type of lichen. The first signs of the appearance of an ailment on the body of a dog will be a small pink spot on the body. At this stage, you will not find any more visible signs. This lichen actively develops on the back, paws and neck of the animal.

How to determine that an area of \u200b\u200bthe skin of an animal is already affected by lichen? The affected area will have a coloration that differs from the dog's normal skin color. Color can vary from yellow to brown. In addition, peeling of the skin will be observed.

How to treat lichen in a dog if it has been touched by such a variety? Pityriasis versicolor should be treated according to a special technique.

For treatment, we need the following drugs:

onion juice. They should lubricate the affected areas of the skin once a day.
5-10% sulfuric ointment;
3-5% salicylic alcohol;
antifungal agent Undecivit;
drug Neotigazon;
Wilkinson's ointment.

Before using drugs, you must always consult with a specialist. These drugs have some contraindications for use, which are repelled by the general physical condition of the animal.

pink lichen

This species is considered extremely dangerous. The danger of pink lichen is that it occurs against the background of a weakened immune system of the animal. And as a result, combing the affected areas of the body, it can introduce a new infection, which, without feeling the resistance of the immune system, will begin to progress in the body of the animal.

The first sign of pink lichen will be small round yellow-pink spots, which will be no more than 2 cm in diameter. However, very soon the entire body of the dog will be covered with such marks. The disease appears and develops very rapidly, but can also disappear quickly.

To a greater extent, treatment is carried out more for prevention. This disease does not require special medical intervention. In most cases, recovery will take 5-6 weeks.

Before starting the fight and prevention, be sure to consult a veterinarian so as not to aggravate the condition of the animal, in whose body there may already be some kind of infection introduced when combing the skin.

But everyone agrees that during this period the animal cannot be bathed, but you can walk for a long time in the sun. This will make things a little easier for your pet.

The causative agent of shingles is the herpes virus.

This lichen is caused by the herpes virus. Manifestations of this disease begin in the region of the ribs and on the belly. The first sign will be itching, but soon bubbles with liquid will begin to appear in the affected area. They will burst over time, and already in their place it will be possible to see crusts.

It should be noted that the disease will not always manifest itself in this area. In exceptional cases, the disease can affect other parts of the body.

Antiviral drugs are used to treat shingles. Analgesics, antiseptics and corticosteroid ointments.

Man, beware. I'm coming!

The danger of this problem is not only that the animal will have to be rid of itching, discomfort and potential deterioration in physical condition. The main trouble is that lichen is a disease that is transmitted without the slightest difficulty from an infected animal to a person. And if you do not ensure a good disinfection of the home after the elimination of lichen, the possibility of re-infection does not disappear.

Superficial trichophytosis appears on skin covered with hair and on smooth skin. Externally, the disease is manifested by foci of a rounded shape on the skin. They have a clear color demarcation with healthy skin. The incubation period lasts about a week, after which the manifestation of clinical signs begins.

Areas of the skin begin to acquire a grayish-pink color and begin to peel off. In the affected areas, the hair is broken off at the level of the skin, sometimes the hair does not fall out, but is bent and twisted in these places.

In some cases, the hair may be covered with a gray-white coating, consisting of fungal spores. There is no itching in the affected areas, and purulent nodules, vesicles and crusts can be distinguished on the periphery. Symptoms may vary depending on the pathogen, type of fungus and human health.

If you find the first hints of trichophytosis, you need to urgently see a doctor, and when confirming the diagnosis, limit contact with family and friends.

Treatment of trichophytosis

Treatment of trichophytosis of smooth skin without damage to vellus hair is carried out by applying tincture of iodine 2-5%, antifungal ointments, 10-20% sulfuric or 10% sulfur-tar ointment to the foci.

Among modern antifungal ointments can be identified.

Dogs often have skin diseases: allergies, dermatitis, infection with insects and mites. Ringworm in dogs is one of the skin diseases called dermatophytosis. It is caused by fungi and other types of pathogenic microorganisms.

Ringworm in dogs is one of the skin diseases called dermatophytosis.

What does lichen look like in a dog, every person should know. This is necessary so that the disease does not spread from sick animals to healthy ones. In addition, it is important to know that ringworm, which appeared in a pet, is contagious to humans. Therefore, you should not contact children and the elderly with a sick four-legged friend.

When treating lichen at home, adults need to take precautions, treat the room with bleach, use gloves. Having discovered the symptoms of the disease, it is important not to delay treatment.

Lichen itself is not life-threatening, but an infected animal becomes a target for other pathogens.

What to do if there are signs of lichen? In such a situation, contacting a veterinarian and treatment should be immediate. Fungal colonies should not be allowed to grow.

There are 2 ways of infection:

the fungus is transmitted from a sick animal if a healthy individual lay down on a bedding or ate from a sick bowl, played with his toys;
pathogenic fungus gets on the wool from the soil.

The risk of infection increases if the four-legged friend has a weakened immune system, which happens in such cases:

Pregnancy.
The female has puppies to feed.
postpartum period.
Bad nutrition.
Transferred viral disease.
Oncological disease.

Lichen in dogs and cats is more common among young animals (under the age of one year) and in adults with weak immunity.

What does lichen look like in a dog, every person should know

In a dog, the focus of the disease first appears in one place, then spreads further through the body. The behavior of the animal changes: it becomes lethargic, apathetic. From lichen in dogs, hair falls out, the skin becomes covered with crusts, cracks, peeling are possible. Most often, symptoms are observed on the limbs, muzzle and lower abdomen (underbelly), claws may crack. In a puppy, lichen appears on the head and limbs.

Ringworm in cats and dogs (video)

Types of lichen in dogs

Differentiate these types of dermatophytosis:

Pink deprive. This is the most dangerous kind. Small yellow-pink spots form from a fairly large spot called the maternal plaque. Bald skin flakes off. With such lichen in dogs, drug treatment may not be necessary, because the disease often resolves on its own after 1-1.5 months.
Ringworm (trichophytosis). It is trichophytosis that a person infects from a pet. Caused by two types of fungus. The disease can be observed on the body, head, muzzle, paws including claws.

The symptoms of ringworm in dogs are:

the pet refuses to eat;
a rash appears, accompanied by itching;
oval or round alopecia appear;
if boils form, the outflow of pus forms crusts.

Lichen in dogs and cats is more common among young animals

The disease got its name because in the affected areas, the remains of the hairs look like shorn. Treating ringworm in a dog is a must.

Other types of disease:

Weeping lichen. It is not contagious because it develops as a result of an allergy. At the same time, there are: puffiness, rashes, bubbles that burst, contents flow out of them, scratches, cracks, crusts.
Pityriasis versicolor. This is the most common form of the disease in dogs. Starts with a pink dot. With pityriasis versicolor in dogs, the affected areas of the skin can be yellow to brown in color, which is why this lichen is called multi-colored. It is observed on the neck, back and limbs.
Shingles. It is caused by the herpes virus. Initially, itching appears in the costal part and on the abdomen. Later, bubbles with liquid contents appear. Bursting bubbles form crusts. Herpes can occur anywhere.

Treatment for lichen in a dog

How to cure lichen in a dog, everyone who has a four-legged pet should know. Comprehensive treatment is necessarily carried out, which includes local and systemic (with the use of drugs in the form of tablets and injections) therapy.

From depriving dogs, there are many good drugs:

Antifungal ointments: Ketoconazole, Dermatol, Yam, Exoderil, sulfuric ointment.
Tinctures and extracts: Yuglone, hellebore tincture.
Sprays: Fungin, Zoomekol.
Antibiotics and antifungals: Fluconazole, Griseofulvin, Ketoconazole.

When treating lichen in a pet, it is important to increase the defenses of the animal's body. For this purpose, vitamins, immunomodulators are additionally prescribed, and antihistamines are prescribed to prevent allergies to drugs.

If the dog's hair falls out in patches or there are a lot of bald patches, it is recommended to use special shampoos: Nizoral or Imaverol.

When treating at home, it is necessary to take precautions: after caring for an animal, be sure to wash your hands and disinfect tools. It is better to apply the drug with gloves.

Before starting to treat ringworm, it is necessary to cut off the hair around the bald spot by 2-3 cm. Before each application of the ointment, it is necessary to treat the skin with iodine.

Ointment from the disease is applied not only to the affected area, but also to healthy skin around the spot. It is necessary to observe the animal so that it does not lick off the medicine. For this there is a special protective collar.

How to cure lichen in a dog with folk remedies (video)

Other methods of treatment and prevention of the disease

There are many ways to treat the described disease in a four-legged friend with folk methods. A good result is the lubrication of the affected skin with such substances:

5-6 times a day with apple cider vinegar.
Tar three times a day.
Waste motor oil.
Finely grated garlic.

When treating at home, you can use garlic to lubricate stains in the following combinations:

a mixture of garlic juice with honey (several times a day, the course lasts 1 week);
a mixture of garlic juice with wine vinegar (3-5 times a day until recovery);
garlic juice diluted in half with camphor oil (3-4 times a day).

Treating ringworm is troublesome and expensive. Therefore, it is better to prevent the disease. For the prevention of dermatophytosis, it is necessary:

To prevent ringworm in dogs, a veterinarian may suggest vaccination with special preparations (Vakderm, Mentavak).

It is important that the treatment is brought to the complete recovery of the pet, and not stopped after the first positive results.

Attention, only TODAY!

One of the most common pathologies in dogs is ringworm. To a greater extent, this disease occurs in stray animals. But sometimes pets get infected too. Treatment of lichen at home should be under the supervision of a veterinarian.

The development of ringworm is provoked by a fungal infection.

Infection usually occurs through contact with a sick animal through the coat. Favorable conditions for the growth of ringworm are very sunny or cold days.

A dog can become infected with lichen through contact with a sick animal.

Ringworm can be rapidly transmitted to humans. Children get infected the fastest.

Factors

At a young age, dogs are more susceptible to infection.

Veterinarians identify the following factors that predispose to infection with ringworm:

lactation period.
The presence of a cancerous tumor.
Young age.
Bearing puppies.
Elderly age.
Unbalanced diet.
Transmitted viral infections.

In addition, symptoms can occur against the background of a weakened immune system.

Symptoms and signs of lichen in dogs

Ringworm affects the skin:

muzzle;
ears;
tail;
heads.

Ringworm on the face of a dog.

Sometimes the claws and nose are affected.

The main symptom of this lichen are rashes. They have an oval shape and are small in size - up to 2 cm. The spots spread rapidly throughout the body of the animal.

On the affected areas scales appear. Over time, they begin to itch a lot. The dog itches, the hair falls out quickly. Due to the appearance of bald patches, this type of lichen is called ringworm.

Diagnosis

Lichen can be diagnosed with a blood test.

Lichen is diagnosed in the following ways:

Microscopy of affected hairs.

Analysis of urine.

LD-diagnosis.

Culture of infected skin samples.

LD diagnostics also called Wood's Lamps. The presence of infection is indicated by a greenish illumination of the affected areas. But this method cannot be called the most reliable.

The most accurate diagnostic method is culture of infected skin samples. It takes about 14 days.

Help the dog

Today, lichen can be cured quite quickly. The result of therapy appears already after about 3-5 days . The dog is prescribed medication, as well as diet therapy. The pet's diet should be enriched with vitamins and nutritional supplements. This helps to strengthen the immune system.

For the treatment of lichen, vitamins are prescribed.

Treating lichen in a dog at home

First of all, sick the dog must be isolated from children and other pets. The owner who cares for the animal must strictly adhere to the rules of personal hygiene. The room in which the pet is located must be thoroughly ventilated. Wet cleaning should be regular. The use of disinfectants is mandatory. It is necessary to process all objects that the animal has touched.

The room in which the dog lives should be ventilated frequently.

It is important not to allow your pet to comb and lick the affected areas.

This can be done with special collars.

Use of local funds

Therapy is carried out with antifungal drugs. Most of them contain iodine, which is detrimental to fungi.

Dermatol.

Zoomicola.

Griseofulfin.

Yuglona.

Griseofulfin is an antifungal drug.

Algorithm

Before using any of these ointments, gently cut off the coat from the affected areas . Veterinarians recommend capturing healthy hairs as well. The cut fur should be burned immediately.

formed crusts need to try to separate from the skin . After that, you can begin to treat the affected surface.

First a small amount of iodine is applied and only then ointment. Rapid absorption can be ensured by wrapping the treated skin with a bandage or a piece of clean gauze.

Before using the ointment, you need to trim the hair from the affected area.

Use of other means

Iodine It is recommended to use 1 time / 48 hours. During therapy, side effects may occur. The most common is necrosis of the layers of the skin. Another side effect is contact.

In order to avoid the appearance of unpleasant effects, you need to pay attention to other drugs. According to veterinarians, ointment " Yam". It is recommended to use it 3 times/24 hours.

This ointment can be combined with clotrimazole . This cream should be applied three times a day.

With a large area of damage, it is recommended to use Ketoconazole . This remedy is applied 3 times / 24 hours. It is a very strong medicine with practically no side effects.

Iodine can be applied once every two days.

Use of special shampoos

The use of shampoos is acceptable when there are no bald patches, and the hair climbs in tufts.

In this case, almost the entire surface of the skin is affected. In this case, the treatment of the animal with ointment is difficult. Against the background of the high toxicity of the drug, sometimes it is completely contraindicated.

Shampoo is used up to 5 times. The optimal interval is 24-48 hours. When bathing a sick dog, thoroughly rinse off the foam. Otherwise, there is a risk of getting the funds into the pet's stomach.

Shampoo should not be used more than 5 times.

If the dog is the owner of a luxurious, thick coat, then it is recommended to completely shave it.

If there are few bald patches, then the use of shampoo can harm the animal. Water procedures contribute to the spread of spores to the remaining uninfected areas of the skin.

If the treatment is carried out in the cold season, then, going for a walk, you need to put on a dog overalls. Freezing negatively affects the pet's immunity.

Use of special solutions

Salicylic acid is used to treat the skin.

In addition to shampoos and ointments, solutions of salicylic acid, clotrimazole are used. They are used for the purpose of local treatment of the skin. They should be used only as prescribed by a veterinarian and only in the recommended dosage.

Medical therapy

But also a sick animal can be given an appointment:

vitamin-containing complexes;

hepatoprotectors;

immunomodulators;

antihistamine drugs;

probiotics.

The drug Imunofan is a strong immunomodulator.

The dog is prescribed multivitamins, as well as special vitamins that stimulate hair growth. Hepatoprotectors written with a purpose. The most powerful immunomodulators are Imunofan, Maksidin .

For a positive result, you should not stop the prescribed treatment.

Sometimes a veterinarian will prescribe a drug using the simple choice method. Unfortunately, the fungus can mutate very quickly . The remedy for lichen should be chosen after passing the sensitivity test. Otherwise, there is a risk that the disease will become chronic.

It is necessary to destroy not only infected wool, but also crumbling spores. This can be done by shining a UV lamp or steam. It helps to use an iron with a steam generator.

Noticing progress, you can not stop therapy. The course must be completed in full. A dog is considered cured only after 2 tests, taken 7 days apart, are negative.

Dog ringworm video

Ringworm is one of the most severe and annoying pet ailments. Worst of all, you cannot be completely protected from it, since fungi are transmitted by spores flying in the air. In order to become infected, it is enough that such spores get on the body, and the immune system does not cope with the danger that has arisen. This is how ringworm develops.

The culprit of ringworm is fungi of the genus Trichophyton and Microsporum, respectively, the diseases they cause are called trichophytosis and microsporia. The difference between them is not fundamental, both of them are characterized by certain signs and require the same treatment.

Fungi reproduce with the help of very tenacious spores - they withstand both temperature fluctuations and other environmental influences. If the spores get on the skin or hairs, infection occurs. The waste products of fungi destroy the epidermis, damage the follicles and the hair itself. As a result, the latter fall out and look as if broken off, hence the name of the disease.

Types of lichen in dogs

Fungal infection manifests itself in different ways, in the form of several subtypes of lichen:

pink - has a viral nature, the most harmless. It resolves on its own in a maximum of five days. does not require treatment)
ringworm (so called both microsporia and trichophytosis). A characteristic feature is oval spots on the fur coat of a four-legged friend, bald spots;
pityriasis - the cause of its appearance are fungi. First, a bright pink spot appears on the skin, which soon turns yellow or brown;
eczema (weeping lichen). In fact, the name "lichen" is inappropriate here, as it does not naturally correspond to other subtypes of lichen. Eczema is caused by allergens, not fungi. The disease manifests itself as follows: first, a patch of skin is sprinkled with a thick rash, then this place turns red and swells, cracks and nodules with liquid also appear.

Table 1. Types of lichen in dogs

Type of lichen	Source of infection	The danger of human infection from a dog
ringworm	Dermatophytes	Yes
pityriasis	Yeast-like fungi Malasseziafurfur, Pityrosporumorbiculare, Pityrosporumovale	Not
Pink	infection, allergens	Not
Eczema	Allergens	Not

Which subtype of lichen bothers a particular dog, it is better to entrust it to a specialist to find out. Self-diagnosis and self-treatment can bring irreparable harm to the body.

How infection occurs

Most often, infection occurs through contact with a sick animal - a cat or other dog. This risk is especially great if the pet somehow communicated with stray dogs. The fungus enters healthy tissue and begins to multiply.

There is also a high risk of infection through indirect contact - through toys, dishes, combs, beds of a sick dog. The spores of the fungus of a sick dog fall on the objects immediately surrounding it, on the collar, muzzle, leash, and anything that the dog was approaching. This item becomes a potential source of danger to other pets. This also applies to earth, sand, construction debris or rodents - fungal spores of a sick animal can be anywhere.

A huge role in this mechanism is played by the degree of immune protection of the dog. Dogs with low immunity are more at risk. The greatest danger threatens puppies and very young dogs, or vice versa - very old and weakened by diseases. Most often they become infected in autumn and spring - this is due not only to a seasonal drop in body resistance, but also to a deficiency of ultraviolet rays, which are detrimental to fungi.

Attention! There is a high risk of getting a fungal infection (and not only for a dog) in poorly ventilated damp rooms where sanitation is not paid due attention.

Signs of ringworm

The incubation period is from eight to forty days. Usually the dog, even before the appearance of external symptoms, lets know that her health is far from satisfactory. The animal may feel sad for no reason, refuses to eat, does not communicate with the owners. Then external manifestations begin - spots appear on the tail, head, especially in the behind-the-ear region, at the bottom of the paws. The spots are rounded, small, clearly outlined. The hairs completely fall out of them, then the skin begins to peel off and itch, the color of the integument changes.

Then there are nodules filled with liquid, the skin becomes uneven and covered with a crust. Another obligatory companion of any ringworm is severe itching, sometimes reaching unbearable. A person and a dog, having become ill, experience constant discomfort and comb the affected areas, which then change color and bleed.

Attention! The disease can ruin not only the fur coat, but also the claws of the dog. This is evidenced by a change in shape and delamination of the claws.

Forecast

With timely treatment, the prognosis is quite favorable. Adequate measures usually guarantee a complete cure and soon the dog will forget that he once had lichen. But in the absence of treatment, the prognosis is very serious, since there is a high risk of the spread of inflammation and even the occurrence of sepsis.

Diagnostics

If the pet has at least one or two disturbing signs, especially if the dog is lethargic and becomes unsociable, this is already sufficient reason to immediately sign up for an examination with a veterinarian. For a preliminary diagnosis, a Wood's lamp will be shined on the dog's fur coat. The areas affected by fungi will immediately turn emerald green. But to complete the picture, this measure is often not enough. Therefore, the patient is given a deep skin scraping, seeding is performed. On the basis of laboratory data, we can already talk about treatment.

Treatment

Deprive requires complex treatment. It includes:

ointments ("YAM BK");
tablets ("Griseofulvin", "Ketoconazole", "Itraconazole", "Fluconazole");
antihistamines ("Zodak", "Febtal");
probiotics to balance the work of the gastrointestinal tract ("Villot");
immunomodulators ("Fosprenil", "Ribotan");
vitamin complexes (Excel Brewers Yeast, Gelakan Baby, Kanvit, Kanvit-Junior).

A sick dog must be placed in quarantine - a separate room, preventing him from contacting other people and animals. It is also necessary to systematically lubricate the affected areas of the coat with ointments. However, external means can be limited only at the earliest stage of the disease. In the future, they will no longer be enough. Dried crusts from sores are removed before treating wounds. The dog is put on a special protective collar so that it cannot comb or lick the sore spot.

The skin and coat of the dog should be treated regularly. Experts recommend in such cases to apply:

ointments ("Clotrimazole", "Sanoderm", "Termikon", "Fungin", "YAM BK");
special shampoos with antifungal action ("Nizoral");
solutions ("Fukortsin", "Miconazole").

At the same time, it is still important to show the dog to the veterinarian, since the specifics of treatment depend on the specific type of lichen. In addition, you should be unambiguously sure that your pet has lichen, and not some other ailment with similar symptoms. And such a conclusion can only be made by a veterinarian on the basis of the research data obtained.

Treatment at home

Many owners are prejudiced against veterinary clinics, believing that all the necessary manipulations of the dog can be done on their own, and veterinarians are only interested in their own profit. Experts are not inclined to call non-drug remedies unambiguously bad. They can cope well with swelling, irritation, redness. But to eliminate the main cause of ringworm - fungi, they cannot.

So, we can say with confidence that in most cases it is impossible to cure lichen at home without contacting a veterinarian. The only exception is the very beginning of the disease. But even in this case, reasonable care must be taken, since the same alcohol solution can seriously damage the dog's skin.

Popular folk remedies that, according to numerous statements, can cope with lichen in dogs include:

iodine (the affected areas are lubricated four times a day. You can’t let the dog lick!);
apple cider vinegar (lubricate the stains five to six times in 24 hours).

It is best to put on a special medical collar on the dog to prevent it from getting wet.

Why is it necessary to see a doctor?

The number of people who are unreasonably afraid of veterinarians, unfortunately, has not decreased much. Some generally believe that the dog's lichen will definitely pass, you just have to wait. He really can pass - going into the stage of sepsis and ending with the life of a dog that could be cured and not tormented.

In addition, by delaying an appointment with a clinic, a person delays the start of adequate treatment. Fungi, meanwhile, have time to occupy a larger area, the infection spreads further throughout the body.

Important! Never and under no circumstances should a dog be treated with sulfuric ointment, pure alcohol or brilliant green. Let the latter be considered a "primordial folk remedy." Such remedies, in fact, are not only absolutely ineffective in combating the disease, but can also harm no worse than the fungi themselves, causing tissue burns.

Another benefit of going to the veterinarian is to increase the likelihood of a correct diagnosis. Lichen is not always obvious and can be confused with diseases that are similar in symptoms, such as pyoderma and seborrheic eczema. You can read below about how dermatitis manifests itself and what diagnostic methods will help distinguish it from lichen.

Video - Lichen in pets

Caring for a sick dog

The first and most important measure is the strict and scrupulous implementation of all the prescriptions of the veterinarian. It is necessary to systematically take tests, make sure that the dog receives regular and sufficient dietary food of good quality.

Ideally, of course, it would be better to place the dog for the duration of treatment for lichen in a veterinary hospital, in a hospital. Of course, such a measure is costly. If you can’t afford it, you should especially scrupulously monitor personal hygiene - yours and your pet’s, and you can only take rubber gloves out for a walk and pet your dog. It is better not to let other household members near him for the duration of the treatment. Well, if for the duration of treatment, the dog has the opportunity to take a separate corner in the apartment - for example, arrange it on the loggia. At the same time, general cleaning with disinfection will have to be carried out there up to three times a week. Be sure to disinfect all items with which the animal has come into contact.

Attention! Walking a dog is now possible only separately from other groups, outside the playgrounds and gathering places for dog lovers.

Prevention

Like any other ailment, lichen is easier to prevent than to deal with it later. It is enough to perform steps that are feasible for absolutely any person:

regularly clean the apartment with the use of disinfectants;
wash shoes more often;
regularly bathe the dog if necessary, wash his paws after returning from the street;
protecting the pet from any other animals, especially strangers or homeless ones;
increasing attention to personal hygiene - this applies to all the inhabitants of the house.

The best way to keep your four-legged friend safe is to vaccinate him. However, it should be remembered that this measure is by no means so harmless and can lead to health problems. Be sure to take immunomodulators, hepatoprotectors and vitamins after vaccination.

Video - Ringworm in a dog

Conclusion

You should not be afraid of depriving. This, albeit a very serious, but not fatal disease, where the cure directly depends on the degree of patience of the owner and his attention to the daily routine, to hygiene requirements. At the slightest suspicious signs of lichen, the dog must be taken to the veterinary clinic for the necessary tests and examination. It is absolutely painless and will not cause any inconvenience to your pet. It is important to remember that a seriously neglected disease can threaten not only the comfort and health, but also the life of the dog.