Back

FUNGAL INFECTIONS OF THE SKIN

First broadcast on www.provet.co.uk  


This information is provided by Provet for educational purposes only.

You should seek the advice of your veterinarian if your pet is ill as only he or she can correctly advise on the diagnosis and recommend the treatment that is most appropriate for your pet.

Some forms of fungal skin infections (such as  Ringworm) are a potential Zoonosis and can be transmitted to humans particularly if they can gain access into the body through cuts, grazes or wounds- so animals known to have fungal disease should be handled with care by using protective gloves and washing hands after handling.

Fungi are common organisms in our environment, and many can cause disease - but they often require specialist laboratory tests to identify them properly

Because fungi are common in the environment it is not surprising that they are often found in the coat or on the skin of our pets and other domesticated animals. However, finding a fungus in an animals hair coat does not necessarily  mean that the organism is causing skin disease. For example, the fungi that cause the skin disease commonly called "Ringworm", can be isolated from the hair coat of normal animals.

Dogs and cats are frequently exposed to fungus infections by digging in soil or other areas where fungi may grow, and fungal diseases are spread from one animal to another by direct contact, or indirect contact through contaminated material (skin cells, hairs etc) dropped into the environment.

Not all animals exposed by contact with a fungus will contract a disease. Young animals that have not been exposed to the fungus before and so have no natural immunity are more susceptible, as are animals with a poor immune system. Animals that have been treated with long term corticosteroids are also at risk to develop fungal infections.

Fungal infections can take many forms and affect many parts of the skin and body, for example :

  • Patchy hair loss with increased scurf and broken hairs is typically seen in cats with ringworm
  • Firm, ulcerated nodular swellings in the skin  may develop in cats with Microsporum canis
  • Hair loss with scaling and crusts form on the head of dogs 
  • Fungal infection of the nailbeds causes cracked, discoloured and distorted  claws, and the infection may or may not involve the footpads

Some fungal infections can also contaminate wounds, and deeper soft tissues - even bones. These are extremely serious infections which can be very difficult to treat adequately. Inhalation of fungi up the nose (eg aspergillus) can result in an infection within the nasal cavity which can also be  serious and difficult to treat.

Diagnosis of fungal disease can be difficult and often requires specialised specimen collection, transportation and laboratory testing.

Many animals will develop a natural resistance to a fungal infection and the skin lesions will regress gradually...in other words no treatment is needed. In other animals an underlying cause should be sought - for example old animals may have an immune problem.

For most cases treatment is advisable, and several different forms of treatment have been recommended. Depending upon the site of infection treatment may involve :

  • Clipping hair around lesions
  • Bathing with an antifungal shampoo
  • Applying antifungal creams, lotions or ointments
  • Antifungal drugs can be given by mouth - eg griseofulvin, ketoconazole but there are situations when these may not be used - eg during pregnancy
  • For some fungal infections vaccinations are now available - eg for ringworm in cats and kittens.

If you have a pet with a fungal disease your veterinarian will advise you about the best form of  treatment, and whether or not you should take special precautions to avoid transmission of the disease to yourself or your family and friends.

 

Updated October 2013