Can I use Athletes foot spray on my dog? Is it unsafe to use? Does it contain anything toxic? Do vets recommend using it? Answers to all such questions coming up!
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If you notice that your dog has started itching more than usual, this excess itching can be damaging to his skin or develop bald spots. You may think that your doggo is infected by fleas or itching because of excess dry skin.
But he can also have Athlete’s foot, just like human beings. Athlete’s foot is a type of fungal infection also known as ringworm. There are many Athlete’s foot sprays available on the market. You may wonder whether to use them or not?
The answer is yes, you can use them. But consult your vet before using it on your dog. The article discusses the Athlete’s foot elaborately in canine and its treatment. So, keep on reading the article for more information.
What Is Athlete’s Foot?
An athlete’s foot is a fungal skin infection that occurs first on a dog’s feet and later spreads all over the body. Most of the Athlete’s foot cases in dogs are caused by various fungi which belong to the group dermatophytes. The most common one is ringworm.
The fungus stays in a warm moist environment like nails, skin, and hair and eats Keratin. But sometimes, athlete foot can be caused by non-dermatophytes like yeast.
Athlete’s foot is not a life-threatening disease, but your dog will lose its fur and it will itch frequently when he has an athlete’s foot.
What is Ringworm?
Most people think of ringworm as parasites like hookworm or roundworms. But no, it is a fungal skin infection that can affect not only human beings but other domesticated animals, including your dog.
You will often find a ring-like structure on the infected area of your canine. So, its name is given ringworm. It is also known as Athlete’s foot when the ring-like structure appears on the feet of your dog or the groin area.
Almost 70 % of ringworm cases found in dogs are mainly caused by Microsporum fungus. The remaining percentage of ringworm cases are caused either by Microsporum Gypseum or Trichophyton Mentagrophytes fungus.
Your dog can have ringworm when he directly contacts the fungi. It can happen when your furry friend comes in contact with any dog or person infected with ringworm. Sometimes your doggo can come in contact with any contaminated object like his food or water bowl, beddings, carpet, and have ringworm.
Ringworm is not a serious disease, but your dog will soon lose his fur or develop severe itching. Remember, ringworm is contagious. So, you can be infected by your dog.
So, it’s better to take your dog to the vet so that he will start treating your dog as soon as possible. The doctor may perform a fungal culture of your dog’s skin or take a hair sample and do a microscopic examination to diagnose ringworm.
What Causes Athletes’s Foot in Dogs?
It can happen when your furry friend comes in contact with an infected animal, including you, or any substances in the environment.
Sometimes the natural fungus present inside your dog overgrows, which results in fungal infection. The fungal infection in canines is not limited to their feet. Unfortunately, it can spread all over the body.
How Is Athlete’s Foot Treated?
The vet usually treats the ringworm in two ways, i.e., topical and oral. The doctor first prefers to prescribe ointments, lotion, or sprays because fungus-causing ringworm usually stays on the skin of your furry friend. But if the condition is severe, the doctor may prescribe oral medicines to your dog.
The vet may prescribe athlete’s foot spray to your dog or any oral medications depending on the severity of treatment.
I am describing a few ways to treat ringworm in the dog.
#1 Use Antifungal Shampoo To Wash Your Dog
The spores of the ringworm usually stay in the fur of your canine and make it fragile, and consequently, it leads to breakage.
If your dog has ringworm, then you can use antifungal shampoo meant for dogs twice a week. Remember, every shampoo has its instruction. So please read it before applying to the dog. If your vet has given any other instructions, don’t forget to follow it. Antifungal shampoo may help to reduce ringworm in your furry friend.
#2. Apply Antifungal Cream, Lotion Or Sprays
If your furry friend has small ringworm infections, then you can use an antifungal cream, lotion, or sprays on your dog. You can apply the lotion to the specific place of your dog for at least six weeks to reduce the ring patches on the skin.
You have to clean the affected area of your dog and apply a thin layer of athlete foot spray twice daily or as recommended by your vet. These sprays contain an antifungal agent that helps cure fungal infections like ringworm in your furry friend.
Antifungal creams and sprays meant for your dog are usually available over the counter. For instance, Miconazole spray can manage conditions associated with fungal infections and is readily available both offline and online. But it’s better to ask your vet about it.
#3 You Can Shave The Infected Area Of Your Dog
The spores of ringworm stay in the hair of the dog. So, it’s better to trim the hair on the infected area to reduce the spread of ringworm infection. Many vets usually suggest trimming hairs, while some don’t recommend it. So, ask your doctor whether it’s a good treatment for your dog or not, and then follow up.
#4 Wash The Bedding Frequently
The spores of ringworm can stay for almost 18 months on the skin of your dog. So there are major chances that fungi will contaminate many objects in your home. So, it’s better to clean your home frequently. If you have a vacuum cleaner in your home, then you can use it to remove the broken hair from your home.
#5 Keep Your Pet Quarantine
Ringworm is contagious. So, if your dog is diagnosed with ringworm, then it’s better to keep him away from young children, elders, and anyone who has a weak immune system. I know it’s difficult to separate your dog for six weeks or more after being diagnosed with ringworm. But try as much as you can to prevent the ringworm spread on other pets and human beings.
#6 Start The Treatment As Soon As Possible
You can start your dog’s treatment as soon as you can to reduce the spread of ringworm infection in you and other pets in your house.
Yeast Infections In Dogs
Yeast is naturally found in the skin of the dog. But sometimes, your dog can have allergies for which yeast in your dog’s skin starts developing abnormally and cause dermatitis.
If your dog suffers from yeast dermatitis, then he may have itching, redness, thick skin, or dark pigmented skin. Sometimes your dog’s skin produces excess oils, .which results in yeast infection.
Fortunately, yeast dermatitis is not contagious. So your furry friend will get a yeast infection from other dogs.
Frequently Asked Questions
#1. Can I use Athlete’s foot spray on dogs?
Yes, you can use athlete foot spray on your dogs.
There is athlete foot spray available on the market, which may or may not suit the skin of your dog. So, it’s wise to consult a vet before using any athletic foot spray on your dog.
#2. Can I use Lotrimin Spray on my dog?
Yes, you can use Lotrimin spray to treat fungal infections on your dog.
You can easily buy it over the counter but ask your vet before applying it. If your doctor says it’s fine, then apply the spray on the infected area twice a day for almost 14 days.
Moreover, your dog can lick the infected area where you apply the Lotrimin spray, and he may have vomiting or stomach upset. So vets may say to use an e-collar on your dog so that your furry friend cannot lick the infected area after applying any antifungal spray.
#3. Can I use topical antifungals on dogs?
Yes, you can use topical antifungals on dogs.
There are many antifungal shampoos and creams, and sprays available for dogs. They can be used for treating fungal infections in dogs. However, if your furry friend has a severe fungal infection, the doctor may prescribe some oral medications for your dog.
#4. Can I use Tinactin spray on dogs?
Yes, you can use Tinactin spray on dogs, but do not let them ingest it.
But if he ingests it, your dog can have vomiting or stomach upset. So it’s better to ask your vet before using.
Sometimes vets prescribe some creams or lotions that take very little time to absorb on the skin of your pet dog. Moreover, you can use an e-collar on your dog to minimize licking on the infected area.
A Few Final Words
Fungal skin infection is quite common in dogs. So you need to check your dog’s feet regularly to find any redness, irritating, scratching. These are early signs of fungal infection. So if you find such a sign in your dog, take him to the vet.
Moreover, if your dog’s feet are wet, then wipe his feet and allow them to completely dry. You can use booties when your dog moves on the extremely hot and cold ground.
Ask your vet If you think of changing your diet or giving new medications to your furry friend. These habits will help you fight fungal or yeast infections in the dog. Thank you for reading, we hope we have answered everything that you were looking for.
You might also want to read about other medicines for dogs such as Prozac and Mylanta, and how you should use these.