Causes of fungal skin diseases in dogs

1. The occurrence of canine skin mycosis is related to climate, age and physical constitution. For example, the incidence rate is higher in hot and humid climates, and young animals are more susceptible than adult animals. People who are malnourished and weak are more susceptible than those who are nutritionally strong.
2. In clinical practice, long-term use of large doses of stimulation causes dogs to have reduced resistance, and they are also susceptible to this disease.
3. Pathogens According to clinical statistics, 5 kinds of molds have been found to cause skin mycosis in dogs. They are: Microsporum canis, Microsporum gypseum, Trichophyton mentagrophytes, Microsporum audouinii. bacteria and Microsporum proteus. Among them, Microsporum canis is the most common, followed by Microsporum gypseum, Trichophyton mentagrophytes and Microsporum audouinii. Microsporum proteus is only found in a few countries, such as Australia, and its incidence is low.

Symptoms of fungal skin diseases in dogs

1. Microsporum canis:
It is found all over the world, and more than 70% of canine ringworm cases are caused by It causes infection in a variety of animals and humans. The main lesions are small round-like scabs (ringworm) formed on the skin surface. This focal scab skin lesion can appear on any part of the dog, but is most common on the ears, face, neck and tail. This type of lesions, which are mainly skin scabs, are often not accompanied by hair loss. When there are not many lesions, especially when they occur in long-haired dogs, they are often not discovered. Microsporum canis mainly causes tinea capitis in humans.
2. Microsporum gypsum:
It lives in soil all over the world and can cause skin mycosis in dogs and other animals and humans. The onset of this disease is rapid and the damage is severe. The site of occurrence is similar to that of Microsporum. In addition to round pimples, it sometimes causes large-area skin lesions. The coat of the lesion falls off, and dandruff and scabs appear. When secondary bacterial infection occurs, exudative suppuration occurs locally. It can last for months or even years after it becomes chronic.
3. Microsporum audouinii and Trichophyton mentagrophytes:
These two species of fungi cause rare skin mycosis in dogs. These two molds can also infect people. The former mainly causes tinea capitis in children, and the latter is the main pathogen of athlete's foot in the United States. Dogs usually become infected through contact with sick people.

Infection routes for fungal skin diseases in dogs

1. Molds have extremely strong vitality and resistance. They can parasitize animals and plants or be spread in the air with dust, giving them many opportunities for transmission.
2. Skin mold enters the skin through scratches.
3. Infection is mainly through direct contact, but indirect infection can also be caused by contact with contaminated utensils, combs, scissors, mats, etc.
4. Animals and humans and dogs can be infected with each other.

Prevention and treatment of fungal skin diseases in dogs

1. Some skin mycoses tend to be self-limiting diseases. Although they are not treated, they can recover on their own.
2. For early-stage sick dogs that are treated promptly, local treatment with topical drugs can be effective, but chronic and severe skin mold can be effective.The disease must be treated with oral medications at the same time.
3. External drug therapy: first wash off the dandruff and scabs, clean the shed and broken coat, and then apply one of the following ointments: clotrimazole ointment, compound salicylic acid ointment, and minconazole Ointment or eleven dilute acid ointment, other effective patent medicines, such as tinea net, etc. can also be used. 1-2 times a day until completely healed.
4. Oral drug therapy: Flavomycin is the drug of choice, with a daily dosage of 20 to 40 mg per kilogram of body weight. Take once or twice orally for 4-8 weeks. Mix this medicine with fatty food to promote absorption. It is prohibited for pregnant dogs to avoid causing fetal malformations. Another oral drug is ketoconazole, 10 mg/kg of body weight per day, taken orally three times for 2 to 8 weeks. This medicine is irritating to the stomach, and some dogs may develop allergic reactions such as itching. If the reaction is severe, you should stop taking it and switch to another drug.
5. There are no special preventive measures for skin mycosis. General epidemic prevention work should be carried out. Detect sick dogs early and isolate and treat them promptly. At the same time, pay attention to strengthening nutrition and good management. The feed should contain enough protein, and attention should be paid to supplementing various vitamins, minerals and trace rare elements to enhance the body's resistance. Pay attention to grooming the coat, keeping it clean and preventing scratches.
6. Pay attention to public health and prevent the spread of the disease from dogs to humans and from humans to dogs. Various skin mycoses in dogs can infect people, especially children who are most susceptible to molds. They often cause tinea capitis and tinea capitis due to contact with sick dogs. Dog families should pay attention to this. At the same time, care should be taken not to infect the owner's ringworm to the dog.