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My dog has inflamed patches after bath. Is it serious or ringworm?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Shih Tzu | Female | spayed | 13 years and 7 months old | 18.02 lbs

Hi while giving my dog a bath, I noticed these large inflamed patches. I’m wondering if it’s something serious or ringworm?

2 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Lotus Altholtz

Veterinarian, Board-Certified Lab Animal Medicine Specialist

Published on March 9th, 2019

Those look like pyoderma/bacterial skin infection erythematous (red) collarettes. The treatment is typically a 10 day course of prescription Simplicef (cefpodoxime) oral antibiotic, a medicated antibacterial/antifungal shampoo such as Malaseb (available on chewy.com or petco.com) every 2-3 days for 2 weeks and a topical prescription antibiotic/steroid ointment such as Dermavet. Your vet will likely be able to dispense all 3 after an exam if it is confirmed to a bacterial skin infection. Fungal infections are zoonotic/transmissible to humans and typically present as circular areas of complete hair loss that are often scaly. Good luck!

1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

Answered By Lotus Altholtz
Veterinarian, Board-Certified Lab Animal Medicine Specialist
Published on March 3rd, 2019
It could be a ringworm (fungal) lesion. Ringworm is unfortunately zoonotic which means that people can get it too. I recommend bringing Nixon to your vet for a ringworm fungal culture (which often takes up to 7-10 days for confirmation) and topical miconazole lotion to apply twice daily for 2-3 weeks in the meantime. Definitely avoid touching it in the meantime. Other possible causes could be a bacterial infection /collarette lesion or mange. Mange can be ruled out by starting Nixon on oral Nexgard/Simparica or Bravecto flea/tick prevention which also treats mange (mite) infections. Bacterial collarettes usually come in multiples, however. Good luck! Nixon is a gorgeous dog!
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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