Fungus in Cats
Dermatophytosis (ringworm)
It is typically a superficial fungal infection of skin, and it effects a wide range of species. Several fungi are zoonotic i.e., the suspected animal can transfer its infection to humans on physical touch. Healthy individual requires no treatment, but treatment is recommended to shorten the course of infection.
Clinical Signs
- Hair loss
- Scaling
- Crusting
- Erythema
- Papules
- Hyperpigmentation
- Pruritus
Diagnosis
- Direct examination of scales and hair from lesions or skin biopsy
- Wood’s lamp for direct examination
- Dermoscopy is used to identify hair for culture
- PCR findings confirm the presence or absence of fungal DNA on hair coat.
Important Pathogen
Microsporum canis that effects cats, dogs and to a very lesser extent to larger animals
Treatment and Prevention
Dermatophytosis (Fungus) is self-curing disease in most of the healthy animals
Animals are treated to minimize intensity of infection, to reduce spread to other susceptible animals and to shorten the course of disease
Infected animals must be kept separate from other animals in order to prevent contagion.
-Syrup Itraconazole 5mg/kg, once daily on week on or week off schedule depending upon the condition of cat.
Itraconazole is well tolerated and not associated hepatotoxicity.
However, compound itraconazole should be avoided.
Topical therapy is required to disinfect hair coat because infective spores are the source of transmission
-Use shampoo having 2% chlorhexidine and 2% miconazole
-Topical ointment having Terbinafine HCL (Lamisil) has good results.
-Lime Sulfur spray is also used (Lime sulfur 1:16)
