Fungus in dogs

Unbeknownst to many pet owners, dogs can develop fungal infections. If treatment is not received, these infections can affect a dog’s skin, ears, and even internal organs, causing discomfort and health problems. Maintaining your dog’s health and happiness depends on your understanding of the symptoms of a fungal infection and how to treat it.

Dogs may get fungus from their food, other animals, their surroundings, or even other sources. Certain types of fungi prefer moist or unclean environments, so your pet may be at risk in these settings.

Thankfully, with the right care, the majority of fungal infections in dogs can be cured. Early detection and appropriate treatment can help your dog heal more quickly and avoid complications. Every dog owner needs to know how to recognize these infections and what to do when they do.

Symptoms of Fungus in Dogs	Treatment Options
Itching and scratching	Topical antifungal creams
Red, flaky skin	Oral antifungal medications
Hair loss in patches	Special medicated shampoos
Odor from infected areas	Regular cleaning of affected areas
Thickened skin	Consult a veterinarian for advanced care

Dogs with fungal infections may experience discomfort, skin rashes, and hair loss, but most cases are treatable with the correct care and attention. Early detection of symptoms such as redness, itching, or flaky patches is crucial. A veterinarian should be consulted for an accurate diagnosis and course of therapy. Fungal infections can be avoided from becoming a chronic problem by practicing good grooming and keeping your surroundings clean.

What kind of disease is this

Lichen is a general term that can be used to group together infectious skin diseases. While the symptoms of all these pathologies are similar, the agents causing baldness will differ. It might be a virus, bacteria, or fungus. Dogs, cats, and humans are all prone to illness. Certain illnesses have the potential to spread among species as well as to humans.

Types of pathology

1. Dermatophytosis, or ringworm, is the most common fungal disease in dogs. When a spore of the Microsporum or Trichophyton fungus gets on the hair, it begins to produce a large number of keratinases – special substances that dissolve the cuticle wall. Then their hyphae begin to grow into the hair. Basically, the fungus affects the hair at the growth stage, since it contains a lot of nutrients. The hair becomes thinner and breaks off. Hence the name "cutting" – the affected area seems to be cut.
2. Lichen caused by yeast fungi of the genus Malassezia. Normally, these fungi are normal microflora of the skin of warm-blooded animals. But under certain favorable conditions, it begins to multiply. Places that are most favorable for excessive growth of the fungus are the lip area (including the tongue), ear canals, folds of the nose, around the eyes, between the fingers, anus.
3. Weeping eczema, or weeping lichen. A non-contagious type of skin disease that often occurs as an allergic reaction. First, a blister appears, which the dog gradually licks until a pink, wet, hairless area. Often, such lesions occur on the paws or on the back, that is, in those places where the dog can reach with its tongue.
4. Pink lichen in dogs is not dangerous to humans. Often is an accompanying symptom of infectious diseases. Looks like a small pink spot and does not cause concern in dogs.
5. Herpes virus lichen, or shingles. Baldness occurs in the abdomen and chest area. The dog is worried about the virus, the affected areas itch. By scratching or licking them, pets bring in secondary microflora, thereby aggravating the disease.

Risk group

Generally speaking, healthy animals’ immune systems can handle harmful fungi. However, a few risk factors remain for the illness’s development:

• age – fungus often occurs in puppies or older dogs (due to weakened immunity);
• climatic conditions – warm and humid climate is favorable for the growth of fungus;
• hunting breeds are more likely to catch the disease (they can become infected with soil-borne fungi or from field mice and rodents);
• the presence of ectoparasites (fleas can be carriers);
• immunosuppressive conditions – hormone treatment, viral infections;
• dogs that are taken to exhibitions, mating, to the groomer;
• dog breeds that have a large number of skin folds.

Routes of infection

Spores of fungi are highly resilient to their surroundings. Furthermore, certain animals harbor the fungus; although they do not become ill, they have the ability to spread the infection to others.

There is a ringworm infection:

• through direct contact with a sick or recovered animal;
• through grooming items – combs, hair clippers;
• even if the dog sits at home, a person can bring spores on shoes.

There is an incubation period of four days to four weeks.

Symptoms of fungus in dogs

Any kind of fungus can cause a number of common symptoms, such as bald spots of varying sizes on the skin, apathy in the dog, decreased appetite, and in rare situations, a slight rise in body temperature.

The locations of lesions and the appearance of particular signs can vary depending on the pathogen.

Ringworm

• oval bald spots appear on any part of the body;
• gray or gray-white scales appear on the skin;
• crusts may be all over the body or in one localized place;
• affected areas may become inflamed to the point of dermatitis.

Lichen that is weeping

• spots appear on the muzzle, tail, or paws;
• because of the itching, the dog constantly licks and scratches these areas;
• spots are pink, wet, and sometimes ichor may be released.

Rose-colored Pityriasis

• small bald pink or red areas on the dog"s body;
• the skin at the site of the lesion peels;
• gradually increase in size.

Zooster tinea

• bald areas appear around the neck, abdomen, or chest;
• gradually begin to swell and become inflamed, then peel, causing severe itching;
• affected areas may become secondarily infected due to the dog constantly licking or scratching.

Lichen Malassezia

• hairless areas are initially pink, but gradually become brown;
• The fungus causes severe itching in the dog;
• an unpleasant odor appears;
• The affected areas are retarded.

Places of localization

The fungus parasitizes most commonly:

• on the face;
• on the paws (including on the claws and pillows of the paws);
• in the area of ​​armpits;
• in the groin;
• In the area of ​​the abdomen.

The dog progressively distributes the infection throughout its body as a result of itching.

Diagnosis of the disease

The most crucial thing is that any ointments or solutions cannot be applied to the skin’s affected areas prior to the clinic visit. This may make the diagnosis a great deal more difficult. The following are the primary indicators that a dog is experiencing deprivation:

• inspection and survey of the owner (when and where the animal was taken out, how long spots appeared, and t.p.);
• Luminescent diagnosis of Wood lamp (affected wool shines with an emerald color);
• Trichoscopy and scraping (scales and wool are taken from the animal and studied under a microscope);
• cytological examination (is the most reliable in case of malassezia);
• culture on nutrient media is the most informative method for dermatophytosis, which will give an accurate result.

Crucial! A Wood’s lamp will glow on ringworm in less than half of the cases. Always take a skin scrape and plant a fungal culture to ensure that you are diagnosing ringworm correctly!

Treatment of fungus

Dog fungus treatment is challenging and individualized. Typically, treatment is drawn out and multistage.

The primary goals of the actions are:

• eliminating the carriage of the fungus;
• reducing the risk of infection in people;
• reducing the risk of infection in other animals;
• preventing re-infection of the dog.

It should be mentioned that animals who recover from the illness frequently start spreading the fungus to other animals. For up to eighteen months, the microbe can survive in the surroundings and on the body of an animal that has recovered.

Treatment in a clinic

The veterinarian will confirm the diagnosis and then write a prescription for the pet’s care, which the owner must follow at home.

A lengthy (up to 12 week) course of antifungal medication is the foundation of systemic treatment. The dog is prescribed the so-called pulse treatment, which entails giving the medication every day for three weeks, then every other week or every other day. When a fungal culture comes back negative repeatedly, stop giving tablets.

Shampoos and lotions are used as local treatments. Because the dog can slide off the entire dose of medication before the action begins, using ointments and drops is ineffective. The veterinarian may suggest shaving all of the wool in small dogs in order to get rid of any hair disputes. This approach is debatable, t.To. Going to the salon could potentially infect someone else, as the owner will not be able to shave the dog themselves.

The suggestions for handling the premises are equally crucial. Mechanical cleaning, such as eliminating the fungus dispute, must be done as frequently as feasible. Every day, everything is vacuum-cleaned, including the floor, skirting boards, furniture, and curtains. Burning the vacuum cleaner’s contents is preferable. Bed linens are launched for consecutive two-wash cycles. Throw out all of the brushes, rugs, litter, etc., if you can.

Crucial! Immunization against deprivation has no therapeutic or preventive value! There are currently no trustworthy vaccinations.

Treatment at home

Isolating a sick dog is advised if at all possible. To prevent the pet from spreading the fungus throughout the entire apartment, they are assigned a specific area.

Systemic treatment is administered precisely in accordance with the doctor’s recommended plan.

Two times a week, the dog is bathed with antifungal shampoos or lotions. After washing your pet, make sure to leave the shampoo on their fur for up to ten minutes, and then give them a thorough rinse. Once a week, or if there are other animals in the house, they too should be bathed with medicated shampoos.

Medications for treatment

• Shampoo with Ketoconazole or Miconazole – used 2-3 times a week. The shampoo is diluted 1:5 A 150 ml bottle costs from 177 rubles.
• Lime rinse sulfur – a veterinary drug, prescribed twice a week. A 473 ml bottle costs 2800 rubles.
• Enilconazole 0.2% (imaverol) is a veterinary antifungal drug. Diluted with water in a ratio of 1:50. Treatment is carried out once a week. Price of a 100 ml bottle is 2750 rubles.

1. Itraconazole – a tablet is given once a day at a dosage of 5-10 mg / kg. The course of treatment depends on the dynamics of recovery. A package of 15 capsules costs from 215 rubles.
2. Fluconazole – a capsule once a day, a dose of 10 mg / kg. Price of 7 tablets (50 mg) from 30 rubles.
3. Terbinafine – the advantage of the drug is that it can be given to pregnant females. 1 time per day at a dose of 20-30 mg / kg. Price for a package of 10 tablets is 126 rubles.

How to understand that the treatment helps?

• bald areas begin to grow new hairs;
• old crusts fall off, new ones do not appear;
• redness and swelling disappear;
• the dog scratches the lesions less.

It is only possible to achieve full recovery with two negative cultures spaced one month apart.

Every two weeks, if the test is positive, more diagnostics are performed as part of the treatment plan.

Is fungus in dogs dangerous for humans?

The only lichen that is safe for human health is pink and moist lichen.

Certain species are particularly dangerous for individuals with weakened immune systems and highly contagious.

Children, expectant mothers, and the elderly should avoid interacting with recently arrived animals from pet stores or exhibitions for a while. Quarantining new animals lasts for two weeks. Remember the guidelines for personal hygiene as well; you should always wash your hands after handling a dog.

Dog fungus can be difficult to treat, but it can be controlled with early identification and the right care. Early detection of symptoms such as thinning hair, rashes, or dry, flaky skin can help prevent the issue from getting worse.

A clean living environment and proper hygiene practices are key to avoiding fungal infections. Maintaining your dog’s health and comfort can be achieved by following treatment plans and scheduling routine veterinary checkups.

You can guarantee your pet’s happiness, health, and freedom from fungal problems by being knowledgeable and taking preventative measures.

Video on the topic

Fungus in Dogs and Cats | Skin Diseases: Symptoms and Treatments in the Video Review of TM DAVIS

Conjunctivitis in dogs, how to treat ear fungus in a pug?

English Bulldog. Part 26. Malassezia Fungus

Fungus in dogs | Symptoms | Treatment | Shampoo.

A detailed description of how to treat fungus in the ears of a dog

Candidiasis in dogs | Causes | Symptoms | Treatment.

Fungal diseases//DIAGNOSIS/TREATMENT

Fungal skin diseases. How to treat? What to do?