What will happen if you don't treat ringworm in a dog? - briefly
If left untreated, canine ringworm can spread rapidly, leading to significant hair loss and skin irritation. Moreover, it poses a risk of transmission to humans and other animals in the household.
What will happen if you don't treat ringworm in a dog? - in detail
If you choose not to treat ringworm in your dog, several consequences may arise. Ringworm, despite its name, is not caused by a worm but rather by a fungus that affects the skin, hair, and nails of dogs. The condition is highly contagious and can spread rapidly if left untreated.
Firstly, the fungal infection will continue to progress, causing further damage to your dog's skin and coat. The affected areas will become increasingly itchy and irritated, leading to constant scratching and discomfort for your pet. This persistent itching can result in open wounds, which are prone to secondary bacterial infections that complicate the condition even further.
Secondly, ringworm is highly contagious. Untreated dogs can spread the infection to other pets within the household or even to humans who come into contact with them. This poses a significant risk to both the animal and human members of your family. Children, elderly people, and individuals with compromised immune systems are particularly vulnerable to contracting ringworm from an infected dog.
Thirdly, if left untreated, the fungal infection can become chronic. Chronic ringworm is more difficult to treat and requires a longer period of treatment, often involving systemic antifungal medications that come with their own set of potential side effects. This not only increases the financial burden on you but also exposes your dog to additional health risks associated with prolonged medication use.
Moreover, untreated ringworm can lead to permanent hair loss and scarring in affected areas. While the fungus itself may eventually clear up without treatment, the damage it causes to the skin and hair follicles can be long-lasting or even irreversible. This can result in patches of baldness that do not regrow, affecting your dog's appearance and potentially their quality of life.
Finally, neglecting to treat ringworm in a dog also contributes to the spread of the fungus within the community. Infected dogs that are not treated can serve as reservoirs for the fungus, making it more difficult to control and eradicate the infection in the broader population of pets and humans.
In summary, failing to treat ringworm in a dog leads to worsening symptoms, increased risk of secondary infections, potential spread to other animals and humans, possible chronicity of the condition, permanent hair loss and scarring, and contribution to community-wide fungal infection. Prompt and appropriate treatment is essential for the well-being of your pet and the safety of those around them.