Fungi (Ringworm)

8.9 FUNGI (RINGWORM) Note: The change to pitch (12) and font (1) must be converted manually.

Ringworm is a disease that affects the hair and skin. This disease is found all over the world. It is caused by a single-celled organism called a fungus. In particular, young animals kept in damp, dark conditions seem to suffer from it. When the animals are moved to a dry, clean, sunny place, the fungus infection often clears up on its own. People can also get ringworm, so technicians should also be careful when handling animals with ringworm.

Symptoms: Round shaped areas of hair loss develop mostly on the head and neck. These areas become dry and crusty, and turn a gray color. Sometimes the animal spends time scratching these spots.

Diagnosis: Based on the observed symptoms. One can also remove some of the hairs and crust from the edge of the area of hair loss. Place these hairs on a microscope slide with dilute potassium hydroxide solution for examination. The hairs and crust can also be placed in a clean bottle and sent to a laboratory for fungus identification.

Treatment: The infection spreads easily from animal to animal. It may also spread from feed racks and water troughs where animals scratch themselves.

Treatments applied directly (locally) to infected areas include:

 Tincture of Iodine every other day for seven to fourteen days. Don’t get this into eyes or on sensitive tissue.

 Copper Sulfate powder mixed with petroleum jelly (Vaseline). Apply once and remove completely after 24 hours to avoid burning sensitive skin.

 Thiabendazole paste: one or two applications several days apart.

 Anti-fungal salves or creams that may be available in the market. (e.g. human preparations, Tinactin, etc.)

Systemic treatments include:

 Sodium Iodide given IV or Fulvicin (griseofulvin) boluses Prevention / Control: Clean and dry pens, sunshine, and good diet, all help to prevent ringworm.