Dog Skin Fungal Infection: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatm

The primary cause of fungal skin diseases in dogs is Microsporum canis, although other fungi such as Trichophyton verrucosum, Trichophyton mentagrophytes, and Trichophyton schoenleinii can also be responsible. These skin fungi are incredibly resilient, surviving for months in sunlight or temperatures below 0°C. Fungi found in the dander of affected dogs, which can cling to kennels, equipment, and poles, can maintain their infectious power for up to five years.

These fungi can attack a dog's fur and skin, altering its appearance and leading to inflammatory and damaged skin. Dogs with fungal skin diseases often exhibit redness all over their body, with numerous nodules appearing on the back, neck, behind the ears, beneath the lower lip, and at the base of the tail. The tail may have crusts, and when these crusts are peeled away, ulcers and pusfilled discharge are visible, accompanied by a foul odor.

Treatment involves several steps:

1. Topical Treatment: Remove the affected skin scales and crusts from the dog, trim away any broken fur, and then apply antifungal ointments such as Funginax Ointment, Clotrimazole Ointment, or Miconazole Ointment to the affected areas. These ointments should be applied 1 to 2 times daily.

2. Immunization: Administer fungal vaccines intramuscularly, with a dosage of 0.1 mL/kg. To prevent secondary infections, use cephalosporin drugs like Cef拉德辛, at a dosage of 6 mg/kg, administered subcutaneously once a day for three days. Additionally, use antifungal shampoos to bathe the affected dog.

3. Oral Medication: Give the dog Antifungal Tablets (Terbinafine hydrochloride) orally, or crush the tablets and mix them with food. The recommended dosage is 10 to 20 mg per kilogram of body weight, with double the amount for severe cases or firsttime users. Continue treatment for two weeks.

4. Acrisul Oral: Administer at a dosage of 12.5 mg/kg body weight, twice daily. For difficulttocontrol cases, double the dosage. Treatment duration is approximately 5 to 7 days or 48 hours after clinical symptoms improve. For chronic inflammation, such as chronic dermatitis, the treatment duration can be extended to about 28 days.

5. Vitamin Supplementation: Provide the dog with Vitamin E and a multivitamin B complex, either orally or mixed with food, twice daily for 14 days.

By following these comprehensive treatment measures, we can help our furry friends recover from fungal skin diseases and return to their healthy, happy selves.