Types of fungus in dogs, treatment and prevention of fungal infections. Infectious fungal diseases of dogs

Some types of fungus that animals suffer from are dangerous to humans. Therefore, having noticed a skin disease in a pet, it is imperative to take tests with him in the hospital for a fungus, and undergo treatment when the diagnosis is confirmed.

Only an experienced veterinarian will be able to make a correct diagnosis and prescribe the optimal treatment for a particular animal, therefore this article is for informational purposes only and cannot be used as a guide to action.

Fungus in dogs and animals causes, signs, prognosis, varieties, types, symptoms

The first sign of the disease when infected with microsporum is itching, the animal begins to itch. Then, in places where the fungus is damaged, bald spots appear on the wool, the hairs break off.

With a disease caused by trichophotosis, bald patches appear on the surface of the skin. Pus begins to stand out, crusts form. Hair does not grow back after treatment.

Scab most often affects the animal in the area of \u200b\u200bthe ears and paws. After her, bald patches also never grow. It looks like rounded bald patches with gray crusts and a specific smell.

Fungus in dogs and cats, what is it called, from dampness, analysis, microsporum, malassezia

In another way, the fungus in dogs and cats is called lichen. It appears not because of dampness, but because of pathogenic microorganisms - fungi.

A disease occurs after contact with an infected animal, with poor hygiene, improper diet, weakened immunity as a result of diseases or hormone treatment.

After treatment of a fungal disease caused by microsporum or malassezia, the animal's hair is completely restored, because the hair follicles remain intact. The type of fungus that the animal has become infected with is determined by the doctor at the clinic after testing.

How to cure and how to treat a fungus in a dog on the skin, muzzle, paw, back, stomach

The dog is treated mainly with vaccines such as Polivak, Microderm, Vakderm. These are injections that are injected two or three times. The weakened animal is treated with antifungal antibiotics (Griseofulvin or Nizoral). During treatment, it is necessary to follow a diet, as it is long and puts a heavy burden on the liver.

Ear fungus in dogs home treatment drugs and medicines

When confirming the diagnosis, it is necessary to burn all the old bedding of the animal, wash the place where it sleeps with water with the addition of disinfectants. Keep your dog away from children and other animals.

It is necessary to treat the affected areas with sulfuric ointment in disposable gloves. If the dog has long hair, it will have to be cut short. The most effective vaccine for treatment is Microderm. Treatment should be comprehensive, including, in addition to the vaccine, antibiotics and diet, the treatment of affected areas with fungicide preparations, healing showers and shampoos.

Is the fungus in dogs contagious to humans, can it be transmitted to humans, is it dangerous or not

Most fungal infections in dogs are contagious to humans. It is dangerous if quarantine is not observed for a sick animal.

In the absence of treatment, the bright symptoms of the disease are erased, it passes into the follicular form. Such an animal becomes very dangerous to others.

Fungus in dogs in which hair falls out, turns red

Wool falls out with most types of fungus. The animal experiences constant itching and scratches the affected area. The skin becomes inflamed and red. Timely treatment helps to stop the spread of the disease to other parts of the animal's body.

Fungus in dogs treatment with folk remedies

If you don’t want to get sick with your pet, it’s better not to self-medicate. Some traditional healers smear animals with iodine. But if you are not indifferent to the fate of the pet, take tests at the clinic, and follow all the doctor's recommendations.

A fungus in dogs, or the disease dermatophytosis, is an ailment of infectious etiology that requires seeking veterinary help. Not a single pet is insured against this disease, regardless of the conditions of detention. It is important for owners to identify the disease in time, based on its symptoms and primary signs.

Photo of a fungus in dogs

There are many types of fungi, but only a few of them are the causative agents of dangerous infections in the body of dogs. Infection can occur during contact with another animal, walking on the grass on which pathogens are located. Even a dog that goes to the tray can become infected, as fungi often enter the house with the owners' shoes.

In addition to pathogenic species, there are also conditionally pathogenic fungal pathogens. They can always be in the animal's body, but the dog becomes ill only under certain circumstances - weak immunity, hypersensitivity, etc. These types of fungi are not contagious, they live on the skin, but do not cause harm.

At risk for dermatophysis disease are young individuals, dogs that have undergone a disease or surgery, have problems with the immune system, animals with a tendency to and diseases.

Factors contributing to the development of the disease are an unbalanced diet and high humidity. The growth of the fungus is enhanced on the skin, which does not receive enough air, covered with matted hair and a layer of dirt. Fungi also multiply rapidly in dogs that are washed very often, as this procedure eliminates sebum and reduces the protection of the skin from external pathogens. In addition, the body of the animal cannot resist the disease after taking drugs that suppress the immune system.

It is possible to identify many more factors that contribute to fungal diseases, but even in their absence, there is a risk for the animal to become infected with pathogenic fungi.

The main signs of infection with a fungus

Until the origin of the causative agent of this condition is clarified, there is a risk of infecting humans and other animals.

Among the main symptoms of the fungus are the following:

the disease begins to develop from one to three small spots;
from the places of the lesion, in some cases it is as if sheared, leaving a small length;
the resulting spots can be of the same size for a long time or grow, depending on the type of pathogen and the strength of the protective mechanisms of immunity;
the skin at the site of the lesion becomes gray or redden;
if you look closely, you can find a white or grayish coating on the hair follicle;
the site of the lesion is covered with flakes or exfoliating scales, which may fall off the skin or hold on tightly.

Without timely therapy, the size of alopecia increases. The fungus begins to grow into the deeper layers, which provokes all sorts of complications. In the severe stage of the lesion, the dog completely loses its coat, which is not restored for a long time.

Often, the fungus affects the pet's paws, in which case inflammation and cracks are observed in the interdigital space and on the pads. The nails can also be affected, then they become yellow and twisted. It hurts the dog to step on his paw, he begins to limp.

Treatment of fungus in dogs

Most fungal infections are accompanied by itching, and its degree depends on the type of pathogen. In some cases, the dog may scratch the skin until it bleeds. In this case, experts recommend giving an antipruritic drug, such as Stop Itching, and using a protective accessory - a collar or a blanket, before visiting the veterinarian, since skin injuries caused by a fungus provoke secondary infection.

Appeared wounds should be treated with an external agent that has an antiseptic effect. Miramistin is suitable from a person’s first aid kit, or you need to purchase Migstim at a veterinary pharmacy.

During a visit to a specialist, it should be clarified where the skin was treated with the drug, since tissues from these areas are not suitable for analysis.

If the fungus affects the paw pads, it is necessary to protect the pet's paws from moisture. During the walk, you can use special protective shoes, after washing the paws, dry them with a hairdryer. Do not let your dog chew on areas affected by the fungus.

Chronic fungal infection

Prolonged infection proceeds more quietly. Shedding of wool is periodically observed, the coat grows dull, often tangled and does not even correct the situation.

The owners are not aware of the true causes of the condition, attributing it to a seasonal reaction to detergents. Standard measures - course, enhanced nutrition, change, etc. do not help.

In some cases, pets form small areas without hair - above the ears, near the nose, on the elbows. The skin may look quite healthy or have a slight gray tint. It is quite difficult to see such flaws in long hair.

Such processes can occur when the body's resistance to this type of fungi is insufficient, or the fungus is conditionally pathogenic, not threatening serious consequences. But at any moment, with concomitant factors, it can begin to progress. To find out if the level of skin fungus is within the normal range, special skin scrapings are taken for analysis.

Canine Fungus Diagnosis and Treatment

First of all, the veterinarian shines through the coat with a special lamp, under the rays of which the fungus begins to glow greenish. But you should know that almost half of the species of mushrooms do not glow. This method does not provide information about the pathogen, but only confirms its presence.

To prescribe an effective treatment, a full-fledged diagnosis is required, which allows determining the type of fungus, the number of spores, and determining sensitivity to certain drugs.

Quite often, a fungal infection accompanies allergic manifestations, and treatment gives only a temporary result. An analysis that determines the allergic status of a pet will help here. Identification of both the allergen and its exclusion will solve the problem with the fungus.

A biochemical blood test will allow you to assess the general condition of the animal's body and find out which organs are failing.

Given all the data received, the doctor will be able to prescribe adequate treatment the first time. This will help to avoid long-term useless therapy with a constant change of drugs.

With minor skin lesions, ointments are prescribed - Mycozolon, Yam, Clotrimazole, etc. If the fungus affects large areas of the skin, external antifungal drugs should not be used externally, since this group of agents is toxic. In this case, detergents are used, such as Nizoral, Imaverol.

In addition to external preparations, veterinarians prescribe medications in tablets or injections. Fluconazole is especially effective in the treatment of fungi. Help is also provided to the animal's immune system in the form of immunostimulants and modulators. It is also recommended to take hepatoprotective agents.

If the identified fungus turns out to be contagious, additional measures will need to be taken: handle with gloves, and, if possible, isolate the animal, excluding its contact with children and other pets. But you should visit the dog so that he does not feel lonely and does not experience stress.

Doctors warn that self-treatment can lead to disastrous results. Since some drugs can significantly increase the resistance of the fungus, in this case it will be necessary to treat the fungus in the dog for a longer time.

Prevention of fungal infections

As noted, it is difficult for a fungal pathogen to develop in a healthy, strong organism. Therefore, it is important, providing good nutrition and appropriate conditions. During the time it is worth avoiding the habitats of stray animals.

They differ from fungal diseases in low efficiency and in some cases can cause complications, so they are used only in exceptional cases, when the rest of the therapy is powerless.

But there is no single way to exclude the infection of a pet with pathogenic fungi. In this case, it is important to identify the disease as early as possible and seek qualified help.

Content:

Microscopic fungi cause dermatophytoses in dogs of all breeds and ages. Micromycetes are ubiquitous, but in most circumstances do not cause any harm to dogs. It's about the dog. She has a weakened immune defense from birth, the problem appeared as a result of an infectious disease, or the animal is predisposed to mycoses.

The reasons

A harmless microbe under standard conditions becomes aggressive not only if the dog's immune defenses are weakened, but also when a favorable habitat is created for it. There are the following factors that contribute to the occurrence of dermatophytosis in a dog:

Weakened immunity.
Favorable conditions for the fungus.
Elimination of antagonist microorganisms.

Weakened immunity

To reduce the body's defenses, the following conditions are required:

Micromycetes multiply rapidly in a humid environment, especially if the coat on the dog has fallen off. Under the tangles it is warm and there is little air, and these are the most favorable conditions for the reproduction of fungi. Moisture, high temperature and microscopic defects on the skin also contribute to the spread of microorganisms. If a dog is overwhelmed by fleas or subcutaneous mites, it itches violently and tears the skin, allowing fungi to grow and multiply with impunity.

Elimination of antagonist microorganisms

Occurs with the excessive use of antibiotics and antiphlogistics. Oppressed bacteria - opponents of micromycetes, so the latter multiply rapidly.

Symptoms

Most dog diseases are caused by Trichophyton and Microsporum fungi. Pathology begins with the appearance of several small hairless islands. They can be found on the paws, head, behind the ears, on the nose. Exposed skin turns red or grey. The hair roots are covered with a whitish mycelium of the fungus. The skin peels off, scales form, which exfoliate and crumble.

Gradually bald areas grow, merging into extensive formations. The skin becomes rough, thickened, covered with tubercles. If micromycetes have eaten the hair follicles, the animal develops lifelong patches of baldness.

Fungi grow into the deeper layers of the skin, causing itching of varying intensity. The dog combs strongly, the injured surface is seeded with conditionally pathogenic microflora, suppuration occurs.

Diagnostics

A quick cure is impossible without an accurate diagnosis. The use of external antimycotics can cause some improvement, but then the disease returns. Wood's lamp diagnosis provides little information, detecting only fungi from the genus Microsporum. Identification of the pathogen occurs with a complete analysis of the skin scraping material. There is a possibility that the contagion is staphylococcus, and the fungus is present in the form of a secondary infection. A complete analysis involves the following studies:

Bacteriological cultures from blood.
Allergen test.
Detailed biochemical analysis of urine and blood.

Treatment

Standard schemes for the treatment of fungal infections have been developed. They involve the use of symptomatic external agents until the results of laboratory tests are obtained. Based on the acquired data, the therapeutic strategy is adjusted.

If several local bald patches are found, fungicidal ointments are used. If the affected area is large, the use of antimycotic liniments is a danger to the health of the dog. All of them have side effects. Therefore, shampoos are used, as well as sprays and solutions. Skin preparations have a good therapeutic effect, which has a temporary effect. With large-scale fungal infections, oral and parenteral antimycotics cannot be dispensed with.

Long-term use of antimycotics is accompanied by increased stress on the body, therefore, immunomodulators, hepatoprotectors and general restorative drugs are used.

If the ears are affected by the fungus, they are cleaned 2-3 times a day. After the treatment site dries, Nystatin, Clotrimazole or Thiabendazole ointments are applied.

List of drugs

The following medicines are in demand:

Ointments:

Mycozone. Medical drug. Destroys pathological fungi and bacterial microflora. When applied twice to the skin, the treatment lasts for several months.
Yam. It has astringent and antiseptic action. When applied twice within a week, the development of inflammation stops and the hair begins to grow.
Clotrimazole (Fungin). A positive effect is achieved by three daily treatments of the lesions for 2-5 weeks.

Sprays:

Fungin-Forte. The aerosol is sprayed over the inflamed areas 1-2 times a day for 15 days.
Lamisil. Medical drug. When applied twice, the treatment lasts a week. If there is no improvement, the medicine is canceled.

Shampoos.

Nizoral. Medical facility. Use for small dogs (lighter than 10 kg) or puppies. Moisten the affected area with a 1% aqueous solution.

Solutions:

Imaverol, Zoniton. The preparations are diluted with 50 times the amount of water and washed, rubbing against the coat, or bathed. Long-haired animals are trimmed. 4 treatments are carried out every 3 days.

Oral antimycotics:

Griseofulvin. The course of treatment is 3-5 weeks with a double daily intake. The drug has side effects. In addition to it, Intraconazole, Irunin, Ketaconazole, Fluconazole are in demand.

At the direction of the doctor, immunomodulators, general restorative drugs, heart remedies, and hepatoprotectors are used.

Prevention

Preventive measures consist in compliance with zoohygienic requirements. It is necessary to prevent contact of the dog with stray relatives.

Adequate nutrition should be provided with professionally prepared ready-made feeds. Timely immunize the dog against infectious diseases. Antimycotic vaccines produced in Russia are ineffective and can be used in treatment when other drugs do not have the expected result.

There are many schemes for ridding dogs of fungal infections on the network, but unqualified self-treatment can cause irreparable damage to the pet's health, so contacting a veterinarian is necessary.

Mycoses or fungal infections in animals are most often found on the skin. There are types of fungal microorganisms that enter the internal organs and tissue structures, leading to dysfunction. In some cases, in the absence of timely and adequate treatment, lead to the death of the dog. The occurrence of systemic fungal infections is rarely diagnosed, but the fungus on the paws of a dog is a frequent occurrence that both pet owners and veterinary specialists have to deal with.

(fungal infections) can affect pets at any age and under even the best conditions. Absolutely completely protect your pet from the penetration of fungal organisms is impossible. Treating fungal infections, especially on the paws, is quite problematic, but quite possible. It is only important not to miss the beginning of the development of pathology and timely seek qualified help from a veterinarian.

There are many factors that provoke the onset of the development of dermatomycosis - contact with other infected animals during a walk, contact with rodents infected with a fungus, improper diet, weakened immunity, and some others.

The main factors that contribute to the development of foot fungus in dogs are:

improper diet;

increased air humidity;

improper hygiene- fungi multiply where there is not enough air access on matted wool or covered with a layer of dirt. In addition, frequent washing of paws can also cause the development of pathogenic microflora, as natural sebum is eliminated, skin protection is reduced;

taking medications- some types of drugs reduce the body's defenses, it cannot adequately resist a fungal infection.

Read also: Stomach ulcers are becoming more common in dogs

In addition to the causative agents of pathogenic mycoses, there is a conditionally pathogenic microflora. It is constantly on the skin of the pet. But with increased sensitivity of the body or reduced immunity, the development of ringworm begins.

Important! The risk group for dermatomycoses is puppies and young dogs that have undergone surgical interventions.

And it is also necessary to pay special attention to the health of the pet, which has a pronounced tendency to allergic-type reactions and skin diseases.

Symptoms of a fungal infection

In most cases, the fungus on the paws of a dog begins to develop in autumn and spring, when it is slushy and damp outside. In regions where constantly wet summers and warm winters, ringworm is recorded by veterinarians all year round.

The onset of the disease is characterized by the fact that the dog begins to intensively lick its paws, sometimes nibbling. When walking, the pet may limp or tighten its limbs.

When examined at home, the owner may note the following symptoms and changes characteristic of a fungal infection:

foliation of claws, change in their color and structure;
peeling on the paw pads (bleeding wounds and cracks are possible);
redness of the fingers;
edematous phenomena on the paws in the region of the metatarsus and fingers;
pronounced baldness of skin areas;
hyperemia of the skin in the area between the fingers;
peeling and detachment of the epidermis.

Note! Having found one of the above signs in your dog, it is necessary to contact a veterinary clinic as soon as possible for further advice and treatment.

With advanced, not detected in a timely manner, dermatomycosis on the paws, complete baldness of the animal is possible, a change in gait due to eternal lameness. Gnawing places on the paws with colonies of fungi, the dog swallows harmful pathogenic microorganisms. Once in the digestive system, the external fungal infection becomes internal. It is more difficult to diagnose and treat.

Important to remember, which is not significant at first glance, ringworm, can cause an abscess or blood poisoning.

There are varieties of yeast fungi that are on the skin of the animal all the time, without having a harmful effect on the body until there are factors that provoke the growth and increased reproduction of the fungus. Such microorganisms are fungi of the genus Malassezia.

Read also: Myasthenia gravis in dogs: general information, diagnosis and treatment

With a strong decrease in the immune defense of the dog's body, pathogens cause skin flushing and peeling at the site of localization. In addition, there is an unpleasant odor, oily seborrhea, brown dandruff and an invariable companion of all fungal infections - itching.

Note! Fungi of the genus Malassezia are not dangerous to other pets and are not terrible for humans.

Diagnosis of the disease

On examination by a veterinarian, a specialist must enlighten the pet's coat with a special lamp. Under the rays of such lighting, the fungal infection luminesces with green light. This is not the most informative method, therefore, in order to make an accurate diagnosis and further prescribe adequate treatment, it is necessary to conduct other studies.

It is important to determine the type of fungal microorganisms, their number, rate of development and sensitivity to drug antifungal drugs.

The main diagnostic methods are:

Donating blood for bacterial culture is a necessary measure in order to exclude the presence of secondary microflora.

Delivery of biological materials - blood and urine for a detailed biochemical analysis. With the help of this study, it is possible to identify problems of internal organs, hidden chronic diseases and weakened immunity.

After receiving reliable data, a qualified specialist can easily determine which treatment regimen to apply in a particular clinical case.

Note! It is extremely important to find out from a specialist whether the fungus is contagious to other animals or humans. In case of a positive response, it is necessary to isolate the dog for the duration of treatment in a separate room, but in such a way that the animal does not feel stress.

When processing a four-legged friend, you will need to wear special protective gloves. Fungal pathogenic microflora adapts extremely easily to medications and can change. Incorrectly selected therapy makes infectious agents more resistant, and treatment is delayed for a long time.

There are many types of fungus in dogs. Some of them are caused by the pathological growth of normal microflora (a set of fungal organisms) on the skin, mucous membranes and internal organs. Weakened immunity after a severe or protracted illness, the state of pregnancy, the early age of puppies, the period after vaccination are the conditions most conducive to the growth of mycoflora. Normally, these mushrooms benefit their "carrier", but when there are too many of them, they harm him.

Mycoses affect almost all parts of the animal's body - paws (fingers, pads, interdigital space), tail, ears, mucous membranes of the mouth and genital organs, nose, eyes, skin over the entire surface, skin appendages (claws, hair, sebaceous glands), internal organs. Some types of fungal organisms are able to develop anywhere, others - only in certain places. Specific microflora is formed in the mouth, nasal passages, in the vagina of the animal. Pathogenic microflora is formed on any part of the body.

Fungus in dogs and its periods of development

Fungus on the paws of a dog usually develops in the spring and autumn periods, when the weather is slushy and damp. In some regions of the country, where wet rainy summers or warm snowless winters, foot fungus is diagnosed in animals all year round. The dog licks and gnaws its paws, limps or pulls its paws. Externally, the owner may find that:

claws are exfoliating, have changed their color and / or structure,
the pads peel off, bleed, are covered with cracks or wounds,
the fingers turned red, swollen, left without hair, the interdigital space turned red, the skin in it exfoliates, exfoliates.

Any of these signs is a reason for an urgent visit to the veterinarian. An advanced form of mycosis on the paws leads to loss of hair, a change in the dog's gait due to constant lameness, chewing and licking of itchy places by animals. When a dog constantly licks or gnaws on a foot affected by a fungus, harmful microorganisms enter his digestive tract and can begin to multiply there. Thus, the external disease becomes internal and much more difficult to treat. In addition, self-bites and scratches on the paws can begin to become inflamed, infected, and fester. Then the fungal infection is complicated by an abscess and even sepsis.

Fungus on the tail of an animal

Mycosis of the tail in a dog is usually not limited to one area and spreads to the skin of other parts of the body - most often on the back and sides. If a dog strongly combs the tail, gnaws or licks it, it runs the risk of bringing pathogenic fungi into its mouth, digestive tract, and also into the genitals, if after licking the tail it licks the prepuce or genital slit. This is especially dangerous for pregnant bitches due to the risk of infection of fetuses, young puppies and very old animals with chronic diseases or weakened immune systems. Foci of mycosis on the tail are a type of skin fungus.

Skin fungus in dogs is the most common reason for owners to visit a veterinary dermatologist. The disease is often contagious and is caused by fungal organisms - normal, opportunistic and pathogenic. Often accompanied by a bacterial or viral infection.

Mycosis on the ears

Ear fungus in dogs is not a contagious disease and develops against the background of a general weakening of the immune system with the participation of fungi of the genus Candida and Malassezia, which are characteristic of the skin of a dog. These are yeast fungi that are constantly present in the ears and other parts of the animal's body. Under favorable conditions, yeast fungi begin to actively multiply and change the myco- and microflora in the external auditory canals.

The impetus for the pathological growth of a fungal colony most often becomes a bacterial infection. Fungal organisms perceive bacteria as a threat and begin to fight them. Also, the growth of microflora is often caused by an ear mite - otodectosis. In this case, it is necessary to treat both bacterial, and tick-borne, and fungal infections.

Exudate forms in the ear canal, which dries up, forms crusts and clogs the canal. The dog hears worse, becomes more nervous and even aggressive. If the nerves are affected, then the dog also has nervous seizures, reminiscent of attacks of rabies or epilepsy.

Lack of adequate treatment of ear fungus can lead to hearing impairment and even loss of hearing in the dog. In addition, constant scratching of the ears is complicated by infection with bacteria and viruses, as a result, inflammatory and purulent-inflammatory processes of the auditory canal, tympanic membrane, and external auricle.

Ear fungus in dogs has the following symptoms:

the dog shakes its head violently, as if trying to shake out droplets of water or a foreign body from the ear canal,
the animal strongly scratches its ears and head with its paws or rubs its head against objects,
ears acquired a reddish color, a vascular network appeared on the auricle (not always),
on the ears there are signs of alopecia - a pathological loss of hair and the appearance of short thickened or, on the contrary, thinned hairs in places of bald patches.

Noticing something like this in your pet, the owner should take him to the veterinarian for taking tests and scrapings. Confirmation of mycosis requires an urgent start of treatment. However, even if the dog's ears are not affected by a fungus, but by another infection, they still need treatment because of the risk of complications or the development of ringworm.

Treatment of fungal infections in dogs

How to treat a fungus in a dog can only be decided by a veterinarian after a thorough examination of a four-legged patient. Some types of fungal organisms glow green when irradiated with an ultraviolet lamp. To diagnose other types, the doctor takes scrapings from the site of the localization of fungi and inoculates in the laboratory.

Only after the diagnosis - mycosis - and the exact definition of the pathogen, medications are prescribed. It is impossible to use anything to treat your pet from a fungus on your own, on the recommendation of a neighbor, or because this remedy helped last time, because what is effective against one type of microorganism does not work at all against another type.

Antifungal drugs for dogs are available in various dosage forms:

Shampoos with antimycotic components - nizoral, clotrimazole, ketoconazole. These shampoos have a therapeutic effect, but they can also be used to prevent fungal infections. In particular, such a shampoo is simply necessary after a dog has contact with an infected animal, after swimming in an open reservoir, especially where the water “blooms”, after a dog wallows in a puddle, excrement of other animals, and also after hunting a fox, badger, with which the hunting dog entered the fray. Wild animals are potential sources of fungal and other infections.
Antifungal vaccines - vakderm, polivak, microderm. They are used for the prevention of mycoses, as well as for the treatment of an already diagnosed disease. Vaccination is carried out in two stages with an interval of two weeks. It is necessary to take into account the breed characteristics of the pet, because some hunting breeds develop an allergy to antifungal vaccines and even an abscess occurs at the injection site.
Antifungal spray - zoomikol, fungyl, which are sprayed on the affected areas or even on the entire surface of the animal's body. Sprays penetrate well through even long and thick hair.
Ointments with components against fungal microorganisms. They are applied to the lesion, slightly beyond its area. If necessary, apply a loose bandage. For the best therapeutic effect, it is worth cutting or shaving off the hair from the treated area.
A good effect is given by birch tar - a previously known folk remedy. It is a very unpleasant and pungent-smelling liquid. Tar is completely unsuitable for cats due to the risk of developing a severe allergic reaction. But it is safe for dogs and helps them well, relieving itching, eliminating all pathogens and drying bitten wounds and scratches.

Sometimes the fungus in dogs is so spread through the body of the dog that the affected areas are difficult to treat. A long-haired dog should be cut as short as possible if he does not live outside in the winter or does not participate in exhibitions. In extreme cases, long hair must be carefully combed out with a brush and comb, untangled and removed matted hair. If possible, you need to use a furminator and remove the faded undercoat. If weather conditions allow and the long-haired dog does not need to perform at the exhibition, then it is worth profiling, in other words, thinning out the dense awn.

To prevent self-bites and licking of lesions, as well as licking of medicinal ointments, it is advisable to wear a protective collar on the animal. Such collars are sold in veterinary clinics and pharmacies, in pet stores, they are selected according to the volume of the neck and the length of the dog's muzzle.

Causes and prevention of the development of fungal diseases in dogs

Fungal microorganisms exist in absolutely all biological niches: in salt and fresh water bodies, on soils of any type, on any substrates, including living organisms, in dry and wet, in acidic and alkaline environments. Therefore, it is not easy to deal with them. Mushrooms are very tenacious and are able to completely restore their colony in a short time, like leishmania.

The reasons for contracting a fungal infection are numerous: contact with an infected animal, contact with the excrement of a sick dog, bathing in a pond with stagnant and “blooming” water.

One of the main conditions for the treatment and prevention of fungal infections in dogs is the cleansing of the premises where the dog lives, the aviary, and bedding from sources of infection. It is necessary to carefully treat all surfaces with cold water with dissolved chloramine. You need to process the floor, walls, furniture sets. It is better to entrust upholstered furniture on which a dog can lie, carpets and rugs to a professional pest control service. But it is also allowed to clean them yourself with a solution of chlordesin.

Toys, cages, bowls and other accessories of the animal must be treated with formalin and thoroughly rinsed from the slightest residue of the substance. Bedding, soft toys, cloth collars, leashes and harnesses should ideally be replaced with new ones. But in extreme cases, they can be soaked in very hot water with baking soda dissolved in it, and then rinsed.

If the animal is kept in the yard, then the aviary and kennel should be treated with a disinfectant solution, the bedding, the top layer of sand or gravel in the aviary should be replaced. In order to prevent litter and bulk coverings in the yard, it is necessary to regularly change or clean from dirt and disinfect. It is necessary to wash outdoor shoes daily and put them in a place inaccessible to the dog so that the pet does not play with them.