Petco Text Logo
Petco Pet Logo

  • Two Easy Ways to Start Earning Rewards!

My dog has a red bald spot. Is it ringworm? Can I treat it & stop spread?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Labrador Retriever | Female | spayed | 9 years and 6 months old | 93 lbs

I noticed a couple months back after boarding Sadie that she had a very small bald patch on her "ankle". The skin showing was not red and the spot didn't seem to bother her. Fast forward to tonight when I noticed that spot is now red and looks like ringworm after I googled it. Is there anything I can get over the counter to treat it? Also I am terrified as we have another dog and 3 cats in the house too plus us, of course! Are we all going to catch it?!

2 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Image profile

Answered By Dr. Davis

Veterinarian

Published on November 21st, 2018

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.

Vote icon

1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

  • Image profile

    Answered By Kevin Sanada, DVM

    Veterinarian

    Published on February 9th, 2018

    This is suspicious of ringworm (a fungal infection of the skin). This could also be due to a yeast or bacteria infection and it's not possible to know without seeing it and doing some testing. It's best if you can take Princess to a veterinarian for an accurate diagnosis, because ringworm can spread to different parts of the body and can spread to people. Also, the more involved the infection, the longer it will take to clear. The vet will be able to definitively diagnose it and give the best treatment For now, I recommend washing your hands anytime you touch her. For more information about ringworm and how to prevent spread, please click on the links below: https://www.petcoach.co/article/ringworm-in-dogs/ https://www.cdc.gov/healthypets/diseases/ringworm.html I hope that helps and Princess gets better soon.

    Vote icon

    1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

See More Answers

Related Questions

Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
My dog has a small bald spot, i thought it was a hot spot until i just noticed that it now has a real spot on it. Im really worried
Thank you for using Boop by Petco! I can see that Jenny does have a well demarcated area of hair loss and redness. This can be indicative of a skin infection, namely ringworm, which is a fungus that can be transmitted to people. I recommend having Jenny seen by a vet as soon as possible and making sure that you wash your hands with soap and water after petting Jenny. Your vet can take a small sample of hair and skin to rule out the condition and prescribe anti fungal or antibiotic medication if necessary. I hope this helps and am happy to answer any other questions!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
My dog has a blank spot. We think it has always been there, but it seems to have gotten bigger. We wonder if it may be ringworm?
Hi there and thank you for using Boop by Petco to address your concern. Judging from the photo, it does not appear to be ringworm to me. This could be a skin parasite such as Demodex or a skin infection. I would recommend having Angel seen by a veterinarian so that the most appropriate diagnostic and treatment recommendations can be made. I hope this helps guide you in the right direction. Please let me know if you have any other questions or concerns and I would be more than happy to help you further.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
My dog has recently lost a patch of hair on her cheek. She has had treatment for skin mites that were causing her hair loss and red white bumps on her stomach. Could this be ringworm?
Hi there and thank you for using Boop by Petco to address your concern. If Penelope has had treatment for mites and the other lesions resolved but not this one, this could be a separate problem such as ringworm, different mite or a benign tumor. I would recommend having the veterinarian look at this to help determine what the cause could be. Different medication would be needed for ringworm and if it is a tumor, it is likely what we call a histiocytoma, which is common in young dogs and resolves on its own. I hope this helps! Please let me know if you have any other questions or concerns and I would be more than happy to help you further.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Training & Behavior
I have a 10 month old mixed breed dog who I’ve recently noticed has a red bald spot. I think it’s localized demodectic range but I’d love a professionals opinion. Also, what is the cheapest way to treat? I’ll spend any money that’s needed but I’m in
This could be from an insect bite or injury that he’s licked excessively. I would place him in a cone and apply a thin film of antibacterial ointment on it daily. If it doesn’t improve in about ten days then you can take him in for a skin scraping to check for mange. I don’t often see localized demodex in a dog this age. Thanks for using Boop by Petco to help you care for Ralph.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
My cat woke up with a bald spot and it's red I think it's ringworm? I'm concerned I have 2 more cats and a dog. What is it that she have?
This presentation could be due to a trauma or localized spot of skin infection (likely to be caused by bacteria). A check up, appropriate disinfection and possibly antibiotics (oral, topical or in a shampoo formulation) are needed to solve the problem. Disinfection may be started at home with very diluted hibiscrub or betadine or salted water baths. Buster collar may be useful as well to avoid any licking/scratching. Hope this answer was helpful, but please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
Is it possible for Bella bean to have ringworm? She does have small red crusty things on her chest and on her tummy and has some black itsy pigments right on her tummy. I thought Curaserb antifungal and antibacterial chlorexidine and cataconzola sha
Hello, & thank you for using Boop by Petco. Without a fungal culture, it is very difficult to definitively diagnose ringworm. There are a lot of skin issues that can look red, crusty or flaky & not all of them will be ringworm. Using a combination of antifungal & antibacterial products is a great idea. For any shampoo, make sure the lather stays on the skin for at least 10 minutes before rinsing. If there is no improvement after about 3 weeks, or the skin lesions get worse, please have your veterinarian examine them
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
Does this look like it could be ringworm and can it be treated over the counter? It’s all over her body
Thanks for using Boop by Petco! This looks like a skin infection. Although in theory possible, ringworm seems unlikely. You can try to use a medicated shampoo containing chlorhexidine twice weekly for 2 weeks. If there is no improvement or in the meantime this appears to be getting worse, have her evaluated by a veterinarian for further assessment and treatment. Good luck and have a good day!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
I think my dog may have ringworm, it just came up today. I was wondering if I needed to go see a vet for it or if there was something I could do at home to treat it? It is no bigger than the size of a dime.
If there is no hair loss or crusting/flaking of the area it is possible this is a fly bite. With fly bites we often see this type of red/purple bulls eye appearance and it will usually go away in a few days. If there is hair loss, or scabby/flaky skin in the area then a visit to the vet would be recommended.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
Is this ringworm. Noticed today while brushing her. She had been scratching recently. I washed my hands after just in case.
Hello and thank you for contacting Boop by Petco. It looks more like a hot spot or a bruise. It doesn't really look like a ringworm but it is hard to be sure without examining Penny in person. Please, take all the precautions you would if it was ringworm (use gloves or wash your hand after touching the area) and take Penny to your local vets tomorrow.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
My max has had this for a couple of months now, I am putting an antibacterial cream but I sometimes forget to apply it, the vet had seen a picture of it and he said to put an antibacterial shampoo but I don’t shower my shih Tzu often so I don’t think
Hi, thanks for using Boop by Petco! If applying antibiotic cream and bathing in an antibacterial shampoo has not helped then I would take Max to the vet so they can examine it in person. I would shave the fur away to get a better look at the skin. Also shaving the fur away allows topical creams to stick and penetrate better. If Max can reach the area to lick you should use an E-collar or T-shirt to prevent him from making it worse and not allowing it to heal. I agree with previous possible causes of either skin infection/hot spot, trauma/bruise or ring worm. Dogs do not usually die from ring worm unless they lose so much fur, are scratching themselves miserably and stop eating. That is very advanced and shouldn't occur with Veterinary care. If you want to give it more time at home, then shave the fur away, use an E-collar, clean it twice daily with mild soap and water and apply a triple antibiotic cream. If there is no improvement in 7-10 days with consistent treatment it is time to s
Updated on September 24th, 2025
image
Have A Vet Question?

Book an appointment with the pros – our expert vets are here to help.

Book Now

Sponsored