Animals and humans have skin as an important organ that covers their bodies. But what should we do if this skin disease causes us and our beloved pets to worry?
“Skin diseases” are common in dogs and cats. Pets with this disease often have itching, hair loss, red skin, or flakes, etc. The cause of skin diseases can be caused by many factors, whether it is fungus or bacteria, and it can also be transmitted to humans. Although it may not look life-threatening on the outside, it is a disease that must be treated quickly. Leaving it for a long time is definitely not good. For many owners who wonder if their dogs and cats are itching and hair loss is due to fungus? If so, how can it be treated or cared for? Let’s learn about fungus in dogs and cats.
Causes of fungal diseases
Factors that cause infection are a weak immune system. Therefore, fungal infections are often found in young animals or elderly pets with incomplete immunity, which are more likely to get infected. In addition, if the environment where the pet lives is very humid or the skin layer is wounded, it can also cause fungal infections.
Fungal diseases often occur on the skin, hair and nails of pets. Most are caused by infections from fungi in the Microsporum Trichophyton and Epidermophyton Genus. In dogs, Microsporum Canis is most commonly infected, followed by Microsporum Gypseum and Trichophyton Mentagrophytes. This fungus is transmitted from small rodents such as mice, guinea pigs or rabbits. In cats, it is often caused by Microsporum Canis. 90 %
Symptoms of fungal disease in dogs and cats
Common symptoms are that the fungus destroys the hair follicles and follicles of dogs and cats, causing the hair to become weak and fall out easily. In some cases, hair loss may occur in circles and flakes. However, itching is found in cases where the skin layer of dogs and cats is damaged and inflamed. This can lead to other infections and trigger itching. What you need to be careful about is: Fungi can be transmitted to humans and animals. Through direct contact with animals or through the environment. The incubation period of the disease is 1-3 weeks. The fungus grows in the fur and skin and develops to cause disease.
Diagnosis methods
1. Pluck the hairs to examine for fungal spores.
2. Use a Wood lamp to shine directly on the lesion area. If there is a green reflection around the lesion or flakes, it means that there is a chance of fungus. However, the limitation of this method is that it can only detect Microsporum Canis fungi and is not very accurate.
3. Fungal culture: The veterinarian will collect hair around the area to culture for 7-21 days. If it is fungal, the culture medium will change color and white colonies will form.
Treatment of fungal infections in dogs and cats
1. Take antifungal drugs such as Terbinafine, Itraconazole, or Fluconazole.
2. Treatment with dipping or applying medication to the skin, such as lime sulfur, is suitable for young pets that cannot be given medication or young kittens that are not ready to take antifungal medications.
3. Bathing with shampoo containing Miconazole, Ketoconazole or 2% Chlorhexidine will reduce the number of fungal spores, but the treatment results are temporary.
4. Haircut When pets are infected with fungus, many people often want their pets to have their hair cut short, which is not always necessary. However, the hair may be cut short so that the external medicine can be applied effectively. The important thing is to be careful that the cut hair can spread the fungus. When it is necessary to cut the hair, you should choose a skilled groomer to reduce the chance of dermatitis or the spread of the disease.
After the above treatment, the veterinarian will monitor the treatment results by observing the reduction of the lesions and repeat the fungal culture until no fungus is found 1-2 times, 2-4 weeks apart.
Fungal disease is a disease that can be transmitted between pets and also to humans. Therefore, owners should pay attention when symptoms of the disease are found. They should quickly take their pets to see a veterinarian for diagnosis and treatment along with the care of the owner, whether it is bathing or taking care of the cleanliness of the living area, which are important parts that will make our dogs and cats recover from fungus faster.
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References
Dr. Sornpat Piyaworasak (Dr. Sem), veterinarian at the Dermatology and Internal Medicine Departments, Talingchan Animal Hospital
A color handbook of skin diseases of the dog and cat : timnuttall, Richard g. Harvey , Patrick J. mckeecer : manson publishing : second edition
What causes fungus in dogs? https://blog.olimogoodskin.com/Dogs have fungus caused by/
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