Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Common skin infections in pets - what to know
By Bond, Ross·Published in Clinics in dermatology·2010·Department of Veterinary Clinical Studies, United Kingdom·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Superficial veterinary mycoses.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A dog with itchy skin and ear infections was likely suffering from a common yeast infection caused by Malassezia pachydermatis. This yeast is a normal part of the skin but can sometimes overgrow, leading to problems like dermatitis (skin inflammation) and otitis (ear infection). Treatment typically involves antifungal medications and medicated shampoos to help clear the infection and soothe the skin. With proper care, most dogs recover well and their symptoms improve significantly.
People also search for: dog itchy skin treatment · ear infection in dogs · Malassezia dermatitis in dogs
Abstract
Dermatophytes are significant pathogens in animal health due to their zoonotic potential, the economic consequences of infection in farm animal and fur production systems, and the distressing lesions they cause in small domestic pets. Malassezia spp are normal commensal and occasional pathogens of the skin of many veterinary species. Malassezia pachydermatis is a very common cause of otitis and pruritic dermatitis in dogs but is of less importance in other veterinary species. Dermatophytosis, and Malassezia otitis and dermatitis, represent the superficial mycoses of greatest significance in companion and farm animal health. Although the dermatophytes and Malassezia spp both exist in the stratum corneum of mammalian skin, there are important differences in the epidemiology, pathogenesis, and clinical consequences of infection. Dermatophytes are significant due to their zoonotic potential, the economic consequences of infection in farm animal and fur production systems, and the concern for owners of pets with inflammatory skin disease that is sometimes severe. Malassezia spp are normal commensals and occasional pathogens of the skin for many veterinary species, and M pachydermatis is a very common cause of otitis and pruritic dermatitis in dogs. This chapter will focus on the epidemiologic, clinical, diagnostic, and therapeutic aspects of dermatophytosis and Malassezia dermatitis in veterinary species. There are generally only sporadic reports of other superficial mycoses, such as candidiasis, piedra, and Rhodotorula dermatitis in veterinary medicine, and these are not included here.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20347667/