Ringworm in Sheep

Ringworm in Sheep

This disease is a skin infection caused by the fungus Trichophyton verrucosum.

·         Ringworm is characterised by 1 – 10cm² areas of hair loss, covered by dry wart-like crusts on the ears, face and wool-less parts of the neck.

·         Affected animals do not excessively rub or scrape at lesions. Where the disease has been seen in shearling animals, it has been characterised by raised 4 – 6cm scabs over the wool-covered parts of the body. When the matted wool covering the lesions is removed, the skin beneath is inflamed and bleeds profusely.

·         Ringworm is zoonotic.

·         Topical ringworm treatments may reduce the duration of lesions on the face, but appear to be ineffective on body lesions that are covered by wool.

·         Isolation of infected animals and disinfection of feeding troughs or shearing equipment should be undertaken.