Symptoms and proper treatment of fungus in cats. Fungus in cats symptoms and treatment In kittens, a fungus on the nose and ears

In the article I will talk about what fungal diseases are found in cats, and what are the reasons for their development. I will list the types of diseases, describe their symptoms. I’ll tell you how fungus and mycosis in cats are diagnosed and treated, and what kind of prevention is carried out.

Fungi are microscopic organisms that provoke the development of many diseases. They can affect the skin and coat of a pet, or internal organs. Some fungal diseases are transmitted from a cat to a person.

Here are the most common diseases:

. The second name is microsporia. With this disease, clearly defined scaly bald patches appear on the cat's skin. Animal suffering from deprivation constantly itches. This disease is easily transmitted to humans, so when treating it is necessary to wear gloves and wash your hands thoroughly after contact with a sick pet.
Candidiasis. This disease is caused by the fungus Candida. It develops after a long course of antibiotics. On the skin (usually on the oral mucosa or on the genitals) appear weeping red with white coating of ulcers.
Malassezia. This fungus is on the skin of every cat, but it is activated against the background of ear diseases or dermatitis. At the same time, the pet hair falls out, red and inflamed bald patches appear.
Cryptococcosis or torulosis. This fungus is found in bird droppings. Cats become infected by airborne droplets. Cryptococci infect the brain, lymph nodes, and skin. Main symptoms: abscesses and fistulas, lesions of the nervous system(paralysis, incoordination, etc.), nasal discharge.
Scab or favus. This disease is carried by rodents. The pet appears deep scabs, which are covered with a gray crust on top. Wool on the affected areas falls out, necrosis develops.
Sporotrichosis. This fungus leads to the appearance of nodules on the skin and internal organs. First of all the skin on the muzzle, paws, tail is affected. Also, nodules may appear in the area of wounds and abrasions.

All fungal diseases are accompanied by hair loss, peeling or inflammation of the skin.

Risk group and main causes of fungus development in cats

The risk group includes, first of all, small kittens and elderly animals, since their immunity does not work at full strength. This also includes pregnant cats.

Some fungal diseases can be inherited. Veterinarians note that cats are more prone to developing ringworm.

Here are other risk factors for developing fungal diseases:

Frequent shampooing of a cat causes the protective fatty layer to be washed off the skin. It can also lead to the development of a fungal infection.

Diagnosis and treatment

If you notice that your pet's hair is falling out in places, and the skin in these areas is reddened or peeling off, contact your veterinarian immediately. In the clinic, the doctor will examine the pet, take a deep scraping and do a seeding, with which you can determine the type of fungus.

Also, a special Wood's lamp shines on the affected areas. Fungi that provoke the development of ringworm are highlighted in emerald color.

Such diseases are treated with the following drugs:

and Amphotericin - effective for candidiasis, cryptococcosis, scab.
Ketoconazole tablets are prescribed for cryptococcosis.
Clotrimazole ointment is applied to the inflamed areas of the skin, as well as preparations based on tar.
The cat is washed once a week with antifungal shampoos (Nizoral, Doctor, etc.).
With severe itching, antihistamines are prescribed.

If the fungus was caused by a serious infection, the root cause is treated first. To do this, use broad-spectrum antibiotics, tonic drugs, immunostimulants.

From folk remedies, you can use homemade ointments, for example: a mixture of honey and fish oil; tar and protein mass; olive oil and apple cider vinegar. These ingredients are mixed in equal proportions and applied to the affected areas.

Sick Animal Care

Pets suffering from a fungus must be isolated from both animals and people. It is necessary to put an Elizabethan collar on the cat so that it does not lick the inflamed skin.

The cat's diet should be reviewed. It is better to switch your pet to nutritious and easily digestible diets.

Remember that some fungal cat diseases can be transmitted to humans, so wear rubber gloves during direct contact and treatments, and treat your hands with an antiseptic after procedures.

Prevention

Prevention of fungal diseases is as follows:

Fungal diseases are quite common. They are easily transmitted from a sick individual to a healthy one, so cats walking on the street very often become infected with ringworm. These diseases respond well to treatment, but it should be started already at the first symptoms of malaise.

Fungal infections in cats are quite common diseases. Spores of pathogenic fungi are carried by air and, if the animal's immunity weakens, quickly lead to the development of the disease. It is very important for the owners to know the symptoms and treatment of the fungus in cats, since only if therapy is started on time, it is possible to eliminate the problem quickly and prevent serious harm to the health of the pet.

Fungus spores are always on the skin of cats, and even a pet that does not leave the apartment has them. Normally present in an animal, spores do not develop and do not lead to a problem. If there is a violation of the skin condition, then, in addition to treating the lesion, therapy is also required to increase immunity. When a cat lives in the house, the budget must necessarily include an item of expenditure for its treatment, if necessary.

The main types of fungal infections

All fungal diseases in cats are divided into 2 large groups.

Usually, cats have an infection from the first group, and then they diagnose fungal dermatitis, stomatitis and ringworm.

In this condition, the skin of a sick cat turns red, areas of baldness and scratching appear on it. Treatment of the disease should begin immediately after its discovery.

Common symptoms of fungal infections

Despite the fact that the fungi that affect pets are very diverse, there are common symptoms that are characteristic of all types of damage to them. Common signs of a fungal infection in cats are::

prolonged scratching of the same place;
pressing the necks;
head shaking;
cough;
general depression;
peeling of the skin;
dullness of the coat;
small rashes on the skin, filled with a clear liquid.

With systemic fungi, the condition of a sick animal deteriorates rapidly, it rapidly loses weight and symptoms of a violation in the work of one or another organ appear.

In the event that the pathology could not be detected in a timely manner, the cat may die.

When ear fungus occurs, cats develop permanent scratches behind the ear. In a severe case, the fungus can penetrate into the middle ear, and this will cause otitis media and an abundant flow of sulfur-purulent masses from the ear canal.

Only a veterinarian can accurately determine the type of fungus and how much it affects the body of a cat. For this reason if you suspect such a disease, you should immediately show the animal to a specialist. This is the main condition for a complete cure in the animal and the prevention of infection of the hosts.

Diagnostic methods

Diagnosis of the disease is carried out only in a veterinary clinic. You should not listen to the advice of friends about what remedy to take to get rid of the fungus, since many fungi are dangerous to humans, and the lack of timely and adequate therapy will have an extremely negative impact on the owner.

The necessary treatment for fungus in cats is determined only by a specialist. In order to identify the type of fungus that affected the cat, the veterinarian takes a skin scraping at the site of the lesion. What kind of infection takes place is determined very quickly, after which the right medicine is selected.

When a veterinary clinic has a powerful laboratory, they not only determine the type of fungus, but also determine what type of drugs it will be most sensitive to. Thanks to this, it is possible to carry out therapy with the most effective antifungal drugs.

How is skin fungus treated?

Therapy of fungal diseases is long. It is unacceptable to arbitrarily end it, deciding that the pet is completely healthy. Only a doctor can cancel the intake of funds, since only tests can accurately determine whether the pathogen is completely destroyed or still partially remains in the tissues and the untreated animal will fall ill again.

It is not high-quality treatment that is the main reason for the recurrence of the disease.

If the damage to the cat is especially strong, not only ointments and gels, but also injections and droppers can be used. Very often, it is also prescribed to wash the pet with the use of special medicinal shampoos, which include miconazole.

The following drugs are usually prescribed for the treatment of fungal infections::

Sulfuric ointment;
green;
antifungal vaccines;
clotrimazole ointment,
potassium iodide.

In cases where the fungus is systemic and it affects the liver, kidneys, lungs and nervous system, the use of the antibiotic amoxicillin is indicated. It can be administered by injection, which for owners who do not know how making injections will be quite difficult due to the high density of the drug or given orally. The medicine for injections is purchased at a veterinary clinic, and for oral administration in a human pharmacy, according to a veterinarian's prescription.

Fungus in the ears

In cases where the fungus in the ears of a cat is diagnosed correctly, it is quite easy to treat, albeit for a long time. After the cat is examined by a specialist and the presence of a fungus is detected, the auricle is mechanically processed, during which a complete cleaning is carried out.

For a cat, this procedure is unpleasant, although not painful, and therefore, during it, considerable efforts are required from the owner to keep his raging pet.

After the ears are cleaned, special antifungal drops are instilled into them, which the owner must then introduce for a certain time, strictly following the recommendations. A noticeable improvement in the cat's condition is noted after a few days of therapy, as the itching is removed very quickly. Full recovery usually occurs after a course of treatment for 2-3 weeks.

If the owners found a fungus in a cat or they suspected it, you should not self-medicate, but it is important to deliver the pet to a good veterinary clinic as soon as possible.

Sometimes pet owners use traditional methods of treating the disease, which is a big mistake, since they can only cope with a few types of fungi, and in other cases they only damage the already inflamed and injured skin of the animal even more.

Prevention of the fungus

Prevention of fungal infections in cats is very important, as it allows you to protect your pet with high efficiency.

First of all, to prevent the onset of the disease, preventive vaccinations should be used, which are carried out once a year. Also, to maintain the health of the animal, it is important to provide him with good nutrition, sufficient physical activity and high-quality skin care with regular washing at least 1 time in 3 months and no more than 1 time in 2 months, unless otherwise indicated.

Since any cat can become infected with a fungus, even living only in an apartment, it will not be superfluous to regularly examine the body of the animal to detect the beginning of the formation of bald patches and weeping wounds. The cat's ears should be cleaned at least once every 10 days.

MICROSPORATION

Microsporia is considered the most common skin disease among dermatomycosis. The causative agents of microsporia in cats in most cases are the fungi Microsporum canis and M.gypseum. They are very stable and can survive in the environment for up to several years. Cats are infected from each other by direct contact, less often from a person with microscopy. M.gypseum lives in the soil.

Symptoms. The clinical manifestation of microsporia in cats is very diverse. In long-haired cats, the disease is most often asymptomatic, without showing any clinical signs. In typical cases, lesions are located on the muzzle, in the upper part of the head near the ears, at the base of the tail, on the limbs, etc. Rounded hairless spots of irregular shape are formed. At the site of the lesion, the skin thickens, turns red. The quality of wool deteriorates, the hairs stick together, have a whitish case at the base, and break off easily. The affected areas are flaky.

To diagnose Microsporum, Wood's lamp lighting (green fluorescence) is often used - the affected hairs glow with emerald green light (this usually does not happen with trichophytosis). However, this method is not always effective, and the fluorescence of the affected hair is not always detected even in the presence of infection. And for black cats, this method is generally ineffective - they use a microscopic analysis of skin scrapings.

Treatment microsporia at home is very difficult. Traditionally, local disinfection is used, for example, using iodine, epacid-F, iodine 1:5-1:2 with salicylic alcohol. Very effective are also cipam, zoomikol (nitrohydroxyquinoline in combination with thiazolbenzimidazole) and ointments: vedinol and sulfodecortem. It is advisable to add gamavit and maksidin, or immunofan, to the complex treatment regimen. Gemovit-plus gives a good effect (4-6 drops per day for 2 months).

With extensive lesions, treatment with chlorhexidine is also used. The high efficiency of microderm and vakderm-F vaccines, which are administered intramuscularly, has been shown. After 2-3 injections of the drug, crusts are rejected from the affected areas and new hair growth is observed. The Polivak TM vaccine has also proven itself well.

It should be borne in mind that sick animals can infect humans with microsporia. Children are especially susceptible. It is advisable to avoid their contact with a sick animal and thoroughly disinfect the room using 1-4.5% solutions of iodesis, or epacid-F.

Prevention: observance of hygiene rules, timely vaccination with microderm or vakderm-F vaccine.

Homeopathic treatment. Microsporia is successfully treated with homeopathic remedies. Homeopathic treatment of kittens is especially important, for whom other treatment is contraindicated.

For the treatment of microsporia, drugs engistol and traumeel are used. For kittens up to 2 months, drugs are prescribed orally (3-5 drops 3 times a day), kittens after two months, as well as adult cats, are treated with injection therapy (3 times a week). Additionally, traumeel C gel can be applied topically. The duration of treatment is at least three weeks.

Phytotherapy. Therapeutic collection, marshmallow, narrow-leaved fireweed, large burdock, celandine .. For auxiliary therapy, a collection of juniper berries, yarrow herb, sage leaf, eucalyptus, chamomile, calendula, birch buds, black poplar is prescribed. Outwardly, it is possible to recommend an anti-inflammatory phytoelite ointment, which includes extracts of the following herbs: meadowsweet, mullein, St. bedstraw, burdock root, budra, oregano, burnet, elder flowers, propolis.

trichophytosis

In this disease, caused by the microscopic fungus Trychophyton mentagrophytes (which is considered to be a rodent), characteristic rounded bald patches appear on the skin, sometimes with slight remnants of hair.

Symptoms. Lesions are usually located on the head and neck. The disease (most often young animals under the age of 1 year get sick) develops in much the same way as microsporia, but manifests itself mainly in the follicular form, which is characterized by abundant exudation and the formation of grayish-whitish crusts, and after them - the manifestation of alopecia areata, the occurrence multiple foci of alopecia. As with microsporia, the hair in the lesions breaks off easily. Severe itching is characteristic, the cat licks the lesions with bitterness.

Treatment. The foci are lubricated with baksin ointment or vedinol ointment 2 times a day, tea tree oil, and the vaccine Vakderm-F is administered intramuscularly in 0.5 ml or the microderm vaccine. After 2-3 injections of the drug, crusts are rejected from the affected areas and new hair growth is observed. Treated animals remain immune for at least 12 months. Epacid-F also has an antifungal effect. Treatment with cipam is shown. It is also shown to include gamavit, maksidin, immunofan or neoferon in the complex treatment regimen. For accelerated restoration of hair follicles and coat, multivitamins "Useful Pleasure", phytomins for wool, gemovit-plus are recommended.

Prevention. Given that the diagnosis and treatment of patients with ringworm in cats is not an easy, long and expensive task, you should remember that the most reliable and effective way to protect your pets from fungal infections is vaccination. The most effective for this purpose are domestic vaccines: Wakderm-F, Microderm. Both of these vaccines are effective for both prevention and treatment. In addition, after their use, long-term immunity is created.

FAVUS

Favus (scab) is rare in cats. This disease, which is also transmitted to humans, is characterized not only by damage to the skin, hair and claws, but also sometimes affects internal organs, including bone tissue and even the brain. In the latter case, death is not uncommon.

Carriers of pathogenic dermatomycetes are mice, rats and other rodents. In cats, scab occurs and easily spreads when zoohygienic rules are violated, therefore homeless and stray cats, which release the pathogen into the external environment, are more likely to get sick. Infection of susceptible animals occurs by airborne, enteral routes, as well as through damaged skin.

The incubation period lasts from several days to 3-4 months. Cats are characterized by a scutular form of scab with the formation of scab-like crusts on the skin with a depression in the center. Phavous foci are found on the head, ears, paws, and back. Over time, the crusts turn into grayish-white scabs. Under them, the skin layer atrophies, the sebaceous and sweat glands are destroyed, the affected hair falls out.

Microscopic examination of white plaque from the affected areas of the skin shows thin mycelia, consisting of rectangular cells with a double-circuit membrane. The spores of the fungus are round or polyhedral in shape, arranged in chains or groups, 4-8 microns in size. when sown on saburo agar, the scab pathogen grows in the form of smooth white velvety colonies, which eventually become pink, powdery and folded.

Symptoms. A characteristic feature of the favus of cats is the formation of scab-like crusts on the skin with a depression in the middle. Over time, the foci turn into so-called scooters or shields - saucer-shaped, yellow, very compact formations located on the muzzle and paws, near the claws and on the ears. Under the scutulae, the skin layer atrophies, the sebaceous and sweat glands degenerate, and the affected hair falls out. However, the hair itself does not break off, unlike microsporia and trichophytosis.

Treatment. The disease is difficult to treat. Traditionally, griseofulvin (20-50 mg / kg body weight) is used orally (it cannot be used during pregnancy due to teratogenic effects), and the affected areas are treated with epacid-F, 5% iodez, vedinol ointment. General strengthening therapy is carried out (fosprenil, gamavit, maksidin, gemovit-C).

The tactics of treating this disease depends on the nature of the lesions - localized or disseminated. For localized lesions, crusts and scabs were softened and washed off with warm soapy water. The affected areas of the skin and the surrounding hair were lubricated with a 5% solution of iodine monochloride, followed by rubbing chlortetracycline ointment with griseofulvin, previously crushed into powder and mixed with an ointment heated in a water bath.

With more extensive lesions, in addition to the above described treatment, griseofulvin was administered orally at the rate of 20-50 mg/kg of animal weight daily for 8-14 days. Animals with a generalized form were euthanized. Collected affected hair, scales, crusts were burned. Animal habitats were disinfected with alkaline formaldehyde solution (2% formaldehyde solution and 1% sodium hydroxide solution).

Prevention The disease consists in strict observance of the rules of keeping and regular examinations of the animal by a veterinarian. To stimulate natural resistance, you can prescribe camax with spirulina or with seaweed, immunofan.

Phytotherapy black elderberry, valerian, elecampane, medicinal mullein, chicory, chaga, string, celandine, sage.

ASPERGILLOSIS

The causative agents of aspergillosis are hyalohyphomycetes or, more precisely, leukohyphomycetes, in which the tissue forms consist, as a rule, of colorless (hyaline), septate elements, sometimes branching or, less commonly, rounded, while in culture, aspergillus are white in color until the period of sporulation, or fruiting. Slightly more than 20 species out of about 200 described in the literature, whose names belong to their anamorphs, are called etiological agents of aspergillosis. All aspergilli are classified as ascomycete micromycetes (for example, by the nature of the structure of the cell wall), regardless of whether or not there is information on the identification of teleomorphs in this species. To date, the following teleomorphs of the genus are known Aspergillus: Chaetosartorya, Dichlaena, Eurotium, Emericella, Fennellia, Hemicarpenteles, Neosartorya, Petromyces, Sclerocleista, Warcupiella (Ascomycota, Euascomycetes, Eurotiales: Trichocomaceae)

Aspergillosis is diverse in clinical manifestations and, obviously, therefore, there is no single clinical classification that would fully satisfy the needs of veterinary and medical mycologists, however, many authors recognize 3 main forms of aspergillosis: invasive with involvement of various organs and systems, pulmonary aspergilloma and allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis

Invasive aspergillosis with the involvement of various tissues, organs and systems usually occurs in the presence of such predisposing factors as impaired liver function, intensive and prolonged antibiotic therapy with broad-spectrum antibacterial drugs, immunosuppression, neutropenia in the blood (less than 500x10 9 cells / l), acute leukemia, chronic diseases, markedly weakening the macroorganism.

If invasive aspergillosis is suspected in a patient in the initial and progressive stages, computed tomography (CT) can be very informative, in the later stages - radiography (X-ray). In the first case, the sequence of changes occurs in the following order: the formation of a rarefaction site (halo) around a focal lung tissue defect → the formation of an air cavity in the form of a crescent around the lung node due to compression of the necrotic tissue; in the second - the presence of wedge-shaped areas of blackout or cavities bordering the pleura. The importance of CT and RG in the dynamics of invasive aspergillosis has also been noted in other works.

In addition to the aspergillosis diseases discussed above, included in the first group of main forms - invasive, is well known and aspergilloma of the lungs - the second main form of aspergillosis is pleuropulmonary. Aspergilloma is a conglomerate of intertwined filaments of Aspergillus mycelium impregnated with cellular elements, fibrin, mucus and located in the lung cavity or in bronchiectasis. Of the background diseases predisposing to the occurrence of aspergilloma, fibrocystic sarcoidosis, cavernous tuberculosis, bullous emphysema, pulmonary fibrosis, histoplasmosis are of importance. Aspergilloma may be the cause of invasive (often fatal) pulmonary aspergillosis; a chronic necrotizing form of aspergillosis is also possible in the presence of aspergilloma on an x-ray with signs of invasion of lung tissue during biopsy examination, with the development of such general symptoms as fever, cough, weight loss and some others (fungal-bacterial mixt infection is possible).

The diagnosis of aspergilloma is usually made on the basis of clinical (hemoptysis is a pathognomonic sign) data and RG. On x-ray, aspergilloma is round, sometimes mobile, located inside an oval or spherical capsule, separated from it by an air gap of various shapes and sizes; according to the degree of darkening corresponds to the liquid. In cases of peripheral location of aspergilloma, the pleura thickens.

Also pleuropulmonary infection is allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis , or ABPA is the third main form of aspergillosis, in which a state of hypersensitivity of the lungs develops, induced mainly A. fumigatus. In 1977, 7 criteria were proposed for the final diagnosis of ABPA, if 6 criteria are confirmed, the diagnosis is considered probable.

Episodic bronchial obstruction (asthma).

Eosinophilia in peripheral blood.

Positive scratch test for Aspergillus antigen.

The presence of precipitating antibodies (precipitins) to Aspergillus antigen.

Elevated levels of IgE in the blood.

In history - infiltrates in the lungs (transient or permanent).

central bronchiectasis.

Additional diagnostic criteria are: repeated detections A. fumigatus in sputum by microscopic and/or cultural methods; in history - brown inclusions in the sputum; increased level of IgE to Aspergillus antigen; DTH (delayed type hypersensitivity) is the Arthus phenomenon to Aspergillus antigen.

Symptoms : cough, shortness of breath, clinic of bronchitis, granulomatous pneumonia, possible fever, signs of intoxication, general deterioration. Nasal infection resembles cryptococcosis, and systemic lesions resemble histoplasmosis. Initially, aspergillus are located in the superficial layers of the bronchial mucosa, then the process spreads deeper, superficial and deeper ulcerations form. There is a cough with gray sputum, sometimes with streaks of blood. Sputum may contain lumps containing aspergillus. The process usually progresses, captures the lungs, develops Aspergillus pneumonia. The pulmonary form of mycosis can be acute and chronic. When listening, small bubbling wet rales are noted, sometimes a pleural friction rub. In the blood leukocytosis, eosinophilia, ESR increased. X-ray examination reveals inflammatory infiltration in the form of oval or rounded infiltrates, prone to decay. A wide infiltrative shaft is visible around the formed cavities. Radiologically characteristic is the filling of the cavities resulting from the underlying disease, a kind of shadow in the form of a ball with an air gap between the shadow of the ball and the walls of the cavity. This layer of gas is revealed in the form of a kind of sickle-shaped cavity (“halo”). In the area of large shading, signs of necrosis, abscess formation are revealed, cavities with a liquid level may appear. Along with this, unstable (quickly disappearing) shading is possible - eosinophilic infiltrates; lung atelectasis. Often, small- or coarse-meshed deformation of the lung pattern, stringy and parallel linear shadows (bronchitis, peribronchitis), signs of compensatory emphysema and pulmonary fibrosis are often determined. The root of the affected lung is expanded. With a long course, fibrocystic changes in the lung tissue are formed. In the remission phase, the signs of the disease are less pronounced. The transition to the remission phase in the absence of treatment is characterized by coughing up a crumbly or fluffy lump or mucous plug of a yellowish greenish, greenish brown color with a moldy smell. Septic (generalized) forms of aspergillosis develop against the background of a sharp suppression of immunity. This form is characterized by hematogenous spread of aspergillus with the formation of metastases in various organs and tissues. Lesions of the gastrointestinal tract (nausea, vomiting, moldy breath, liquid foamy stools containing a large amount of aspergillus), brain abscesses, specific uveitis, multiple skin lesions in the form of peculiar nodes can be observed. Changes in the respiratory organs are also observed, with which Aspergillus sepsis usually begins. When making a diagnosis, it is important to pay attention to the presence of previous immunosuppressive factors; fungal hyphae are detected in tissue samples. Serological tests are available, but the hemagglutination test or gel precipitation is more commonly used. Of the lesions of the bronchi and lungs, the diagnostic value is the long course of the disease, the formation of characteristic infiltrates with subsequent decay, the nature of sputum, leukocytosis, and eosinophilia. The diagnosis is confirmed by the isolation of the pathogen (from sputum, material taken from the bronchi, biopsy specimens of the affected organs). Aspergillus is isolated from the blood very rarely, even in generalized forms of aspergillosis.

Treatment. In invasive pulmonary aspergillosis, it is advisable to continue treatment until the pathogen is completely eradicated (eradicated) and reversible predisposing conditions are reduced (B III).

In severe and life-threatening cases of invasive aspergillosis, intravenous amphotericin B is the standard of care; in the case of AMB nephrotoxicity, lipid forms of AMB are prescribed - ambisome or abelset, which must be used initially if the patient has impaired renal function or they (drugs) must be combined with other nephrotoxic drugs.

It is natural to expect that the results of treatment will be more reliable if the sensitivity of the pathogen to the antibiotic has been previously tested. in vitro and it turned out to be relatively high.

In invasive aspergillosis, itraconazole is also prescribed, to which aspergillus is sensitive. Its MIC and MIC 90 against 40 strains A. fumigatus amounted to 0.025 → 16 and 0.5 µg/ml, respectively (MFK 90 = -10 µg/ml), and in relation to 24 strains A. flavus- 0.25-2 and 2 µg/ml, respectively (MFK 90 = 5 µg/ml).

Cryptococcosis

Cryptococcosis (torulosis, Busse-Buschke disease) is a systemic fungal disease caused by the yeast-like fungus Cryptococcus neoformans (formerly Torula neoformans). In addition to cats, this mycosis occurs in dogs and humans, but the infection is not transmitted from cats to humans. Infection occurs by airborne droplets, most often through the nose, with the help of spores that persist for a long time in the ground contaminated with bird droppings, especially pigeon droppings. From the nose, cryptococci often penetrate through the ethmoid bone into the brain, as well as into the eyes, lymph nodes and skin. The disease occurs more often in debilitated middle-aged cats, mainly against the background of immunosuppression. Absolutely healthy animals can also get sick with cryptococcosis. The disease manifests itself in three forms - nasal, nervous and cutaneous - and is characterized by nasal discharge, lesions of the central nervous system, eyes, as well as fistulas and abscesses. More often in cats, the disease occurs in a chronic form with lung damage. The nasal form accounts for half of all cases of the disease. Symptoms. In the nasal form: sneezing, snorting, bloody mucous discharge from the nose, shortness of breath, cough. Flesh-colored polyp-like growths may appear from the nose. The infection can spread to the brain and lead to CNS damage and death due to meningitis. In the nervous form: symptoms of meningoencephalitis, disorder of coordination of movements, epileptoid seizures, paresis, paralysis. When the eyes are damaged, blindness develops. In the skin form: there is often a dense swelling in the back of the nose, subcutaneous nodules, pustules, ulcers, abscesses and fistulas. Diagnosis is based on the results of microflora cultures and tissue biopsies. a serological test for cryptococcus antigen is performed. Treatment with the use of antifungal drugs should begin as early as possible, otherwise there is little chance of a successful outcome. They also use drugs from the imidazole group, for example, ketoconazole, and for systemic disease - amphotericin B (subcutaneously, 0.5 mg / kg, 2-3 times a week for several months up to a total dose of 8 - 26 mg / kg), fluconazole and 5-fluorocytosine. Treatment is quite complicated, with the use of antifungal drugs, in particular - ketoconazole (nizoral). Amphotericin and 5-fluorocytosine are also recommended. You can start iodine preparations inside in increasing doses. Of the antimycotic antibiotics, amphotericin B. The drug is used intravenously in a 5% glucose solution, administered drip for 4-6 hours. The daily dose is prescribed at the rate of 250 IU / kg. The drug is administered 2-3 times a week. The duration of the course depends on the clinical form of aspergillosis and ranges from 4 to 8 weeks. In pulmonary forms of aspergillosis, inhalations of solutions of sodium iodide, nystatin sodium salt are indicated. When layering a secondary infection (usually staphylococcal), oxacillin or erythromycin can be used. Antibiotics of the tetracycline group and levomycetin are contraindicated, as they contribute to the occurrence of aspergillosis. Vitamins and restorative treatment are prescribed.

HISTOPLASMOSIS Histoplasmosis (Darling's disease) is a systemic fungal disease that is characterized by damage to the internal organs and the reticuloendothelial system and is caused by the fungus Historplasma carsulatum from the class of imperfect fungi. In cats, it was first described in 1950 in the central states of America. In addition to cats, this disease occurs in humans, but the infection does not appear to be transmitted from cats to humans. Infection occurs with the help of spores that persist for a long time in soil rich in nitrogen, contaminated with manure, bird droppings, and bat excrement. Mycosis often develops in debilitated cats, as a rule, against the background of immunosuppression. Symptoms: the increase is gradual, the temperature rises, the cat refuses food, loses weight, shortness of breath and cough, vomiting, diarrhea appear. There may be symptoms of damage to the respiratory tract, including - lungs, conjunctivitis, granulomatous skin lesions. Diagnosis put on the basis of the detection of characteristic spherical macroconidia with a spiny surface. Treatment with antifungal drugs should begin as early as possible, but most cats, despite all the measures taken, still die.

CANDIDIASIS

Candidiasis or candidiasis is a mycosis caused by yeast-like fungi of the genus Candida.

Often, the onset of this disease is facilitated by prolonged antibiotic therapy, as a result of which the normal microflora is suppressed, and conditionally pathogenic microorganisms, in particular, yeast-like fungi, begin to multiply. Immunosuppression also contributes to the development of candidiasis (infectious and some other diseases, corticosteroids, etc.).

Symptoms: ulcerative, poorly healing lesions on the skin, covered with a whitish coating and surrounded by a red border. There is hair loss. Peeling is pronounced, but the scales, unlike pityrosporosis, are dry.

The main places of localization: the mucous membrane of the oral cavity, ears, prepuce.

Treatment: ointments containing clotrimazole, ketoconazole, levorin, nystatin (the last two drugs have low bioavailability, not exceeding 3-5%). According to Yu.N. Gurova, effective treatment is based on the use of zoomicol (aerosol), 2-3 treatments every other day. In between - nystatin ointment or clotrimazole cream 1-2 times a day, and once a week - treatment with 5% iodine or iodine with salicylic alcohol (1:1 - 1:5). The more lesions, the greater the concentration of iodine should be used - within 1-1.5 months, and in chronic candidomycosis 1-3 years. You can use iodine diluted 1:1 with 9% apple cider vinegar, repeat courses 2-3 times a year.

ACTINOMYCOSIS AND ACTINOBACILLOSIS

Actinomycosis is a subacute or rather chronic granulomatous disease that usually causes suppuration and abscess formation and tends to form fistulous tracts. The disease occurs in humans and animals. In addition to classical pathogens A. bovis and A. israelii, actinomycotic lesions can cause a diverse number of species of other enzymatic actinomycetes. Most of these agents belong to the genus Actinomyces, but some are members of the genus Propionibacterium or Bifidobacterium. In addition, all typical actinomycotic lesions contain a variety of bacteria in addition to pathogenic actinomycetes. Thus, the term "actinomycosis" defines a polyetiological inflammatory syndrome rather than simply a disease related to a single pathogenic microorganism. In order to avoid introducing additional etiological terms and to remain bacteriologically correct, it has been proposed to designate a group of closely related inflammatory processes with the term "actinomycosis" in the plural.

Symptoms. The initial actinomycotic lesions usually develop in the tissues adjacent to the mucous membranes, which are the natural habitats of the causative agents. The following areas are most often affected: skin, bones, respiratory organs. After penetration of the pathogen into the tissues, the infection tends to progress slowly, regardless of the natural boundaries of the organ. Occasionally, hematogenous spread is seen, in which the CNS (brain abscess) or natural cavities (empyema) may be involved. There is a characteristic tendency for both remission and exacerbation of symptoms, regardless of antibiotic therapy. It is believed that approximately 4 weeks elapse before the first clinical signs appear, but numerous reports suggest that this period may be much longer or much shorter.

Actinmycosis of the skin and bones. The process is usually due to the direct spread of infection from adjacent soft tissues. This leads to periostitis, which stimulates new osteogenesis, visible on radiographs. At the onset of the disease, limited areas of bone destruction surrounded by denser bone tissue can be observed.

A fungus in a cat can also appear, regardless of communication with the outside world, the animal can become infected with it through food or if there are open wounds on the body. Often, pets have reduced immunity, which their owners do not even suspect. The cat may have problems with the intestines, urinary tract and kidneys, respiratory tract. Infection can be both the cause of such diseases and accompany them. Consider the concept of "fungus in cats", you will also find symptoms and treatment in the article.

Symptoms of the fungus

Signs of a fungal infection in cats can manifest themselves in different ways, the symptoms can be both obvious and confirmed only by taking a test. Until the animal is accurately diagnosed, limit its contact with other pets.

If a cat has a fungus, the symptoms may be as follows:

combing the affected area longer than usual;
fungus in the ears in cats is accompanied by active shaking of the head, while the ears are usually pressed;
passive state;
refusal of food;
cough.

Other diseases can have the same symptoms, so you should not ignore them, visit a veterinarian.

In cats, this is a general concept of infection, some symptoms are easily confused with another disease, so seek help from a veterinarian.

The pet will take blood, urine, feces tests, conduct a complete diagnosis and prescribe treatment, depending on the severity of the fungal infection.

Risk group

An absolutely healthy cat that does not leave the house can also become infected with a fungus. However, there is a certain risk group, which includes:

pregnant and lactating cats;
an animal that has recently suffered diseases of various organs;
cats that periodically live outside the apartment;
pets who regularly eat raw food;
immunocompromised animals;
purebred cats.

Types of fungal infections

Consider the most common forms of fungus:

Histoplasmosis is a fungus that is transmitted through the air, i.e. by inhalation. The infection affects the respiratory tract, lungs, from there, through the blood vessels, the fungus spreads throughout the body and affects the intestines, spleen and liver. Signs of damage can be: loss of appetite and a sharp decrease in body weight, apathy, cough, diarrhea, intestinal bleeding. The disease must be treated at an early stage, otherwise antifungal drugs will have to be used for a very long time. Also, during the period, it is necessary to give as much clean water as possible to drink, because if you refuse to feed, dehydration may occur, which will aggravate the situation.
Cryptococcosis is a fungal infection that cats catch by inhaling spores of contaminated air. This type of fungus was found in bird droppings, as well as in the soil. It affects the nasal cavity, scalp, eyes. The disease is easily distinguished among others by signs: bleeding from the nose, the presence of swelling in the bridge of the nose, the formation of seals in the nasal cavity, the presence of nodules under the skin filled with watery or purulent fluid, frequent sneezing. If the central nervous system is affected by the fungus, the cat experiences convulsions, partial paralysis, and blindness. If the disease has become severe or the owner delayed the moment of treatment, the cat can be operated on to remove seals from the nasal cavity and subcutaneous nodules. Along with this, antifungal therapy is prescribed in parallel.
Rhinosporidiosis is a fungus in cats that has similar symptoms and treatment to cryptococcosis, but is slightly more easily tolerated by cats. The skin and nasal passages are affected by the formation of ulcerative nodules that grow continuously. They are removed only surgically, in the future the cat receives antifungal therapy.
Ear fungus - the most famous infection, often with undertreatment goes into a chronic stage. Ear fungus in a cat is difficult to confuse with any other; by the behavior of the animal, you will understand that it is bothering him. The cat now and then pulls its paw to scratch in the ear, while doing this with caution, because it experiences pain due to the formation of crusts and subcutaneous blisters filled with pus. Also signs are head shaking and sulfur can be abundantly released from the ears, it must be carefully removed without penetrating deep into the ear canal. Immediately show the pet to the doctor, in addition to symptomatic therapy, he will most likely prescribe immunomodulatory drugs. Unfortunately, the fungus can penetrate the middle ear, and this is fraught with inflammation of the brain and death.
Mycetoma is a disease that affects the subcutaneous tissues and the skin itself, in severe cases it affects the bones of the animal. The fungus looks like granules or grains spreading throughout the body of the animal. Basically, such granules are located on the limbs of the paws; new formations can grow and appear.
Candidiasis is a fungus that affects the oral mucosa and skin. It is a white coating or wounds covered with white scales. Occurs with long-term treatment of a cat with antibiotics, infectious diseases of the intestines, lungs, bladder.
Mycosis is a fungal infection that is most susceptible to immunocompromised cats. Pathogenic microorganisms are in the air, water, settle on the grass, as well as the owner's clothes. Symptoms are manifested in the form of reddening of the skin, spots are formed on the abdomen, genitals, ears. The cat begins to actively lose hair, dandruff appears.

According to the above description, you can recognize the fungus in cats, photos of an infected animal will help determine the disease at least approximately.

fungus treatment

So, you found a fungus in a cat, how to treat it? Therapy must be carried out immediately. Doing it yourself is not recommended, take the animal to the nearest veterinary clinic. The doctor will examine the cat, take a smear of the affected area of the body. It happens that the result of the analysis has to wait several days. In this case, symptomatic treatment is prescribed, instructions are given for caring for the pet.

Sometimes the treatment is quite difficult, the cat will need to be brought in for droppers and injections.

Varieties of antifungal drugs

Each type of fungus is treated with a specific drug in compliance with the regimen and dosage. Consider the means used to treat the fungus:

"Ketoconazole" - an antimicrobial drug in the form of tablets, is prescribed for the treatment of cryptococcosis.
"Amphotericin" - a means of a group of antibiotics, is available in the form of an ointment and powder for preparing a solution. It is used to treat candidiasis, cryptococcosis, histoplasmosis.
"Clotrimazole" is an antifungal ointment for topical use, applied to the affected areas of the animal's body. Used as a therapy for candidiasis.
"Potassium iodide" - acts as an antiseptic and antifungal agent. Sold in the form of a powder for the preparation of a solution.
"Amoxicillin" is an antibiotic used in cases of damage to internal organs: kidneys, liver, lungs.

When treating at home, make sure that the cat does not scratch or lick the ointment at the affected area.

Folk methods of treatment

Since a person is accustomed to experiencing folk methods of treatment during various infectious and fungal diseases, he tries to do the same with an animal.

By studying the reviews, you can find recipes using herbal decoctions, hydrogen peroxide, ointments based on natural ingredients. Perhaps some of the recipes worked well, but most likely, this happened at the initial stage of infection of the cat with a fungus, or the owner only managed to muffle the symptoms of the disease.

Treatment of the fungus without contacting a specialist

In addition to traditional methods of treatment, people find information on their own or simply go to the nearest veterinary pharmacy for medicine, buying it on the advice of a pharmacist. You should not do this, you will start the situation with the fungus in the pet even more by prescribing the wrong drugs to him, in the future this will lead to death.

Caring for a cat during an illness

During the period of treatment, it is allowed to treat her bed with antifungal drugs. Do not allow the animal to be with children, it is not recommended to take it with you to bed at night. Although many sources say that pet infections are not transmitted to humans, you still need to be careful. But do not forget to cheer up your pet in every possible way, talk to him, let's understand that everyone still loves him and takes care of him.

Prevention of fungal infections in cats

In order to protect your pet from fungal infections, you need to follow simple rules for caring for him. Change the water in the bowl as often as possible, do not leave the food in the open air, this will prevent microbes penetrating through the windows in the apartment from settling on food.

Many owners prefer to bathe cats, as well as comb them for a long time with a special brush. Cats may love water themselves, but be careful when using shampoo when bathing a cat, you risk leaving it without a natural protective layer, that barrier and lubrication that is always present on the skin. The same applies to frequent combing, in the process you can injure the surface of the cat's skin. Even subtle skin lesions can lead to accidental infection.

Ear fungus in cats can be prevented by infrequent cleaning of the ears. The more often and more intensively you try to rid your pet of earwax using cotton swabs, the more you remove the protective layer that does not allow harmful microorganisms to enter the ear canals.

Check with your veterinarian about vaccinations against re-infection with the fungus. You may have to do several injections at regular intervals.

during illness

Particular attention should be paid to the cat's diet. It is strictly not recommended to feed the animal with the following products:

meat and fish, not subjected to heat treatment;
raw eggs;
flour products;
smoked, fried, spicy, salty foods;
food from the table of people.

Purchase special food with the addition of vitamins and trace elements at the pet store. Food can be bought both dry and in the form of canned food.

Personal hygiene when caring for a sick animal

It should be remembered that when caring for a sick pet, you need to observe personal hygiene, wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water after each contact, and it is better to use disposable gloves, they can be found in any pharmacy.

Most cat owners are aware of only one fungal disease that can threaten their pets - in everyday life it is called ringworm. The correct name for this disease is microsporia, and its symptoms, manifested in the form of skin areas where the hair looks like short-cut, are reflected in a more common disease -.

There are a lot of fungal diseases that cats suffer from. According to the places of damage to the cat's body, experts divide them into two types. The most well-known diseases that affect the skin and its mucous membranes are yeast and microsporia (ringworm).

The second type includes diseases that affect only the internal organs. These diseases are called systemic. All diseases caused by fungi are able to spread rapidly, as their pathogens are extremely tenacious. Fungal diseases can occur not only in cats. People get sick of them too.

In order for cat owners to avoid possible infection with fungal diseases from their pets, you should know the rules that must be followed when seeing symptoms of the disease in an animal.

Ringworm(scientific name - microsporia) fungal disease, often found in representatives of the cat family. It is easily transmitted to people who come into contact with a sick animal. It is important to know that a person can get sick even when cleaning places where a sick cat is usually located.

With many skin diseases, a pet may develop areas of skin that are devoid of hair. However, the manifestations of ringworm in a cat have signs that make it possible to visually determine the diagnosis of the disease. If there are places on the cat’s body that are devoid of hair, having the shape of a circle, the edges of which are “decorated” with a red ring, then a visit to the veterinarian should be made.

Do not carry the cat in your arms, it is best to use a carrier to transport it to the clinic. You can put your pet in a basket, wrapping it in a thick cloth or oilcloth. A visit to the veterinarian is mandatory, because only a specialist is able to confirm the presence of the disease with the help of tests and choose the right treatment.

The main analysis that can establish an accurate diagnosis is the study of skin scrapings taken from a suspicious place on the skin of a cat.

There is another diagnostic method - when ultraviolet radiation is directed to a sick animal, its skin begins to glow with a greenish color. However, if the pet has a black coat, this method does not work.

A cat that has a caring owner who provides her with good care, including high-quality nutrition, saturated with essential vitamins, will definitely have good immunity. It is the immune system that will protect her from the disease in case of contact with a sick animal.

If the pet does get sick, then the disease will proceed in a mild form. To cure it, it will be enough to use an antifungal ointment in the affected areas. Another way to treat ringworm is to wash your cat with miconazole shampoo.
A severe form of the disease, during which spots of the affected skin not only lose their hair, but also become covered with weeping scabs and pustules, usually affects cat babies who have not yet had time to get full immunity.

Seriously ill with ringworm cats that have previously had diseases that have led to a violation of the immune system. In this case, the veterinarian prescribes a full course of treatment, including not only external antifungal ointments, but also medicines used for oral administration.

Prevention of fungus in cats

The main danger of fungus in cats is the long life of its pathogens. Therefore, even after a pet is completely cured of this disease, there is a possibility of a relapse that occurs upon contact with an environment where fungal spores still live.

To avoid the return of the disease, it is necessary to thoroughly disinfect all rooms where the pet is. The place for his sleep requires special attention - the bedding must be destroyed. All items belonging to the cat - a tray, food bowls, toys, should be treated with Clorox, or sodium hypochlorite in a dissolved state.

The owner of the cat needs to take care of his health, as ringworm is easily transmitted to humans. To avoid the disease, contact with a sick animal should be limited for all households, and pet care should be carried out with gloves.

All clothing that the animal may come into contact with must be boiled in Clorox.

You should know that most often ringworm affects cats, which by nature have weak immunity. Most owners of breeds such as Munchkins, Sphynxes and Exotics believe that if their pets are not outside, then the risk of disease is minimal. However, we should not forget that the fungi that cause ringworm can get into the house along with outdoor shoes.

Systemic fungal diseases

Systemic fungal diseases are not very common in cats. Sometimes manifestations of such infections are observed in cats who have recovered from diseases that required the use of antibiotics and steroid drugs. With prolonged use of such drugs, they destroy the natural microflora of the stomach in a cat, which becomes the beginning of the spread of a fungal infection.

In cats that have a diet that is insufficient to saturate them, in the absence of the required amount of proteins and vitamins, exhaustion may occur. This state of the cat's body can not only cause a loss of immunity, but also contribute to the development of fungal infections. Some animals initially have low resistance to diseases of this species.

When determining the type of such fungal infections, veterinarians use various diagnostic methods that are possible only in clinics equipped with modern equipment.

The most dangerous types of systemic fungal diseases

Among the systemic diseases caused by fungal infections, the following types of diseases are most common:

Cryptococcosis- Caused by a yeast-like fungus. A cat suffering from cryptococcosis develops coughing, sneezing, breathing is difficult, and spotting is sometimes noticeable in the nostrils.
Late treatment of the disease sometimes leads to the development of meningitis and death of the animal. There is a skin type of the disease. The back of the nose may swell in a cat, and nodules appear under the skin, which later fill with pus.
Treatment of cryptococcosis is prescribed by a veterinarian based on the research. Experts consider this disease one of the most dangerous fungal infections. Its treatment is complex and lengthy.
Histoplasmosis- experts in fungal infections consider this disease the most insidious, as its signs are disguised as symptoms characteristic of other diseases. Histoplasmosis is characterized by a lack of appetite in a cat, which is accompanied by rapid weight loss.
above normal, the general weakness of the animal is obvious. In the future, the cat becomes noticeable lesions of the eyes and skin. The disease can be treated only at an early stage. Therefore, even one of these symptoms requires an immediate visit to the veterinarian.
Blastomycosis- you should know that not only cats suffer from this disease, which causes damage to the respiratory system, skin, eyes and brain. It is extremely dangerous for people and dogs. The drugs used to treat this disease are highly toxic. Humans are rarely infected with blastomycosis from cats, much more often the disease is transmitted by a dog bite. However, protective gloves must be used when caring for a sick cat.