Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Successful resolution of dermatophyte mycetoma following terbinafine treatment in two cats.
- Journal:
- Veterinary dermatology
- Year:
- 2008
- Authors:
- Nuttall, T J et al.
- Affiliation:
- The University of Liverpool Small Animal Teaching Hospital · United Kingdom
- Species:
- cat
Plain-English summary
Two cats, a Persian and a Maine Coon, were diagnosed with a skin infection caused by a fungus called Microsporum canis. The Persian cat initially received a medication called itraconazole, but it didn't work well, while the Maine Coon had side effects from it. Both cats were treated with another medication called terbinafine for about 12 to 14 weeks, which successfully cleared the infection. The Maine Coon showed improvement after just 7 weeks, while the Persian cat needed additional treatments and a surgical procedure to fully resolve the issue. Overall, the treatment worked well for both cats, although the Persian cat experienced some tiredness as a side effect.
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 Itraconazole therapy was withdrawn through lack of efficacy in one cat (a Persian) and unacceptable adverse effects in the other (a Maine Coon).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.
Find similar cases for your pet
PetCaseFinder finds other peer-reviewed reports of pets with the same symptoms, plus a plain-English summary of what was tried across them.
Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19055614/