Rescued Puppy With Ringworm Getting Worse

Thank you for rescuing him. Ringworm in puppies can take weeks to improve, but getting worse after 3 weeks means he should be rechecked. The diagnosis should be confirmed, and other problems such as mange are common in strays.

At the recheck, ask whether he should switch to whole-body lime sulfur rinses or a miconazole-chlorhexidine shampoo twice a week, and whether an oral antifungal such as itraconazole or terbinafine would suit him better than griseofulvin, which tends to cause more side effects. Povidone-iodine (Betadine) scrub isn't one of the treatments specialist guidelines recommend for ringworm. Don't stop his current medicine without talking to the vet. If cost is a worry, ask your vet about a payment plan, or look for a low-cost clinic, humane society clinic or veterinary school near you.

See ringworm in dogs.

This is general information, not a diagnosis. Please follow your own vet's advice.