Dog Hair Loss and Ringworm: Symptoms, Causes and Treatment

If you can see on your dog's skin patches that are circular and crusty and the diameter of the patches ranges from twelve to fifty millimeters, there's a good chance that he or she has been infected by the skin disease called ringworm. Patches that are caused by ringworm are reddish at the sides and hairless in the middle. This can be a major cause of hair loss in dogs as well as other health issues. It needs to be identified and treated quickly.

The disease is fungal in nature and the involved parasites, Microsporum Canis, attack both the hair follicles and the hair strands themselves.

Modes of Transmission

The transmission mediums of the parasites are soil and hair strands that are infected. Part of the things that you should do to control the spread of the disease is cleaning or disinfecting carpets, furniture, toys, combs, and brushes. Your home should be made sure that it is free of the parasites because they can infect humans.

Symptoms

If the dog is feeling itchy, it is not the ringworm that's directly causing the itch. Some secondary infection is causing it. Thus, you need to act early and perform regular checking on the dog's skin and watch out for the following symptoms.

Development of crusts and scabs - these signs need to be checked especially if the dog is licking or scratching too much.

Check if the animal's nails are deformed, or brittle, or cracked or dry.

Check for lesions that are nodular in structure and round in shape. These lesions are a little bit raised from the skin. Veterinarians call these lesions as kerions.

The hair may fluoresce green when subjected to ultraviolet rays. Fluorescing hair strands can be subjected to laboratory examination to determine if it is ringworm that's causing the phenomenon. Fluorescing hair strands can be caused by other diseases.

Causes

One or two of these things might be the culprit in the development if the disease.

Do not use grooming tools on more than one dog and constantly disinfect your own dog's grooming implements. Open wounds are particularly appealing to the parasites.

Household dust is an easy companion for the parasites. If it is possible for you, use an electrostatic duster. Dirty places are favorite breeding grounds for the parasites.

Always ensure good health for your dog. The parasites can easily sense a weak immune system.

Treatment

A healthy dog can easily get rid of the disease in two to three months on its own, but it will be highly likely that your vet will prescribe medicine. This is to ensure that the disease won't progress and infect the members of your family. The vet would most probably prescribe an antifungal cream, and in cases where several bodily areas are compromised, would suggest that you use an antifungal shampoo. Three to four weeks is the minimum treatment period.

Despite the Ringworm

Despite the disease, don't forget giving your dog your loving care. However, always disinfect yourself after touching or caressing the dog's body. Use alcohol or always wash your hands.

Just don't let the animal feel that he is being treated coldly. It can help speed up the healing process.

This article is not a substitute for professional advice. If you are in any doubt or have any concerns about the health of your dog you may wish to consult with a professional for diagnosis and treatment at the earliest opportunity.

Source:http://ezinearticles.com/?Dog-Hair-Loss-and-Ringworm:-Symptoms,-Causes-and-Treatment&id=8545265

Dogs and Arthritis

Arthritis, or osteoarthritis, or degenerative joint disease, is a condition in which the smooth cartilage that covers and protects the ends of your dog's bones begins to wear away. When this happens it leaves the bones exposed and, on the ends of joints where the bones meet, they begin to rub against each other. This makes the condition very painful and causes inflammation. The condition often worsens as your dog gets older.

Arthritis can occur as a result of normal wear and tear on a joint and progresses as your dog ages. This is known as primary degenerative joint disease. It's not unusual for many older dogs to have some small amount of arthritis as they reach their senior years. They may move stiffly when they first get up. They may feel the cold a little more. They may have a little trouble getting up and down from their naps. Your dog will probably find it harder to use stairs.

Arthritis can also occur as the result of other conditions that affect your dog's joints such as hip dysplasia and elbow dysplasia. These conditions can show up even when your dog is quite young. This is called secondary degenerative joint disease. These problems can be the result of heredity, conformation, trauma, repetitive actions such as too much exercise on hard road surfaces, and so on.

Any dog who is born with a predisposition toward a joint problem will be more likely to develop arthritis at some point in his life. This would include dogs with poor conformation (such as poor hip joints), and dogs who come from families with other dogs who have had a lot of arthritis or hip dysplasia. Any dog who has had an injury to a joint will also be more likely to develop arthritis.

Symptoms of arthritis will vary depending on the dog, the dog's age, the joints involved and the severity of the disease. The first thing most owners will notice is a change in the dog's gait. Dogs will usually try to avoid putting weight on the affected joint. There may be some muscle atrophy in the affected limb since the dog won't be using it as much. For example, if your dog has hip dysplasia in both hind legs, your dog's hind legs may begin to look thinner. He may begin to rely more on his front legs and shoulders to pull himself along so he can avoid using his rear legs as much.

Your dog may also show some changes in appetite if he is experiencing any pain. He may be touchy and irritable with other dogs in the household. In most cases the joints will not be swollen. Instead, the pain will be dull and aching so your dog won't cry out or let you know that he's hurting. Many dogs will seek out warm, soft places to sleep.

These changes may come about gradually so you may not notice them or you may attribute them to advancing age. However, if you call them to your vet's attention he or she will likely be able to confirm that your dog does have arthritis with a few tests.

In extreme cases arthritis can be treated surgically. This would include hip replacement. In most cases dogs are treated with medication for pain management.

Arthritis is usually a progressive disease but it can be mild or severe, depending on the dog. Your dog may only experience mild arthritis or he may have moderate or severe problems. Watch him and consult with your vet about treatment.

Liquid Glucosamine (Vegetarian)

Liquid Glucosamine for small dogs

Painful Arthritis can be eased in many cases by giving a glucosamine supplement to your dog.

Source:https://ezinearticles.com/?Dogs-and-Arthritis&id=8150991