Dog Skin Fungus Treatment

Skin fungus treatment in dogs is very important, in order to give your pet the comfort he needs. Skin fungal infections are frequently yeast infections or ringworm infections. Dogs with a weak immune system, especially puppies and older dogs, are more exposed to this type of infection. Some fungal skin infections (such as ringworm) can also be transmitted to humans, so it is better to treat your dog when the first symptoms appear so that you decrease the risk of developing a skin problem yourself.

Dog Skin Fungus Treatment

Whenever you spot any abnormal-looking areas on your dog's skin, it is best to take him for a veterinary checkup. If the abnormality looks like a circular red welt, you might be dealing with a fungal infection known as ringworm.

It is recommended to clip the hair around the lesion before applying skin fungus treatment. Depending on the exact type of fungal infection, the veterinarian can prescribe a treatment which usually consists of:

You should be careful, because these treatments can cause side effects in your pet such as allergies or skin irritation. You can consult a homeopathic veterinarian for an alternative type of skin fungus treatment, consisting of natural remedies.

Natural Remedies for Fungal Infections

Natural treatments don't have any side effects in your pet and they are designed to deal with the overall health of your dog. There are recipes of homeopathic remedies made to improve the function of the immune system and help the body fight the fungal infections. Remedies based on various compounds can help with skin infections and provide your pet with healthy skin:

  • Tea tree oil extracts
  • Marigold
  • Neem
  • Witch hazel

Causes of Dog Fungal Infections

Skin fungal infections are caused by various types of fungi such as microsporum and trichophyton. The fungi usually live in soil, plants, decaying leaves and animal waste. If they're inhaled, touched or ingested, they can cause a series of conditions ranging from mild skin infections to serious systemic diseases. Since the fungi live in soil, your dog is actually exposed every time he goes out. When on a dog's body, it may also be found in dead skin tissue, nails and hairs.

Complications of Skin Fungal Infections

The infections can be of several types, depending on the exact type of fungus that produces it. Some fungi affect only the skin, but others cause more systemic problems, attacking internal organs as well. Blastomycosis is a fungal infection which attacks one or more body systems: nervous, muskuloskeletal, respiratory and it can also affect the skin.

Candidiasis also causes skin problems and affects the gastrointestinal system and oral cavities. Histoplasmosis is an infection which causes damage in the liver, the eyes, the gastrointestinal system and the bone marrow, typically starting up as a skin condition.

Given the wide variety of fungal infections, it is best to have your pet checked by a veterinarian as soon as you suspect something is wrong.

 

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