– infectious diseases keratinized tissues (skin, hair, nails) caused by fungi of the Microsporum, Trichophyton or Epidermophyton species.
The most common cause of disease in cats is Microsporum canis. In dogs, the disease is most often caused by Microsporum canis and Microsporum gypseum. Other, less common causes of dermatophytoses include Trichophyton mentagrophytes, Microsporum persicolor, Microsporum erinacei, Microsporum verrucosum.
Dermatophytes can be isolated from the skin and hair of cats (especially those kept in nurseries and shelters that attend exhibitions) without visible lesions (more often in Persian kittens). In places where animals gather in large numbers, a serious problem is the spread of fungal spores that remain viable for 18 months (according to some sources up to 52 months) in the environment.
There is a breed predisposition to the occurrence of dermatophytosis. For example, Jack Russell terriers are more often affected by Trichophyton mentagrophytes and Trichophyton erinacei, German shorthaired pointers M.gypseum, Yorkshire terriers and Pekingese M.canis. Long-haired Persian and Himalayan cats are more often diagnosed with asymptomatic carrier M. canis.
After infection with dermatophytes immunocompetent cells The animal uses cellular and humoral immunity systems, which ultimately free the body from infection. The inflammatory response leads to an increase in epidermal proliferation, which, in turn, leads to the cleansing of the epidermis from dermatophytes (in the process of desquamation of horn cells). Immune status does not guarantee absolute resistance, although a more rapid onset is observed with subsequent infections. clinical manifestations and a trend toward shorter disease duration.
During experimental infection, the lesion covers a maximum area after 5 weeks.
CLINICAL PICTURE IN SMALL DOMESTIC ANIMALS
Clinical symptoms of dermatophytosis caused by Microsporum canis in cats can range from asymptomatic carriage to skin lesions with eschar formation. The typical manifestation of the disease is single or multiple, rapidly spreading, ring-shaped lesions of round or irregular shape, accompanied by erythema, scaling and alopecia with a diameter of about 3 cm, most often found on the head and extremities. Itching and inflammation with localized lesions may occur but are usually minimal. Other manifestations of dermatophytoses caused by Microsporum canis include focal or generalized alopecia, papulocrustic dermatitis, localized subcutaneous granuloma, onychomycosis, and paronychia. In dogs, Microsporum canis in a generalized form causes a stronger inflammatory response than similar lesions in cats.
Dermatophytosis caused by Microsporum persicolor is rare. Fungal hyphae infect the stratum corneum of the skin without affecting the hair. Clinically characterized by superficial minimal alopecia and inflammation, most often occurring on the scalp.
Dermatophytoses caused by Trichophyton mentagrophytes and Microsporum gypseum cause a pronounced inflammatory response. Generalized skin disease is not uncommon. Lesions on the face can be surprisingly symmetrical and may be accompanied by alopecia, erythema, crusting and furunculosis. Itching can be expressed to varying degrees.
Generalized damage can affect entire parts of the body (for example, with chronic course disease caused by M.gypseum or M.mentagrophytes). Diffuse scaly alopecia, according to some authors, occurs more often in Persian and Himalayan cats.
Pseudomycetoma, more often recorded in cats of Persian breeds and Yorkshire Terriers, is characterized by the appearance in the dermis or subcutaneous tissue of a node formed as a result of the growth of dermatophytes in the tissues. Probably, spores enter the tissue from the infected hair through destroyed hair follicles. In most cases heat body inhibits the growth of fungal hyphae, and the corresponding immunocompetent cells remove them from the tissues, as foreign body(usually a boil forms and breaks open onto the surface of the skin). In some cats, granulomatous nodular reaction is accompanied by the growth of dermatophytes in the center of the lesion. Clinically, pseudomycetoma can be represented by single or multiple nodes, which rarely form fistulas and often recur after surgical excision.
DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS
Cats
A) Local lesion
1. Abscess at the site of a cat bite
2. Cheyletiellosis
3. Demodicosis
1. Hypersensitivity to flea bites
2. Psychogenic alopecia
Dogs
A) Local lesion
1. Superficial pyoderma
2.
3. Violation of keratinization.
4. Alopecia at the site of drug administration.
B) Regional/Generalized lesion
1. Demodicosis
2. Superficial pyoderma
3. Deep fungal infection
DIAGNOSTIC TESTS
A careful clinical examination and possibly the presence of a zoonotic or anthropozoonotic lesion may hint at the presence of a dermatophyte infection, but treatment should never be initiated without a definitive diagnosis.
Microscopic examination of a KOH preparation can help detect spores around the hair shaft, but this method produces many false negative results.
Examining a cat in a darkened room using a Wood's lamp (which must be warmed up before testing) may reveal a green glow (fluorescence) in some cases of dermatophytosis caused by Microsporum canis.
Culture of suspicious material on DTM agar or Sabouraud agar is the only way to obtain a definitive diagnosis.
1. Wood's lamp examination.
The characteristic apple-green glow can be caused by M.canis (less than 50% of strains), M.distortum, M.ferrugineum and the anthropophilic M.audouinii, as well as bacteria ( Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Corynebacterium minutissimum), horny scales, soap and applied topically medications. When carrying out the procedure, you need to remember that the fungal hyphae are located along the hair shaft.
Fluorescence can only be observed when the invasion intensity is sufficient. Cases of infection of cats with the same strain of fungi have been recorded, when pronounced Clinical signs and a bright specific glow during luminescent diagnostics, while others were asymptomatic carriers of the infection, and the study gave a negative result.
2. Mackenzie method.
It is based on combing the wool with a sterile toothbrush or comb, followed by sowing nutrient medium. This method is recommended for examining animals in large colonies in order to identify asymptomatic carriers of infection.
3. Examination using a microscope.
Before collecting material for microscopic examination and culture is isolated, the skin area is treated with 70% alcohol to reduce bacterial contamination. Damaged broken hair is used for research. Scrapings are carried out within the alopecia area, from crusts and papules.
Before performing microscopy, it is recommended to keep the material treated with 10-20% KOH at room temperature for several minutes or warm it up slightly to accelerate the dissolution of free keratin and debris. The hyphae of the fungi swell and, even with a cursory examination, you will be able to notice thickened areas with uneven contours on the hair shaft. The spores form a “sheath” around the hair and give it a vague outline. The likelihood of detecting infected hair is quite low, so this study does not make it possible to completely exclude the presence of infection.
4. Fungal culture
Sabouraud dextrose agar is used as a culture medium.
To conduct this study, there is a very convenient and informative test “Dermatophyte Test Medium” or DTM agar, which contains Sabouraud agar, cycloheximide (inhibiting the development of saprophytic and systemic fungi), gentamicin and chlortetracycline (to minimize contamination with bacterial flora) and a pH indicator. phenol red medium. Dermatophytes primarily prefer to absorb proteins and, as a result, form alkaline foods exchanges that change the color of the environment to red. They produce these metabolites as the colony grows, and a change in color of the medium occurs 2-7 days after sowing (sometimes this process takes 14 days). Saprophytic fungi prefer to metabolize carbohydrates, producing neutral and acidic metabolites that do not change the color of the medium. When the supply of carbohydrates is depleted, they can utilize proteins and as a result cause the color of the medium to change to red. The result of the study can be correctly interpreted only if the growing colonies are examined daily (or every other day).
5. Flag methodRoth´a.
It is carried out to make a final diagnosis and identify the pathogen. Based on the detection of macro- and microconidia in prints from grown colonies.
6. Histopathological examination.
Fungal hyphae can be found in the stratum corneum, hair follicles and around the hair shaft. The number of fungal elements detected is usually inversely proportional to severity inflammatory reaction. About 80% of patients with dermatophytosis have a positive skin biopsy.
THERAPY
It must be remembered that with an effective immune response, spontaneous self-healing is possible! Despite this, treatment is necessary to avoid infection of humans and other animals.
LOCAL TREATMENTS
For animals, local treatment is less important than for people. Animals are covered with hair, which reduces the effectiveness of procedures. The area of application of the drug should be much wider than the location of the visible lesion, and affect healthy tissue, because mushrooms can be cultivated from areas of fur and skin located at a distance of 6 cm from the lesion.
Local therapy should be considered as an auxiliary treatment method. The drugs used to treat animals are: 2% lime sulfur solution, povidine iodide, 0.2% enilconazole solution, 2% miconazole in cream and spray form, clotrimazole and terbinafine creams, ketoconazole shampoo, etc. P. According to some practicing dermatologists, chlorhexidine is ineffective for cleansing the skin of dermatophytes and treating the external environment. Others recommend using shampoos and rinses containing chlorhexidine at a concentration of 2-4%.
In case of extensive lesions, it is considered more effective to wash the animals after preliminary cutting and destruction of the hair (this procedure is mandatory in long-haired cats and in all cases of generalized dermatophytosis). This procedure can significantly reduce contamination of the external environment with dermatophyte spores. Animals with minimal, limited demarcation barrier lesions do not require clipping.
SYSTEMIC ANTIFUNGAL DRUGS
Griseofulvin (Gricin. Biogrisin. Fulcin)
Griseofulvin was first isolated in 1939 and used for fungal diseases of plants. IN medical practice was introduced in 1958 and was historically the first specific antimycotic for the treatment of dermatomycosis in humans. Griseofulvin is a fungistatic antibiotic. When exposed to it, actively metabolizing young fungal cells can be killed without compromising the integrity of the cell wall, and in more mature cellular elements the drug only causes inhibition of reproduction. The drug is very poorly soluble in water and its absorption in the gastrointestinal tract is variable and incomplete. Absorption can be improved by administering the drug together with fatty foods. The drug accumulates in the stratum corneum of the skin, its highest concentration is found in the superficial layers.
In dogs, side effects when using the drug are vomiting, diarrhea, and a reversible increase in liver enzymes. Cats may experience anemia, leukopenia, vomiting, diarrhea, depression, itchy skin, sometimes ataxia. Cases of dysfunction have been described bone marrow. In cats with immunodeficiency virus, griseofulvin can lead to quite significant secondary neutropenia. Changes in bone marrow function occur due to individual intolerance to the drug and are not associated with the dosage regimen. Griseofulvin is a potential teratogen and should not be used to treat pregnant animals. In dogs and cats, the recommended dose can vary within a fairly wide range from 20 to 150 mg/kg per day, divided into 2 doses.
Given the possibility of potential idiosyncrasy, it is recommended to conduct blood tests (with mandatory platelet count) before starting treatment and after 7-10 days of therapy. If signs of bone marrow suppression are observed, treatment should be discontinued and appropriate supportive therapy should be instituted, which may include blood transfusions (for very low platelet counts) and antibiotic therapy (for high white blood cell counts).
Prescribing to an animal this drug, you should be very careful and be sure to inform the owner about the external signs of anemia.
Azoles for systemic use (ketoconazole, itraconazole, fluconazole) are well absorbed when taken orally. The bioavailability of ketoconazole and itraconazole may vary significantly depending on the level of gastric acidity and food intake. The antifungal effect of azoles is due to disruption of the integrity of the fungal cell membrane and disruption of the synthesis of ergosterol, the main structural component fungal cell membrane.
Ketoconazole
Ketoconazole is a synthetic broad-spectrum antifungal drug belonging to the imidazole group. It is a potent inhibitor of ergosterol synthesis. Ketoconazole is considered a fungistatic, but under anaerobic conditions and high enough concentrations it can have fungicidal properties. For optimal absorption it is necessary acidic environment. Used at a dosage of 5-10 mg/kg every 12 hours or 10-20 mg/kg once a day with food.
When using the drug in dogs, the most common side effects are: lack of appetite, itching, alopecia and reversible lightening of the coat.
Cats are more sensitive to the drug and may exhibit anorexia, fever, depression and diarrhea. Asymptomatic hepatitis with a reversible increase in liver enzyme levels may occur.
More serious violations liver function is caused by an individual hypersensitivity reaction and occurs in 1 in 10,000 cats. Dogs have similar side effects are even less common.
Ketoconazole has a teratogenic and embryotoxic effect.
Itraconazole (Irunin, Orungal)
Itraconazole has been successfully used to treat dermatophytoses in cats and dogs. Dosage 10 mg/kg 1 time per day. After 7 days of daily use, you can switch to the so-called pulse therapy (taken every other day or every other week) while maintaining the high effectiveness of treatment. Itraconazole is much better tolerated than ketoconazole and unwanted side effects with its use occur much less frequently.
Fluconazole (Diflucan, Flucostat)
All systemic azoles, except fluconazole, are metabolized in the liver and excreted primarily through the gastrointestinal tract. Fluconazole is different from others antifungal agents because it is excreted through the kidneys (mainly unchanged - 80–90%) and can be used in animals with liver disease at a dose of 10–20 mg/kg every 12 hours.
Terbinafine (Exifin, Lamisil)
A human antifungal drug that can be used in small pets. Belongs to the group of allylamines. It has a predominantly fungicidal effect. Unlike azoles, it blocks earlier stages of ergosterol synthesis. Possesses wide range activity, however clinical significance has only an effect on pathogens of dermatomycosis. Terbinafine is used in a dosage of 20-30 mg/kg daily once a day, and then pulse therapy (every other day). The experiment did not reveal any fetotoxicity or effect of the drug on the reproductive function of animals. Very effective in the treatment of onychomycosis.
Inactivated M.canis vaccines are not sufficiently effective and should be used as part of therapy concurrently with a systemic antifungal drug.
Treatment should be continued for 4-6 weeks and should not be stopped until a negative culture result is obtained. This is very important, since the culture result can be positive after big time after visible clinical recovery.
Treatment is usually continued until clinical remission, which often occurs after 4 to 6 weeks of therapy. In the case of onychomycosis, its duration can reach 6-12 months, and with severe damage surgical removal claws may be the only effective way. Then a study is carried out using the Mackenzie method (seeding the material after combing with a sterile toothbrush). If the culture result is negative, another culture is performed 4 weeks after discontinuation of systemic antifungal therapy. Its necessity is dictated by the possibility of a false negative result during the first study (due to the high persistence of the drug in the hair and scales taken for analysis). Only with a repeated negative result is the animal considered clinically healthy.
Unfortunately, in practice, many owners refuse re-diagnosis and decide to end treatment based on clinical examination and Wood's lamp examination in cases of infection with fluorescent strains.
ENVIRONMENTAL TREATMENT
Areas (rooms) in the house where the animal is located should be vacuumed daily to remove contaminated hair and spores. Cells and other surfaces that are resistant to chlorine should be treated daily with household bleach 1:10 with water. Where possible, a solution of formaldehyde (10%), sodium hypochlorite, iodine or steam is used. Abroad, enilconazole spray is used to treat the external environment.
PREVENTION OF DERMATOPHYTOSIS IN NURSERY AND ANIMAL SHELTERS
The occurrence of infection in places where animals gather is extremely serious problem. Although we have taken all possible preventative measures, we cannot guarantee their success. The reasons are the high resistance of spores in the external environment, a large number of false negative results during diagnosis, low efficiency of room treatments, errors in choosing drugs for the treatment of dermatophytoses, insufficient duration of therapy.
Program for the elimination of dermatophyte infections in nurseries and animal shelters.
1. Detection of infection (clinical examination, Wood's lamp examination, Mackenzie method, culture)
2. Stop all reproduction programs.
3. Treat all livestock with a systemic antimycotic. Animals with a negative culture result are given therapeutic doses of the drug to prevent the spread of infection.
4. Divide by three separate groups animals a) infected, b) in contact with sick people, c) nursing cats with their offspring.
5. Carry out thorough repeated disinfection of premises
6. After 14 days, re-examine the animals with negative reaction at the first sowing.
7. Culling or treating animals with positive result sowing
8. Strict quarantine of newly received animals before their placement in the nursery.
Another option for getting rid of the infection is to completely disband the livestock, carry out thorough repeated disinfection and start working again with a “clean cat”.
It is necessary to take into account the existence in some animals of a genetic predisposition to the transition of the disease to a chronic asymptomatic course.
KEY POINTS
- The clinical presentation of dermatophytoses is very variable and it is impossible to exclude or confirm the presence of infection on the basis of physical examination alone
- Do not forget about the high probability of misdiagnosis
- Be aware of the possibility of zoonosis
- Duration of treatment should be based on fungal culture results
- Good contact with the owner is very important
Summary
Levyatova N.I. veterinarian dermatologist. Veterinary clinic “Centre”, Moscow. Dermatophytoses of cats and dogs.
In this report described etiology, diagnostic, clinical findings and methods of treatment of dermatophytoses of cats and dogs. Also, described products for the systematic treatment of superficial mycoses and it’s side effects.
Skin is an important and largest organ in a dog, the main function of which is as a barrier. Violation of the integrity of the skin causes Negative consequences for your pet, so you need to monitor its condition very carefully and take timely measures. One common problem is fungus.
What is a fungus?
Fungus in dogs, or dermatophyses, is a common reason for visiting veterinary clinics. This disease can develop in a dog at any age and under any living conditions, even the best. It is almost impossible to protect your pet from the appearance of fungus, but it can be cured. Today there are many modern drugs that allow you to successfully fight the disease. The main thing is to recognize the problem in time and seek help.
There are many varieties of fungus, but only some of them are dangerous for your pet.
How does fungus appear?
Fungus in dogs can appear during interaction with individuals already suffering from this disease. After walking on contaminated grass, there is also a high chance of infection. However, the fungus can be brought from the street by the owner himself on his shoes. These microorganisms are quite dangerous. Some of them can harm not only animals, but also humans.
Another case is the dog’s low immunity or high sensitivity to disease. It is always present on the skin of dogs and does not cause any diseases. Under certain conditions, the number of bacteria begins to increase, resulting in Malassezia.
Puppies, young dogs, weak animals after illness, animals prone to allergies and with immune pathologies are susceptible to the fungus.
Dermatophysis is a common occurrence in dogs with mats and hairballs. The skin does not breathe well under them, as a result of which its protective function. Also, if you wash your dog excessively with cleansing shampoos, the skin loses its functions, and fungus can again develop in dogs. Therefore, you should not bathe your pet often, even if you think that the fur already looks dirty.
The rate of fungal reproduction is very high, so if you have the slightest suspicion of its presence, you must immediately go to the clinic.
Where does fungus occur in dogs?
As a rule, the onset of the disease has a certain pattern. At first, the fungus appears on the dog’s paws and ears.
Sometimes it appears only on the interdigital area, on the skin around the claws and on the pads of the paws. The skin becomes rough, inflamed and cracks, crusts or scales appear, the claws turn yellow and begin to bend.
Fungus on dogs' paws most often occurs in autumn and spring periods. The pet begins to limp and chew on the affected areas. A fungus may also appear in a dog's ear, inner surface without hair. Because in these places hairline scant, it is easiest to notice the disease there. Ear fungus in dogs is dangerous because when severe itching the pet will actively scratch the area and may damage the ear.
Symptoms of the disease
Like any disease, fungus in dogs has its own symptoms. The primary symptom by which the presence of infection can be determined is itching. Recognizing this moment will not be difficult, since any owner will immediately notice when his pet begins to itch frequently. In places where itching occurs, skin peeling occurs.
Infections with trichophytosis are also possible, causing rounded bald patches to form on the dog’s skin. May appear purulent discharge, resulting in the formation of crusts. This fungus attacks hair follicles. In the future, they may not fully recover, and the stains will remain forever.
Dogs are susceptible to infection with a fungus called favus. The areas of the body affected by it emit an unpleasant odor. Round spots with gray-yellow crusts appear on the skin. After getting rid of the infection, the hair there may also not recover.
Vaccination against fungus is ineffective, and sometimes it worsens the situation. It is impossible to protect your pet from infection, however, if you notice the disease in time, you can contact a veterinarian and destroy the infection.
If you have absolutely no opportunity to visit a veterinarian, then you can do antifungal ointment with your own hands. This requires natural birch tar, and acetyl salicylic acid. Take 25 g of ointment, 2 acid tablets and 1 tsp. tar. Then mix everything well. This medicine is considered an analogue but will cost several times less.
A dog is a man’s friend, and if you decide to take responsibility for keeping an animal, then you need to understand that any pet needs proper care, nutrition, attention and treatment. After all, every animal is susceptible to various diseases for one reason or another. By regularly visiting a doctor, you can identify ailments even earlier. early stage their development. Conduct a home inspection of your dog daily, as there are many infections that your pet can contract outdoors.
Shampoo "Doctor" is a hygiene product for pets. Used to care for the coat and epidermis, helps fight dermatitis, rashes, and other skin problems and prevents their occurrence. Helps relieve irritation and get rid of redness. Before using it, carefully study the indications and contraindications for use and read the instructions.
The zoohygienic product is a whitish astringent liquid with a pleasant aroma. Previously it was packaged in 100 ml bottles, but recently more economical forms of release have appeared - 200-250 ml bottles. All packages are equipped with flip-top caps, which makes it easy to squeeze out shampoo in the right amount.
The manufacturer produces three types of shampoo:
- the usual "Doctor";
- with birch tar;
- with climbazole.
The products differ in composition and action.
Regular "Doctor"
The main component of the hygiene product is benzoyl peroxide or benzoyl peroxide. When hitting skin the substance breaks down into hydrogen peroxide and benzoic acid. Speaking good antiseptic, has the following effect:
- destroys bacteria;
- negatively affects fungi and viruses, in particular staphylococci;
- neutralizes fatty acids;
- normalizes lipid production.
Excipients are:
- purified softened water;
- sodium lauryl sulfate;
- sodium chloride;
- propylene glycol;
- diethalonamide fatty acids coconut oil;
- cocamidopropyl betaine;
- preservative
They moisturize the skin or enhance the effect of the main component, but it is recommended to use shampoo if there are skin problems, such as irritation, or occasionally to prevent their occurrence. At frequent use it will dry out the skin, leading to severe flaking.
With birch tar
The main chemical composition of the excipients in the shampoo is practically no different from the usual “Doctor”, but its main component is birch tar. It has the following effect:
- improves blood circulation;
- stimulates regeneration processes;
- moderately affects receptors of nerve endings.
Due to the presence of glycerin, the product moisturizes the animal’s skin well and can be regularly used for hygiene procedures.
With climbazole
Features an innovative formula. It is based on two components that have a strong antifungal effect:
- Climbazole is a fungicide whose action is directed against fungi, including the Candida type. The substance suppresses their development and reproduction, thereby ensuring the correct biocenosis of the skin.
- Willow bark extract is a plant component that has anti-inflammatory, antifungal, and antiseptic effects. Contains salicylic acid, which stimulates work sebaceous glands, thereby reducing excessive sebum production.
Purpose and action
Shampoo "Doctor" is intended for hygiene care for animals with problem skin. Can be used in medicinal or for preventive purposes the appearance of skin diseases - dermatitis, acne, rashes.
The skin acts as a protective barrier for the body, but under the influence of certain factors, for example, a weakened immune system, it may not cope with its functions. In this case, redness appears, inflammatory processes, allergic reactions. The shampoo helps maintain skin biocenosis and provides protection against fungal and other infections.
Even washes out perfectly long wool animal and removes damaged or exfoliated epithelial cells, accelerates regeneration processes.
Indications for use
Regular “Doctor” has a drying effect and promotes exfoliation of the epithelium, therefore it is suitable only for medicinal purposes. Cannot be used continuously as a hygiene product. Shampoo containing birch tar has a different effect on the skin (moisturizes it) and can be used for daily or regular use over a long period.
Doctor shampoo is easy to use. You need to follow simple steps:
- Apply a small amount of liquid to the animal's damp fur. The amount of hygiene product directly depends on the size of the pet.
- Lather and then rinse immediately with clean water.
- Reapply and leave on for 5-7 minutes.
- After this, rinse well.
It should be used daily or at intervals of 1-3 days, depending on the composition and functioning of the sebaceous glands, the animal’s lifestyle (consider how quickly the dog’s fur becomes dirty, how much time it spends outside, and so on).
Side effects and contraindications
Absolutely safe for dogs. This is confirmed by reviews from pet owners. It can be used for animals of any age, weight, breed. The only contraindication for use is individual intolerance to the components.
Serious side effects were not detected during use. In some cases, with prolonged use, the following may occur:
- whitening effect (does not harm the pet’s health);
- increased peeling - it is recommended to stop using. Peeling usually goes away on its own and does not require treatment.
Avoid contact with eyes, as the components irritate the mucous membranes. If this happens, it is necessary to immediately rinse with plenty of running water.
Price
Look current price shampoo and you can now buy it right here:
The reasonable cost of Doctor shampoo for dogs is one of its main advantages. The price depends on the volume and composition:
- a regular shampoo bottle with a volume of 100 ml costs 150-170 rubles, 200-250 ml – 250-260 rubles;
- product with birch tar 100 ml can be bought for 180-190 rubles, 200-250 ml - 260-280 rubles;
- Shampoo with climbazole 100 ml will cost 200-230 rubles, 200-250 ml - 270-300 rubles.
Dogs suffer from mycosis even under good living conditions and have a hard time suffering from the disease if it is advanced. Puppies and individuals with weakened immune systems are most susceptible to mycosis. The risk of developing pathology also increases in the case of the use of potent drugs that the animal takes for therapeutic purposes.
If the fungus progresses, the pet becomes dangerous to others and requires isolation for the duration of treatment. In hopeless situations, the dog dies.
Why do dogs get fungus?
Uncontrolled proliferation of fungi already affects the condition of the animal in the most unfavorable way. Opportunistic fungi also live on the surface of the dog’s skin and do not pose a threat to the pet’s health until its body weakens due to some disease.
The mechanism of development can be described as follows: the infection penetrates the epidermis and damages hair follicles. Skin tissue loses its protective properties and becomes vulnerable to the effects of simple microorganisms. A sick dog infects its fellow dogs and people because mycelium threads fall from its fur.
A healthy dog becomes infected with a fungus from a carrier dog who previously walked in the same place where the pet often visits. Sometimes an animal becomes infected from the owner, who brings mycosis pathogens into the house on shoes or clothes. But still, the main cause of fungus for dogs is genetic predisposition to the effects of opportunistic flora.
Factors that contribute to the development of fungus in dogs:
The fungi that cause it persist in the soil for up to 3 months. Therefore, an animal can become infected while walking in damp or hot weather. Mycelial spores persist in the affected hairs and skin flakes for several years. When hair falls out and skin particles die, they become a source of infection.
How does fungus manifest in dogs?
Typical symptoms of fungus in dogs are:
With sufficient care of the pet, the owner will immediately notice a bald spot on the fur or even several spots of unequal sizes. The size of the lesions depends on the degree of skin damage. The number of bald spots is influenced by the type of pathogen, the strength of the immune system and the conditions under which the dog is kept.
Bald patches primarily form on the paws, nose, head, neck and behind the ears. The hair either falls out completely or breaks off at the base of the hairs and creates a stubble effect. The epidermis becomes gray or reddish in color. A grayish coating and flaking particles of the dermis are visible at the roots of the hair. Extensive bald spots on the sides and back and complete alopecia indicate advanced dermatomycosis.
Itching as a sign of a fungal infection in dogs varies in intensity. Unbearable discomfort forces the dog to scratch his skin until it bleeds. If a dog itches, this does not always indicate the development of mycosis. Perhaps she suffers from dermatitis or the animal is simply bothered by fleas.
The owner should treat the scratched skin with an antiseptic and inspect the interdigital areas, the lower part of the paws and the periungual area. In some cases, the fungus is localized in these places and goes unnoticed. The dermis affected by the fungus becomes denser and rougher, becomes inflamed and cracks. The claws become deformed and acquire an abnormal shade. If the pathogen is localized on the paws, the dog will experience pain when walking and tighten the affected limb.
Soft shoes will help protect the animal from deteriorating well-being at this stage - the dog will be more comfortable moving around in them. If your family pet has been on a walk, he needs to wash and dry his paws thoroughly. You should also not allow your dog to chew or scratch the affected areas.
Dog fur ringworm may remain normal. However, from time to time the hairs will fall off, fade and become tangled. After water procedures the fur quickly becomes dirty. At first, the owner attributes these changes to molting, a new bath that may not be suitable, or a change in food. But canceling new products does not solve the problem - the fungus continues to develop and spoil the hair.
So that you can promptly recognize a fungus in your dog, we suggest looking at the photo and remembering pathological changes skin.
Animals suffer not only from dermatomycosis, but also from favus, trichophytosis, microsporia, and fungal otitis. If the pathogen passes from the skin to the follicles, the dog develops chronic form diseases.
Diagnostic measures
At the first suspicion of ringworm, your pet should be taken to a veterinarian. The fungus multiplies very quickly, undermining the dog’s immunity and making it susceptible to viruses and bacteria. Based on the description of the general picture, it is difficult for a specialist to draw a conclusion about the pathogenicity of the fungus, so your four-legged friend must undergo a diagnostic examination.
First, the doctor illuminates the fur with a special lamp, the radiation of which helps to identify the pathogen by its emerald color. But 40% of strains do not glow. In addition, one study with a Wood's lamp does not allow one to determine the type of mycelium. In this case, the veterinarian will not answer the question of how to treat a fungus on a dog’s skin, since there is not enough confidence in the presence of a pathogenic agent to prescribe.
A complete analysis helps determine the type of pathogen, its quantity, growth rate and sensitivity to fungicides.
Besides deep research scraping, the owner must help the dog pass the following tests:
- Blood for bacteriology - determines the sensitivity of the dog’s body to bacteria and secondary infections. Eliminating the underlying problem contributes to the successful cure of mycosis.
- Blood for allergic status - if inflammatory changes in the skin are associated with allergies, the fungus will appear 2 weeks after completion of allergy therapy. If the allergen is not eliminated, the lichen will recur constantly.
- A detailed analysis of blood and urine shows general state the health of the pet and disturbances in the functioning of organs and systems, if any.
Based on the test results, the specialist will correctly select antifungal drugs that will not only weaken the pathogen, but also completely destroy it.
Treatment of puppies and adult dogs for fungus
Vaccination with Vakderm and Microderm is considered an effective option for treating fungus in dogs. External treatment affected areas are treated with antifungal ointments:
- Juglone.
- Zoomikol.
- Mycoseptin.
- Fungin.
- Clotrimazole.
- Dermatol.
- Miconazole.
- Thiabendazole.
- Griseofulvin.
How to use anti-fungal ointment to treat a dog correctly?
First, the owner chooses a convenient place that can be disinfected after the procedure. Then he carefully trims the fur around the affected area using scissors with rounded blunt ends. At the next stage, the prepared area should be washed with warm soapy water and the crusts on the body should be softened, after which the skins should be carefully removed from the dermis.
The ointment is rubbed onto the problem area and adjacent tissues, on which the hair is previously cut off. To prevent the animal from licking the medicine, the treated area is covered with a bandage and an Elizabethan collar is put on.
If suitable medicine not in the house, the dog is treated with iodine or brilliant green - the liquids disinfect and dry the skin. But you should not overuse iodine, since it worsens the condition of the skin if used uncontrolled.
The session ends with disinfection of the surface where therapeutic manipulations were performed. The cut fur and crusts are burned or disposed of in another way. Hands are washed, disinfected and lubricated with a fungicidal agent.
If your dog is prone to allergies and is prescribed antifungal injections, avoid allergic reaction Diphenhydramine will help. To strengthen the immune system, the pet is also given immunostimulating agents.
If a dog is diagnosed with pityrosporosis (caused by the Malassezia fungus), the fungus will affect the internal part auricle, axillary areas, external ear canal, folds on the neck and muzzle, interdigital spaces, paraanal sinuses. In the presence of multiple lesions, Doctor, Nizoral, and Imaverol shampoos are used to treat Malassezia fungus in dogs.
After the tests, it is important to find out whether the dog’s disease is dangerous for other animals and people. If the pathogen is capable of infecting people, it is better to care for your pet with rubber gloves and keep it in a separate room or enclosure. If the infection spreads to different animals, the sick dog is isolated from its fellow dogs and cats.
Folk remedies against ringworm in dogs
At the initial stage of the disease, lichen spots can be treated with apple cider vinegar or fresh cranberry juice. Liquids are used for lotions. A decoction of medicinal herbs is given to the animal internally.
What is included in the herbal collection:
- Calendula flowers – 1.5 tsp.
- Oak bark – 0.5 tsp.
- Chamomile – 1.5 tsp.
- Yarrow herb – 1.5 tsp.
- St. John's wort herb – 0.5 tsp.
- Tansy flowers – 0.5 tsp.
- Burdock leaf – 0.5 tsp.
- Wormwood – 1.5 tsp.
- Birch leaves – 2.5 tsp.
- Marsh cudweed herb – 1.5 tsp.
- Sage leaves – 0.5 tsp.
- Red clover – 1.5 tsp.
2 tbsp. l. The prepared collection is poured with 1 liter of boiled water and left for 2 hours. Store the drug in the refrigerator. It is given to a sick dog half an hour before meals 2 times a day with a dosage of 10 - 30 ml. The stronger the degree of infection and the larger the animal, the larger the amount of broth it should drink.
Prevention
Owners will help prevent their dog from becoming infected with ringworm by following the following rules of prevention:
- Complete care.
- Normal conditions of detention.
- Timely vaccinations.
Treatment of lichen in a dog is a long process, but very important due to the fact that the disease is extremely contagious both for other animals and for humans, especially for children. The disease is also unpleasant because even after treatment, spores of the causative fungus can persist in the external environment for a long time.
Where to begin
Before treating a dog's ringworm, the fur around the affected areas of skin is trimmed extensively (sometimes the entire dog), which removes most of the fungal spores - this is an important part of treatment. All sheared wool is carefully collected and disposed of (ideally, burned).
The owner must carry out all manipulations with the dog wearing disposable gloves and clothing specially designated for this purpose.
Before using local medications, bald areas are washed with a soapy solution, for which it is good to use soap containing povidone-iodine or chlorhexidine (10 ml of liquid soap diluted in 1 liter of water). The skin is carefully blotted with the prepared solution, removing the crusts.
Use of folk remedies
It is possible to treat lichen with folk remedies only at the initial stage of the disease, when there is a single number of lesions on the skin. More often than not, folk remedies are combined with treatment prescribed at a veterinary clinic.
- Garlic is often used to treat ringworm. Cut a clove of garlic in half and rub the affected area. The procedure is repeated 3-4 times a day until recovery.
- Use apple cider vinegar to wipe your dog's bald patches and then apply garlic juice, pre-diluted 1:1 s camphor oil. Treatments are carried out 3-4 times a day.
- Garlic juice is mixed with a small amount of honey and the resulting mixture is used to treat skin spots 3-5 times a day.
- The head of garlic is peeled and passed through a garlic press. Add approximately the same amount apple cider vinegar and leave to brew for 2 days. Treatment is carried out 3-5 times a day until the skin is completely cleansed.
- Pharmaceutical tar has a quick effect in the treatment of lichen. A piece of cotton wool is wound on a wooden stick, moistened in tar and generously lubricated on the areas of skin affected by lichen. The procedure is carried out 3 times a day. Usually on the 3-4th day, the crusts on the bald patches disappear. A 30 ml bottle in pharmacies costs about 35 rubles.
- You can also do medicinal baths with celandine. 300 g of grass is poured cold water and bring to a boil. The solution is removed from the heat and left to infuse for an hour. The strained infusion is poured into a container with warm water where the dog will be bathed. Bathing should take no more than 10 minutes, every other day. Celandine herb is sold in pharmacies; one 50g box costs 60 rubles.
Treatment with drugs
Medicines for lichen, based on the principle of application, can be divided into the following groups:
- means for local treatment(ointments, sprays, shampoos, various solutions);
- systemic agents (tablets);
- vaccine preparations.
After an accurate diagnosis and receipt of prescriptions from a doctor, you can treat lichen in dogs at home.
Use of local remedies for treatment
When using products to directly treat affected areas, it is important to observe two points:
- ointments and creams are applied from the outer edge of the bald area to the center,
- To prevent your dog from licking off medications, you should wear a protective collar for your pet during treatment.
Such agents are most often used for local treatment.
Ointment for deprivation "YAM BK"The ointment is suitable for treatment ringworm, as well as weeping lichen in dogs (eczema). |
Human antifungal shampoos (Nizoral, Mycozoral, etc.)
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Cream "Sanoderm"
The cream is applied in a thin layer to the infected, clipped areas of the skin 2 times a day. After improvements occur, treatment once a day is sufficient. The ointment costs 110 rubles. |
Spray for deprivation "Fungin"
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Tablets for lichen
IN severe cases When a dog has a large number of areas affected by lichen, antifungal tablets are prescribed. The tablets are given along with food, the duration of treatment depends on the severity of the disease. All similar medicines should not be used by pregnant females.
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| Griseofulvin (250 rub.) 20-50 mg/kg, 2 times a day |
Ketoconazole (RUB 120) 10-20 mg/kg, 1 time per day |
Itraconazole (RUB 360) 10 mg/kg, 1 time per day |
Fluconazole (analogues of Diflucan, Flucostat) (Prices from 20 to 200 rubles). 10 mg/kg, 1 time per day |
Vaccinations for dogs against lichen
Vaccinations against lichen, as a rule, are carried out only in a clinic under the supervision of a doctor. Vaccination is carried out twice with an interval of two weeks. It is permissible to treat dogs with this method for lichen in the initial stages of the disease and during incubation period(if it is known for sure that the dog has been in contact with another infected animal). The injection is given intramuscularly; a slight swelling may remain at the injection site for 2-3 days, which will go away on its own.
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| Vakderm 1 dose costs 100 rubles. |
Microderm A package containing 4 ampoules costs 360 rubles. |
Polivac TM The price of 1 ampoule is 40 rubles. |
How to know if treatment is helping
On average, treatment for lichen in a dog can last up to 6 weeks (if the claws are affected, then up to a year). The prognosis is generally favorable.
- Scabs begin to separate on the affected areas
- New fur begins to grow
- Redness of the skin gradually disappears
- Itching is reduced
The effectiveness of treatment can only be accurately assessed using a Wood's lamp and taking scrapings and cultures from the skin of a sick dog. If in two tests taken at an interval of a month, the fungus that causes lichen is not found, then the dog is considered recovered.
How to wash your dog with medicated shampoo
Usually, medicated shampoos After soaping, it is recommended to leave for a few minutes. Therefore in winter time You need to be careful when washing your dog so that it doesn't catch a cold.
During the cold season, a dog of any size will have to be washed at home in the bathroom. A rubber mat should be placed at the bottom of the bathtub to prevent your pet's paws from slipping, otherwise there is a chance that the dog could get injured trying to get out. The water should be comfortable room temperature. First, the entire coat of the dog must be thoroughly moistened by massaging. It is necessary that the coat is wet right up to the skin, because if you simply water it from above from the shower, the undercoat may remain dry.
Then shampoo is applied evenly over the entire coat, rubbing and massaging. The dog is left in the bathroom for the time specified in the instructions. Then thoroughly rinse off all the shampoo. Afterwards, the dog is dried with a towel and left to dry in a warm room. Small dogs can be dried using a hair dryer on a low setting.
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