Canine and feline dermatophytosis: clinical finding in cases of the Clinical Veterinary Hospital of the ULPGC

Abstract

Dermatophytosis is a superficial skin disease caused by fungi that affects dogs, cats and can even be a zoonosis. Given its importance, the utility and response to routine diagnostic tests have been evaluated in 14 clinical cases of canine dermatophytosis and 7 clinical cases of feline dermatophytosis of the Clinical Veterinary Hospital of the ULPGC. Some aspects of the cases were evaluated; age, seasons of the year, transmission to other animals, zoonosis, and clinical signs. The diagnostic methods used were Wood's lamp examination where fluorescence was present in 38%, scrapings and microscopy of plucked hairs where arthrospores and/or invaded hairs were observed. The result was positive in 86% for the first and 29% for the second. Regarding treatment, 21 received a topical treatment based on bath with miconazole in combination with chlorhexidine gluconate and/or antifungal creams. Besides, 7 took itraconazole as systemic treatment. Similarly, environmental treatment was recommended in all as adjuvant therapy. The evolution was favourable in most of the patients as one month after starting the therapy there was a positive response, but the total cure is usually slow and can last up to several months.