Parasitic and Fungal Skin Diseases in Pets: Overview an

Part 1: Skin Diseases Caused by External Parasites

Canine and feline skin diseases are often triggered by external parasites such as fleas, lice, mites, and ticks. These parasites typically reside on the surface of the pet's skin, with ticks sometimes penetrating deeper layers. The skin conditions they cause usually manifest as itching, redness, hair loss, and even chewing at the affected areas.

Here are the specific symptoms of canine and feline infections with fleas, lice, mites, and ticks:

1. Flearelated Skin Disease

Canine and feline infections with fleas are primarily transmitted through direct contact, such as rolling in tall grass or playing in cluttered corners. Fleas can quickly multiply once they find a host, leading to a fullscale infestation in the pet's living environment.

How to Identify Fleas on Cats and Dogs?

Fleas are not hostspecific and can infest many animals. To determine if your pet has fleas, you can observe them with the naked eye, as fleas are small but visible. Flea feces, which are black and resemble tiny grains, can also be found on the pet's skin or bedding.

In addition, you can identify fleas by observing the symptoms they cause. Fleas cause intense itching, leading pets to scratch and bite at the affected areas. Dogs, for example, may chew on their tails, as this area is moist and a favorite spot for fleas. Fleas can also cause hair loss, dry hair, and red spots on the skin, which may crust over or develop into "coffee grounds"like particles. If these particles are placed in water, they turn into a bloodred color. Fleas can cause excessive blood loss, leading to pale gums and, in severe cases, anemia. If there are many fleas, pets may become anxious and even lose their appetite due to the constant itching.

Can Fleas on Pets Transmit to Humans?

Fleas can transmit to humans, attaching to the skin and feeding on blood, causing harm to the human body.

As animals with low body resistance, dogs and cats are at greater risk when infected with fleas. Fleas can cause malnutrition and anemia by feeding on their blood, leading to a weakened body and decreased immunity. Fleas also carry viruses and parasites, and if accidentally ingested by the pet, they can lead to infections and internal parasites, which are both fatal to the pet's health. Cats that are particularly fond of grooming are at a higher risk of contracting diseases through fleas.

Symptoms of Canine and Feline Flearelated Skin Disease:

Fleas can cause direct harm to the skin of dogs and cats, leading to symptoms such as hair loss, itching, and redness. Pets with longterm flea infestations are more susceptible to skin diseases, as fleas can damage the skin's protective layer, reducing its resistance. Constant scratching can also lead to secondary bacterial infections, causing further damage to the skin and potentially leading to skin inflammation.

Treatment for Canine and Feline Flearelated Skin Disease:

To eliminate fleas from dogs and cats, you can use external deworming methods. Common flea powders and general insecticides can kill adult fleas, but flea eggs are highly resistant to drugs, so repeated treatment is necessary. You can also use avermectin transdermal solution to eliminate fleas from dogs and cats, which not only eliminates fleas but also has a certain effect on internal parasites such as roundworms and hookworms.

Usage and Dosage: For external deworming, the dosage is 0.1ml per 1kg of pet weight. After confirming that the pet's fur is dry, part the fur and expose the skin. Break the tip of the dropper, squeeze the dropper according to the dosage, and then squeeze the medication onto the pet's back, spine, and other areas that the pet cannot lick. Deworming should be done about once every 30 days.

Do not bathe the pet for about 7 days before and after external deworming to avoid affecting the efficacy of the medication. In daily life, you can also use the Fuananjian Shampoo to bathe the pet, which has a certain auxiliary therapeutic effect on dandruff and itching symptoms, promoting healthy skin growth and the repair of damaged skin and hair. However, it must be rinsed clean, and the pet's fur must be dried to avoid a moist environment that promotes bacterial growth.

While external deworming, you should also clean and deworm the pet's living environment, as fleas may hide in corners or the pet's nest. If fleas in the environment are not eliminated, simply deworming the pet externally will not be very effective, so pet owners must take a doublepronged approach. Moreover, when pet owners find fleas while grooming their pets, they should not directly crush the fleas, as the eggs and viruses inside the fleas may burst out. The correct method is to place the fleas in detergent and kill them.

2. Lice

Lice are similar to fleas, and many pet owners may confuse them. However, they are also easy to distinguish. Lice are yellowishwhite in color and are commonly found on the fur of cats and dogs in areas such as the ears, neck, and anal region. They are usually transmitted through contact with infected items, such as pet store communal combs and collars. Fleas, on the other hand, are black and jump around in various corners.

Lice and fleas can both cause dandruff, hair loss, and itching in cats and dogs. However, the difference is that fleas can cause allergic dermatitis in cats and dogs, while lice can cause skin diseases such as suppurative dermatitis. Generally, if pet owners do not pay attention to the cleanliness of their pets' bodies and they become very dirty, even developing an unpleasant smell, these are very appealing to lice.

Symptoms of Lice on Cats and Dogs:

There are two types of lice that can cause skin diseases in cats and dogs: chewing lice and bloodsucking lice. The differences between the two are hidden in their names. Chewing lice feed on the fur and dandruff of cats and dogs and do not feed on their blood, while bloodsucking lice specifically feed on their blood. The dog chewing louse can also be an intermediate host for tapeworms. Cats and dogs infected with lice will experience symptoms such as hair loss and itching. In severe cases, they may also suffer from decreased appetite, malnutrition, and even secondary skin diseases such as eczema, papules, vesicles, and pustules.

Winter is the season when lice are prevalent, and cats and dogs have thick fur, which is very conducive to the reproduction of lice. In the summer, if cats and dogs do not bathe for a long time, they are also prone to lice, leading to skin disease symptoms.

How to Eliminate Lice from Cats and Dogs?

Nonpolyroline drops are an external deworming medication for fleas and lice and can effectively eliminate lice from cats and dogs. It can quickly penetrate the skin and is not afraid of being rained on.

Specific Dosage: According to the instructions, gently squeeze the tube to apply the medication evenly on the pet's skin surface and let it dry naturally. For areas infected with fleas, apply the medication once a month, and put on an Elizabethan collar on the pet after applying the medication to prevent them from licking. If the pet licks the medication, it may cause temporary drooling, which is usually caused by the alcohol content in the medication. Note that puppies and kittens under 8 weeks of age should not use this drop, and medication should be used cautiously under the advice of a doctor.

In addition to regular external deworming, pet owners should also pay attention to the cleanliness of their pets' bodies. When taking them out, try to prevent them from rolling in the grass or getting too close to unfamiliar pets, as they may become infected with lice. Lice can also cause significant harm to the skin of cats and dogs. If the lice inside carry some internal parasites, this will increase the risk of the pet contracting internal parasites, so pet owners must pay attention to the delousing of their pets.

3. Miterelated Skin Disease

Mites belong to the same phylum as spiders but are very small, invisible to the naked eye. They usually attach to the surface of the pet's skin and can cause symptoms such as hair loss, dandruff, and redness. The affected areas may also have symptoms such as skin thickening and bleeding. The most common mites that cats and dogs are infected with are scabies mites, demodex mites, and otodectes mites. The specific symptoms of canine and feline skin diseases caused by these mites are as follows:

(1) Scabies Mites

Scabies mites are more common in puppies and kittens and usually appear on the bridge of the nose, cheeks, ear roots, and armpits. As the mites continue to reproduce, they gradually spread throughout the body. The early symptoms of scabies mite infection in cats and dogs may be just redness of the skin, followed by redness and swelling, and gradually forming blisters. After the blisters burst, they will exude a sticky yellowish oillike discharge, which dries and forms scaly crusts on the skin surface. Hair loss is also very severe. The affected areas will be very itchy, especially when cats and dogs lie in their nests to sleep, and this itching will be more intense, often causing them to have difficulty falling asleep.

(2) Demodex Mites

Demodex mites are very persistent and are more common in longhaired cats and dogs. They are divided into two types: scaly and pustular. Scaly demodex mites are more common on the eyelids and lower eyelids, forehead, lips, neck, elbows, and toes of cats and dogs. After the fur is lost, the boundary is clear, and even alopecia may occur, accompanied by mild redness and dandruff. The skin may become rough and cracked, and small boils may appear. Pustular demodex mites are more common on the inner side of the thighs and lower abdomen of cats and dogs. Initially, they appear as red papules, which gradually transform into pustules and emit an odor, accompanied by itching. If a large number of demodex mites parasitize the skin of cats and dogs, they may cause systemic skin infection, severe hair loss, and even alopecia. The boils that break out may also become ulcers. If demodex mites are left unchecked, they may lead to bacterial infections or even cause the death of cats and dogs.

(3) Otodectes Mites

Otodectes mites are ear canal parasites that are usually caused by moist and unclean ear canals. Cats and dogs have ear fur that can easily accumulate dust and dirt. The ear canal also secretes a large amount of oil, which attracts dust and moisture, making the ear canal more moist and causing otodectes mites. Otodectes mites look similar to earwax and are dark brown, but they are usually clumped together and cause itching. Cats and dogs may constantly scratch their ears or shake their heads vigorously, or even shake out ear mite clumps. If otodectes mites lead to secondary bacterial infections, they may cause suppurative otitis media, otitis media, or even encephalitis, which can affect the central nervous system of cats and dogs.

Treatment for Canine and Feline Miterelated Skin Disease:

1. Treatment for scabies and demodex mites can first use avermectin transdermal solution for deworming, and then use Funuoen Skin Spray to treat skin damage. This spray can treat skin problems caused by mites in cats and dogs, mainly using silver ion components to achieve antibacterial and antiseptic effects, prevent skin infection, and promote healthy repair.

Usage and Dosage: Before use, remove the fur from the affected area of the pet and then spray directly on the skin, with the dosage being just enough to make the skin moist. Use it 35 times a day for 57 days, and it will be more effective if used with vitamins.

2. Treatment for otodectes mites requires the use of canine and felinespecific ear drops, such as lactate isothiazolinone solution. This ear drop can treat various diseases in cats and dogs, such as otodectes mites and otitis media, and has the effects of antipruritic, antibacterial, antiinflammatory, and antiseptic, and is not irritating. It can be used by puppies, pregnant pets, and adult pets.

Usage and Dosage: Before use, clean the external ear canal of the pet with a medical cotton swab, then aim the tip of the dropper at the ear and drop 23 drops of ear drops, gently massage the ear to make the medication evenly coated, and finally remove the dirt with a new cotton swab and wipe it clean. This ear drop can not only treat otodectes mites but also prevent them.

Another very important part of mite treatment is cleaning the home environment. Items such as the pet's nest and items they frequently touch are very likely to harbor mites and must be cleaned and disinfected in a timely manner, and it is best to expose them to the sun to dry. Pet owners should also pay attention to the cleanliness of pet supplies, such as the pet's clothes and bedding, which should be aired out regularly to effectively kill mites. Pets should also be exposed to the sun more often.

If pets have the habit of sleeping with their owners, the owners' beds should also be changed regularly, preferably once a week, which is good for the skin health of both the owner and the pet. A moist environment is more conducive to the proliferation of mites, so pet owners must ensure that the pet's living environment is dry and tidy, and the indoor environment should be wellventilated.

4. Tick

Ticks are easier to identify than the other three types of external parasites because they are about the size of a grain of rice, remain attached to a specific area of the pet's skin for a long time, and do not move easily. Pet owners can easily see them when grooming their pets. Ticks feed on the blood of cats and dogs, causing their bodies to swell significantly, sometimes even 100 times their original size. Generally, female ticks lay 2,5004,000 eggs and then die. Their lifespan is usually three years. Spring and autumn are the peak seasons for tick activity, especially in hot summer, but in the south, ticks can also be active in winter. Ticks are highly resistant to the environment and very resistant to hunger, and they can survive for two years without eating or drinking.

Symptoms of Ticks on Cats and Dogs:

The ticks that parasitize the skin of cats and dogs mainly include flower ticks, glassy ticks, hard ticks, fanhead ticks, blood ticks, and sharpedged ticks, among which flower ticks can also parasitize the skin of humans. After being bitten by ticks, humans may experience symptoms such as fever, malaise, headache, fatigue, and loss of appetite. Children infected with ticks may be at risk of death.

Cats and dogs that are bitten by ticks for a long time may experience symptoms such as local bleeding and ulcers on the skin, and may also develop swelling, inflammation, and hyperkeratosis. If the condition is severe, cats and dogs may also experience symptoms such as fever, vomiting, and even organ failure, which can lead to death. Since ticks feed on the blood of animals, they also carry various viruses from animals. Compared to the harm caused by ticks to the skin of cats and dogs, the viruses inside the ticks are obviously more threatening. Diseases such as Babesiosis, Anaplasmosis, Spirochetal, and Rickettsia can all be transmitted to pets and humans through ticks, causing major diseases and posing a significant threat to the health of pets and humans.

Treatment for Canine and Feline Tick Disease:

When removing ticks, pet owners cannot simply pull them out of the pet's skin. Instead, they should first drop alcohol on the tick's head, wait a few minutes, and the tick will die and fall off naturally. If the tick is still attached to the pet's skin, pet owners can use tweezers to pull it out, but they should not directly crush the tick with their hands, as the viruses and bacteria inside the tick may adhere to the owner's hands and potentially enter the human body through the mouth if not careful. Pet owners can directly burn the tick with fire.

After removing the tick, pet owners should disinfect the skin where the tick was bitten to prevent skin infection and secondary scabies, and use avermectin transdermal solution for secondary deworming.

To prevent cats and dogs from contracting external parasites and developing skin problems, pet owners should deworm their pets regularly, usually once a month. Do not bathe the pet for about 7 days before and after deworming, as this may affect the efficacy of the medication. In fact, most external parasites of cats and dogs come from the environment, so to prevent them from contracting external parasites, it is necessary to strictly control their living environment and activity objects, and do a good job of daily cleaning and hygiene management of their bodies and living environments.

Part 2: Skin Diseases Caused by Fungal Infections

Canine and feline skin diseases caused by fungal infections are commonly known as "ringworm," also known as "cat ringworm" and "dog ringworm," which is a dermatophytosis caused by fungi侵入 the skin and hair of cats and dogs. The most common cause of ringworm in cats and dogs is infection with Microsporum canis. As the fungal infection worsens, Microsporum canis becomes a刺激性干燥圆形斑疹。

In fact,