Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Treatment of dermatophytosis in dogs and cats: review of published studies.
- Journal:
- Veterinary dermatology
- Year:
- 2004
- Authors:
- Moriello, Karen A
- Affiliation:
- Department of Medical Sciences · United States
Plain-English summary
Recent studies have looked at how to treat dermatophytosis, a fungal infection, in dogs and cats. Several topical treatments, like lime sulfur, enilconazole rinses, and a special shampoo containing miconazole and chlorhexidine, have been shown to effectively fight the fungus when applied once or twice a week. For oral medications, griseofulvin can cure the infection in about 41 to 70 days, while itraconazole takes around 56 to 70 days, depending on the dosing method. Terbinafine also works but requires higher doses and can take anywhere from 21 days to over 126 days to clear the infection. Overall, while some treatments are effective, fungal vaccines have not been proven to work well against the infection itself, though they might help in treatment plans.
Abstract
The recent literature on the treatment of dermatophytosis in dogs and cats was reviewed. Based upon in vitro studies using isolated infected hairs and controlled or field in vivo studies, the following topical treatments were consistently found to be antifungal (i.e. antidermatophyte): lime sulfur (1:16), 0.2% enilconazole rinses, and a combined 2% miconazole/chlorhexidine shampoo. Animals or hairs were either bathed or rinsed once or twice weekly. Itraconazole, griseofulvin and terbinafine were evaluated in controlled or field studies, most commonly involving cats. Griseofulvin (50 mg kg(-1)) was reported to cure infected animals in 41-70 days. Itraconazole (10 mg kg(-1) once daily or in a combined daily/pulse therapy 10 mg kg(-1) once daily for 28 days and then week on/week off) was reported to cure infected animals in 56-70 days. Low-dose itraconazole (1.5-3.0 mg kg(-1)) in 15-day cycles required 1-3 cycles (15-45 days). Various doses of terbinafine (5-40 mg kg(-1)) were reportedly used to treat dogs or cats. The higher doses of terbinafine (> 20 mg kg(-1)) were required to achieve a mycological cure; the number of treatment days to cure varied from 21 to > 126 days. Lufenuron was reported anecdotally to be an effective cure, however, this was not substantiated in controlled studies. Finally, fungal vaccines were not found to be effective against challenge exposure, however, there is evidence that they may be useful in treatment protocols.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15030558/