How do you know if it's mange or ringworm?

Question

Just wondering,a while back the vet said ringworm and I am still treating my Bochon(1yr. old) for it. He hasn't been around any other animals,totally an inside dog,so where is he getting it?The solution I have been putting on him is not working this time.Can someone tell me why he is getting it back again & again?
Also a friend mentioned it might be the mange,what is this and how do they get it,how is it treated?
Is it similar to ringworm?
Thanks in advance:))

Also, another question I have .............if an animal is a carrier of ringworm can it be given something that will get rid of it or will it always have it?
None of the people in the house has gotten it so far,if my dog has had it for almost a year,wouldn't one of us have gotten it by now?
Thanks again:))

About the blacklight.......I just tried that and I don't see anything but white,what color would it show up if he has ringworm?

Answer 1

Mange and ringworm can look a lot a like. Ringworm, which really isn't a worm at all, is a fungal infection. The ringworm spores can live up to 18 months floating around in the air and on things like brushes, blankets, grooming aids, etc. Mild cases take about 4 months to treat.

Mange is basically ***** scabies. There are two types of mange. Most, if not all dogs, already have the mites on them from birth. On dogs who have a compromised immune system, are overly stressed, or weak the parasites can reproduce too rapidly. The parasites are transmitted from direct contact, often from the mother to the puppy. Once a dog is infected, it takes about 4 months for the lesions to show up.

Anti-fungal treatments work on ringworm, and anti-parasitic treatments work on mange. There are a lot of over-the-counter meds that will help both conditions. But the trick is to tell for sure which you're dealing with. Your vet can do a skin culture on the sores to tell for sure which it is.

Taking into consideration the different levels of severity of each, it's really too hard for a regular person to diagnosis it on his/her own just by looking at it. If your vet already did this culture, rest assured that it's ringworm (and remember to treat your pup's environment, since the fungus lives for 18 months and the dog, and you, can get reinfected). If you vet only visually examined the sores, or used a black light, or inspected the hairs around the sore (all are common, although less reliable ways, of diagnosing ringworm/mange), then take your pup back and say you want a culture done.

Good luck!

Answer 2

You need to get a second opinion. Ringworm is a fungus and is easily treated with medicated baths and/or oral medications. You didn't say how long you have been treating your dog. Here is a hint: If you have a black light available, ringworm is fluorescent under a black light.

There are two types of mange....demodectic and sarcoptic. Demodectic is inherited and not contagious to humans or other dogs. Sarcoptic is not inherited, but is contagious to people, other dogs and even to cats. So if your dog had saccoptic mange, your and your family would probably be itching as well.

You can Google and research demodectic mange, but you really do need to take your dog to another vet if his skin problem is not showing improvement. The sooner he gets the proper treatment for demodex, the easier it is to treat.

Answer 3

Mange & ringworm are very different, both are contagious and need specfic topical medicine. Mange is the worse of the 2, but both are treatable. Go back to your vet. If it hasn't been cured in a year. Your dog may have not totally gotten rid of the problem because it may need an antibiotic to help kill it internally. Please see your vet again or try a different vet if you feel that the dog didn't get a complete examination for this problem.

Answer 4

Seems like the vet would know whether it is mange or not.
Mange is caused by a parasite, sort of like lice.
Ringworm is a fungus.
I say talk to vet again.
Remove all pet bedding and clean every surface that the dog may come in contact with. Lysol spray, bleach, some other disinfectant.
Hope that helps.
Good luck