07/28/2026
🦠 Ringworm isn’t actually a worm—it’s a fungus! 🐶🍄
Ever wonder how we test for ringworm? Here’s a look at one of the tools we use: a Fungassay fungal culture.
To perform the test, we collect a small sample of the patient’s hair from the affected area and place it into the culture jar containing a special yellow gel. The culture is then monitored over the next two weeks for fungal growth.
If ringworm is present, the dermatophyte fungi begin to grow, forming the white, fuzzy colonies you see. As the fungus grows, the gel also changes color, helping us identify a positive result.
Most cultures take time to develop, so we allow up to 14 days before confirming a result. This patient’s sample, however, was strongly positive in just 4 days—the fungal growth took off much faster than expected!
If your pet has hair loss, circular patches of missing fur, flaky skin, or crusty lesions, it’s important to have them examined. Ringworm is contagious and zoonotic, meaning it can spread between animals and people, so early diagnosis and treatment are key.
Have questions about ringworm or your pet’s skin? Give us a call—we’re always happy to help! 🐾
