Dermatomycosis It is a skin disease caused by mushrooms, which affects both cats and other domestic animals such as dogs, and even humans. This skin pathology is generated when dermatophyte fungi invade the superficial layers of the skin, fur or nails. In cats, it is particularly frequent and can have several origins, the most common being Microsporum canis, a fungus that can also infect humans, making it a disease zoonotic.
The contagion of this disease can be direct or indirect, and although it is not lethal, it is essential to treat it properly to avoid complications and spread to other animals and family members. Below, we will explore in detail its causes, symptoms, treatment and how to prevent it.
Causes of dermatomycosis in cats
Cats become infected with this disease through exposure to fungal spores. Spores are resistant forms of the fungus that infect the fur or skin of animals, and they can survive in the environment for months, making infection extremely easy.
- Direct contact: by touching an infected animal. This is most common in environments where animals are kept together, such as shelters or breeding facilities.
- Indirect contact: via various contaminated objects such as brushes, bedding, blankets and transport cages. Spores can easily adhere to these objects and spread rapidly.
- Predisposing factors:Young, old, or immunocompromised cats are at higher risk for dermatomycosis, especially if they suffer from other diseases that weaken their immune system.
Stress, poor nutrition and unsanitary living conditions such as excessively humid or inadequately cleaned spaces also increase the likelihood of infection. Long-haired cats also have a harder time cleaning themselves thoroughly, allowing spores to adhere to the deep layers of the fur.
Symptoms of dermatomycosis
Symptoms vary depending on the type of fungus and the degree of infection, but some common signs can alert owners:
- Hair loss in circular areas: The most common characteristic is the appearance of rounded lesions where the hair falls out, leaving the skin exposed. These bald spots usually appear on the head, ears, legs and tail.
- Peeling skin and scabs:These areas where hair has fallen out may begin to show dry, flaking skin, often accompanied by yellowish crusts.
- Constant itching and scratching: The cat will begin to scratch the affected areas persistently, which can worsen the lesions.
- Affected nails: In rarer cases, onychomycosis may occur, a condition that damages the nails, causing flaking and brittleness.
- Erythema and inflammation: The skin around infestations may become red and swollen due to the fungus invading the surface layers.
It is important to be alert to these symptoms to prevent the infection from getting worse or spreading to other animals or humans.
Diagnosis of dermatomycosis in cats
Diagnosing dermatomycosis is not always simple, as the symptoms can be confused with other skin conditions. Specific tests are essential to confirm the presence of fungi.
- wood lamp: This tool uses ultraviolet light to detect fungi. Some dermatophytes, such as Microsporum canis, glow apple green under this light. However, the absence of fluorescence does not mean that there is no infection, since not all fungi emit this light.
- Skin scraping and trichogram: involves scraping a small amount of skin at the edge of the lesion and examining it under a microscope. This technique can reveal the presence of hyphae, spores or fungal elements in the hair.
- Mushroom cultivation (DTM): This is one of the most effective tests, although it is slow. Hairs or skin scales are placed in specialized culture media that help to cultivate the fungus and subsequently identify it. This process can take up to 3 weeks, but it is crucial to confirm the diagnosis.
- PCR testsThese analyses can identify the DNA of fungi present in a hair or skin sample, detecting even early infections.
Early diagnosis helps prevent complications, especially in homes with multiple pets or where there are vulnerable people.
Treatment of dermatomycosis in cats
Treatment of feline dermatomycosis may require a combined effort of topical and systemic therapies and environmental disinfection measures. If not treated properly, the infection may be prolonged or spread to other animals and humans.
Treatment may include:
- Topical treatmentAntifungal ointments or shampoos are often used to apply directly to the affected areas. In long-haired cats, it is advisable to trim or shave parts of the fur to facilitate treatment and reduce the amount of spores on their skin.
- Oral treatment (systemic therapy): In severe cases, antifungal medication may be administered orally. One of the most common is itraconazole, although it is important to monitor the cat for side effects, especially to the liver.
- Environmental decontamination: Thoroughly cleaning the environment where the affected cat resides is key to avoiding reinfection. Fungal spores can persist on blankets, beds, and other objects that must be thrown away or disinfected with specific products, such as bleach or Virkon.
Treatment should continue until the cat has tested negative on two or more follow-up cultures, usually after a period of 6 to 8 weeks. Stopping treatment early may result in a relapse.
How to prevent dermatomycosis?
Prevention plays a crucial role in protecting your cat and yourself from this disease:
- Keep your environment clean: clean, dry environments are less prone to spore proliferation.
- Make sure your cat has a balanced diet rich in nutrients that strengthen its immune system.
- Avoid contact with animals showing signs of dermatomycosis until they have been treated.
- If you adopt a new cat, have it examined by a veterinarian before bringing it into your home.
These measures, together with monitoring for early symptoms, can prevent your cat from contracting this infection. Although dermatomycosis is not a serious disease, its treatment can be long and expensive, and its transmission to humans represents a significant risk.
In addition to maintaining a clean and controlled environment, it is essential to monitor the cat's general health, including its feeding routines and regular deworming, to reduce the chances of fungi or other microorganisms finding a favorable environment to develop.
Dermatomycosis is a condition that, although not fatal, can be bothersome for both the cat and its owners. Early detection of symptoms, accompanied by proper diagnosis and ongoing treatment with both topical and systemic therapies, is the key to ensuring the animal's full recovery and preventing transmission to other family members, whether people or pets.
My kitten is beginning to present this disease, I took him to the vet and they sent him an anti flea pipette and if it did not work, they will have to do some tests, he scratches a lot behind his ears, he has already removed a lot of hair there, but I do not understand how it could be infected, because it is always at home. Does the medicine they give them remove the fungus fast? How can I prevent it from giving it again :(?