Fungal diseases

Fungal diseases (dermatophytoses) are infectious pathologies of animals and humans. They account for a significant part of all dermatological problems of cats and dogs. Disease-causing fungi affect the coat, skin, mucous membranes of the animal. They cause severe discomfort, without therapy penetrate deep into the dermis, create the danger of joining secondary infections.

What are fungal diseases, features and types

Cats and dogs are mainly affected by fungi of the Dermatophyte group. The most common of them are genera:

Microsporum - provoking microsporia;

Trichophyton - causative agents of trichophytosis;

Achoreon - the cause of favus (parsha).

The first two diseases are conventionally united by the unofficial name "ringworm". According to research data, Microsporum canis provokes up to 70% of skin pathologies in dogs and more than 90% in cats. Favus in mammals rarely develops. It usually affects poultry.


The pathogens remain viable in the soil for up to three months and in the hairs of the affected individual for up to 10 years. The main source of infection is a sick animal. Spores can be transmitted to healthy relatives by direct contact, or through common care items.

The parasite, getting on the body, releases specific enzymes, toxins. These substances provoke local inflammation, loosen the keratinised layer of coverings. Then the pathogen moves to the stomata of hair follicles, gradually destroying them. If you do not start treatment in time, fungi "attack" the dermis, subcutaneous fatty tissue.

Depending on the depth of penetration of pathogens veterinarians distinguish three forms of course of dermatophytosis:

superficial;

follicular (deep);

atypical (erased).

The incubation period lasts from a few days to three months, depending on the type of parasite, the immune system of the patient. More often it is 6-30 days.

Causes of the disease in dogs, cats

The pathogens usually affect young animals, as well as weakened individuals. With reduced immunity, even conditionally safe fungi (for example, yeast fungi), which are constantly present on the skin, can provoke malassezia. The disease is not contagious, it is always attached as a secondary infection.

Additional risk factors for fungal infections are:

malnutrition;

stressful conditions;

lack of motor activity;

prolonged use of corticosteroids or hormonal drugs;

concomitant chronic pathologies;

irregularity of preventive treatments;

poor care of the coat (puffs, infrequent combing, incomplete drying of the hair);

high humidity, dirt in the room where pets are kept.

Cats and dogs kept in crowded conditions are most susceptible to infection. For example, in shelters or large catteries. Increase the likelihood of infection rodents, mites, which act as carriers of pathogens.

Symptoms and diagnostic methods

Manifestations of dermatophytosis are diverse, depending on the type of parasite, the depth of its penetration into the skin.

The pet can be observed:

redness of the skin;

flaking;

itching;

scabs;

severe shedding not associated with seasonal coat changes;

wet patches;

boils;

circumscribed patches of baldness (single residual hairs may be present);

clipping of the hair shaft;

purulent or serous discharge.

Foci of fungal lesions are usually localised on the back, head, neck, gradually spreading to other parts of the body.

Cats (especially long-haired) often carry microsporia asymptomatically, being at the same time sources of infection.

In order to prescribe effective treatment, it is necessary to determine the type of pathogen. This can be done in several ways:

Wood's lamp testing - the most common, fastest method. When illuminated with this device, the skin and hair of the pet, fungi acquire a bright blue colour. The disadvantage of the technique is that it helps to identify only Microsporum. Accordingly, a negative result of the study does not guarantee that the cat is not affected by other pathogens;

microscopic examination of dermal scrapings is more informative. It allows you to see parasites, assess the quality of the hair;

sowing samples on nutrient media - the most reliable analysis. It accurately identifies the fungus, but takes up to two weeks, conducted exclusively in microbiological laboratories.

To assess the degree of immune defence of the organism, to identify any attached infections, blood and urine of the patient are examined. After receiving the results of the examination, the veterinarian selects a therapeutic course.

Treatment of the disease in pets

The approach to the treatment of each individual is individual. Sometimes, in addition to external means, it is required to take pills or injections of antifungal drugs. Often animals are pre-sheared, periodically bathed with special shampoos that destroy parasites.

In any case, ointments for localised treatment of the foci of infection will be required. A good therapeutic effect has a drug of the company Apicenna Fungin Forte. It is available in the form of a solution for external use. The active components of the remedy destroy the cells of the fungus, stop its reproductive ability. The medicine quickly relieves pain, inflammation, swelling, promotes accelerated healing of scabs.

Depending on the general condition of the cat, the doctor may additionally recommend taking immunostimulants, hepatoprotectors, immunomodulators.

A sick individual should be isolated from other pets and people immediately after the diagnosis is confirmed. During therapy and the next month after full recovery it is necessary to regularly treat the "quarantine" room, care items with disinfectants. This will help to get rid of fungal spores, prevent relapses of pathology.

Fungal diseases among cats and dogs are widespread. Fortunately, with a timely visit to the clinic, they quite successfully succumb to the effects of medications. You can prevent infections by providing your pet with a nutritious diet, proper care, and following the schedule of ectoparasite treatments.