Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Terbinafine cured fungal skin infection in two cats
By Nuttall, T J et al.·Published in Veterinary dermatology·2008·The University of Liverpool Small Animal Teaching Hospital, United Kingdom·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Successful resolution of dermatophyte mycetoma following terbinafine treatment in two cats.
- Species:
- cat
Plain-English summary
A Persian cat and a Maine Coon were both diagnosed with a skin infection caused by a fungus (dermatophyte mycetoma) that led to hair loss and skin lesions. The Maine Coon responded well to terbinafine, a medication that cleared the infection after 7 weeks, while the Persian cat needed a combination of terbinafine and medicated shampoos for 12-14 weeks to significantly reduce the infection. After treatment, the Persian cat had surgery to remove the remaining infection. Although the Persian experienced some mild lethargy, both cats recovered well without any serious side effects.
People also search for: cat skin infection treatment · terbinafine for cats · Maine Coon dermatophyte mycetoma · Persian cat fungal infection · cat hair loss causes
Abstract
Microsporum canis sensitive to itraconazole and terbinafine was isolated from two cats presented with generalized dermatophytosis and dermatophyte mycetoma. Itraconazole therapy was withdrawn through lack of efficacy in one cat (a Persian) and unacceptable adverse effects in the other (a Maine Coon). Both cats achieved clinical and mycological cure after 12-14 weeks therapy with 26-31 mg kg(-1) terbinafine every 24 h per os (PO). Clinical signs in the Maine Coon resolved completely after 7 weeks treatment. Four weeks of therapy with additional weekly washes with a 2% chlorhexidine/2% miconazole shampoo following clipping produced a 98% reduction in the Persian cat's mycetoma, which was then surgically excised. Recurrent generalized dermatophytosis in the Persian cat has been managed with pulse therapy with 26 mg kg(-1) terbinafine every 24 h PO for 1 week in every month. No underlying conditions predisposing to dermatophytosis were found in either cat despite extensive investigation. Terbinafine administration was associated with mild to moderate lethargy in the Persian cat, but no other adverse effects or changes in blood parameters were seen. To the best of the authors' knowledge this is the first report of a dermatophyte mycetoma in a Maine Coon and of successful resolution of this condition in cats following terbinafine therapy.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19055614/