The cat is one of the most beloved pets for humans. This furry friend has long been faithfully serving for the benefit of all people.
But like all living organisms on the planet, it is susceptible to various kinds of diseases that can appear at any time. One of the most common diseases is skin fungus in cats.
In general, this scourge is a general definition of skin diseases that are attacked by harmful microorganisms.
By parasitizing on the surface of the skin, microbes cause detachment of the cat's epidermis, loss of fur hairs, loss of pigment that is responsible for the cat's color, and a foul odor.
If preventive measures are not taken in time, the fungus will appear in the cat’s ears, paws, and tail.
A pet can lose weight and lose its body's defenses. Therefore, at the slightest danger, you should immediately contact a veterinarian.
What can lead to the formation of fungus
If we consider the picture as a whole, we can say that the appearance of nail fungus in cats (and not only it) occurs when the pet has physical contact with other representatives of its species.
In this case, even those cats that lead a domestic lifestyle are not insured, as they can pick up pathogens from the outdoor shoes and clothes of their owners.
This is especially true in rainy weather or in a house where there is a constant humid environment. In addition, you should be wary of minor injuries, diaper rash, etc.
The following factors can lead to the appearance of fungus:
- A young and fragile body;
- The period of lambing in a cat, when the body’s defense systems weaken;
- Decreased immunity due to the activity of a dangerous virus;
- Poor feeding;
- Carrying out immunosuppressive therapy;
- The influence of other serious diseases such as diabetes.
In some cases, diseases of this type may be asymptomatic, so they can only be detected after the hosts themselves have become infected. Very often children become the first carriers, as they most often play with pets.
Sporotrichosis
It occurs from fungal spores found in the soil. Infection occurs in two ways - through skin lesions, or by airborne droplets. Mainly cats are susceptible to this disease. The disease develops on damaged skin, on the face, and sometimes on the tail. During illness, hair falls out on the affected areas of the skin. Sometimes, sporotrichosis affects internal organs, the liver and lungs. An animal can be completely cured only if the disease has not affected the internal organs.
Potassium iodide is considered the best treatment for sporotrichosis.
In addition, ketoconazole and itraconazole give good results. If the disease has affected the internal organs, then you need to use amphotericin B. These medications are very toxic, so you do not need to use them yourself. It is recommended to consult a veterinarian, and under no circumstances attempt to treat the animal yourself.
A person can become infected with sporotrichosis through contact with inflamed areas of a cat's skin. Therefore, contact with a sick cat should be kept to a minimum, and rubber gloves should be used when caring for it.
Manifestation of the disease
Once pathogenic microbes have reached the skin surface, they immediately begin to harm the health of the cat (by releasing toxic toxins and enzymes).
Over time, this can lead to the death of the epidermis from the upper skin and the development of inflammatory processes.If the owner notices that the first symptoms of fungus have appeared in the cat, then it urgently needs to be shown to an experienced professional.
After all, without proper care, the fungus will penetrate deeper into the pet’s body, damaging the fur structure and hair follicles.
What signs can be used to determine the presence of harmful parasites? First of all this:
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- Loss of damaged pieces of fur;
- The presence of empty bald spots on the cat with clear boundaries in the head, ear area, and also on the paws;
- Restless behavior (the animal runs from corner to corner, itches and often rubs against objects);
- Scabies;
- Bad smell;
- The presence of a strange, pinpoint plaque in the ears;
- Formation of tubercles on the skin surface;
- Frequent sneezing;
- Bloody runny nose.
If the situation is neglected, the initial symptoms can develop into a severe form of the disease, which will lead to anemia, pneumonia, and complications in the gastrointestinal tract.
If the cat is still young or weakened (for example, due to lack of food), this can be fatal.
Causative agent of cryptococcosis
Carriers of the yeast-like pathogenic fungi Cryptococcus neoformans are wild and domestic birds. Cats become infected by inhaling spores of the pathogen when sniffing droppings, bedding or other objects that have previously been in contact with carriers.
It is believed that a person cannot become infected with cryptococcosis from their pet. But experts advise following hygiene rules, since the potential possibility cannot be completely ruled out.
Symptoms
There are 2 forms of the disease depending on the location of the pathological process.
- The nasal form of cryptococcosis is manifested by signs of rhinitis, cough, purulent discharge from the eyes. If left untreated, inflammation spreads to the meninges, causing meningitis.
- The skin form leads to the appearance of small nodules on the nose, gradually turning into purulent ulcers.
Treatment
Therapy is reduced to the use of oral and external antifungal drugs. It is advisable to additionally treat foci of purulent inflammation with antibacterial ointments or sprays.
Types of infections
If a person suspects that his pet has picked up an infection somewhere, but is not completely sure, it is worth looking into the global web and looking for photographs of fungus in cats.
There you will also find information on various types of fungal infections:
- Aspergillosis;
- Ringworm;
- Cryptococcosis;
- Malassezia;
- Candidiasis and others.
Infections associated with the presence of fungus are a dangerous disease not only for animals, but also for people, so if there is a threat, you must urgently see an experienced specialist.
Diagnostics and therapy
At the first sign of a fungal infection, you should take your animal to the veterinarian. The doctor will conduct an examination, collect information about the cat’s well-being and possible diseases, prescribe a diagnosis and recommend treatment.
If there are skin lesions, the animal may need to be examined using a Vwood lamp. The device allows you to identify cases of microsporia.
The most reliable method of identifying the pathogen is scraping the skin from the affected area, followed by culturing the fungus and determining its sensitivity to drugs. This method requires a certain time to grow flora (on average 1 to 2 weeks).
Other diagnostic methods include:
- general blood analysis;
- microscopy of wool in a 10% alkali solution for the presence of pathogen spores;
- skin biopsy;
- smears from mucous membranes;
- microscopic examination of prints of the affected areas obtained using special adhesive tape.
Symptoms and treatment are closely related. Therapy for a fungal disease depends on the type of pathogen, the degree of external and internal lesions, and the general condition of the animal. Self-medication without identifying the pathogen can cause irreparable harm to your pet.
Treatment of fungus involves:
- use of antifungal shampoos;
- applying external antimycotics (creams, ointments, powders) to the affected areas;
- taking antihistamines for severe itching;
- use of an Elizabethan collar and blanket to prevent scratching and licking of medications;
- oral or injection administration of antifungal agents.
Your pet should be treated with antibiotics strictly according to indications, adhering to the dosage. The main reason for using antibacterial drugs is the addition of a bacterial infection.
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Blastomycosis
This fungus lives in soil that is contaminated with manure or bird droppings.
In addition to cats, people and dogs are also susceptible to this disease.
Very often, blastomycosis affects the respiratory system, skin, eyes and brain. This disease is very dangerous for humans. It is best treated with amphotericin B. In recent years, ketoconazole has been successfully used to treat blastomycosis. The main difficulty in treating this disease is the very high toxicity of these drugs. The likelihood of a cat infecting a person is not high, but it is better to take precautions. Contact with a sick cat is only possible while wearing protective gloves. There are also many known cases of human infection after a dog bite.
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Treatment
Advanced disease entails hearing loss, up to complete hearing loss, and brain damage. The earlier treatment is started, the higher the chance of a favorable outcome. Therapy consists of the use of antifungal or fungicidal drugs containing active ingredients:
- terbinafine and thiabendazole for external use;
- griseofulvin for oral administration;
- flucytosine and amphotericin B - in the form of infusions for severe forms of the disease.
Drops and ointments are prescribed for placement in the ear. Treatment is selected only by a veterinarian based on the results of laboratory tests.
Measures to prevent ear fungus:
- strengthening the immune system;
- balanced diet;
- moderate bathing – up to 5-6 times a year;
- timely treatment of chronic diseases.
It is recommended to have your pet regularly examined by a veterinarian so as not to miss the onset of the disease.
