My dog has a small red spot. Is it ringworm or can I treat it at home?

It’s uncommon for older dogs to get ringworm, and when they do it’s generally on the face. This area may have started to itch and she got it red and irritated from licking. I would clean the area with a medicated shampoo that kills both bacteria and yeast. Then apply a thin film of antibacterial ointment on it. In addition use a cone if she’s licking the area. If you wash your hands well after touching her you shouldn’t get anything. If it’s not healing or there are other areas then please take her in for an exam and skin tests to determine if it’s ringworm or infection. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to help you care for your dog.

There is no way to diagnose this via a photo, I am afraid. Only a hands-on exam in combination with a brush sample or a swab can help identify whether this is a fungal or bacterial lesion or a sting or bite. I would observe it over the weekend, and should it increase in size, start to ooze or change in appearance other than fade, you should have a veterinarian examine this lesion. there is no one treatment for all these causes. Do not put any ointment on it , just observe it.

It is possible this is an insect bite. Fly bites in particular can look like a red ring with a central pallor (pale area in the middle). It is tough to tell from the photo what the central area looks like. If it is raised and looks like it is filled with yellow/pus, then this could be a pustule which is a sign of skin infection. If the center is flat with the skin and just pale in color, then a bug bite is more likely.

It could be ringworm but it could also be some other fungal or bacterial infection, you need to take him to the vet in order to have it checked and diagnose, if it is ringworm he will need an anti fungal treatment for 3 weeks.

Ring worm is a possibility and is contagious to both people and other animals. There is no way to be certain from the photos. Your vet can check it with a woods lamp to see if it reacts or do a culture to confirm it. It may be a reaction from a tick or allergy that is also causing those spots You can try to keep the spot clean and apply a topical antifubgal until you get the seen to be safe

From the pictures, it doesn't look like a typical ringworm lesion but I can't rule it out without seeing August in person. It could be a skin infection or from an injury. It should be checked out by a vet, but it's not an emergency. If you can get her into a vet this weekend great, but it's fine to wait until Monday. I'd leave the spot alone for now and don't put anything on it since you do not know what is causing it. I hope this helps!

There could be several causes for this hairless area. Toothless could have picked up a skin might or an allergy. Sometimes pets can develop what’s called an acral lick and it can also look like this. Ringworm, which humans can get, or a bacterial infection all also look like this. At home you may continue to put ointment on it and prevent him from licking the area by having him wear an Elizabethan collar at all times. If it is not improving within one week, have him examined by the veterinarian. I hope this helps and please feel free to post any additional questions.