Cat lichen in humans. Is it possible to get infected from a cat? Mycosis - fungal diseases in cats

Does your furry pet have flaky skin, lost its luster, or dandruff? At the same time, the smell of pus emanates from the cat, and it is unpleasant for you to stroke it, not to mention taking it in your arms or, according to tradition, falling asleep under the sweet purr? Unfortunately, all of the above suggests that your cat has a fungal infection on initial stage.

If you found blisters and small ulcers filled with liquid on the skin of an animal, then skin diseases began to progress.

Fungus: causes of formation

The most favorable and comfortable environment for the fungus are:

a fresh wound, a scratch on the skin of an animal;
excessive care, expressed in frequent appointments baths and combing;
perfectly clean ears of the animal.

If you are manic about cleanliness, then you should not shift it to the animal. A cat, like any other predator, must have a protective fatty layer on the skin, as well as wax in the ears, which prevents the formation of pathogenic organisms.

How to treat a fungus?

Fungal infections are serious diseases. Do not let the disease take its course and self-medicate. After all, many types of fungus can be transmitted to humans.

IN veterinary clinic the doctor will take samples from your cat for research. They will show exactly what type of fungus your animal has, and how exactly it can be cured. A week later, the specialist will prescribe antifungal drugs, as well as immunostimulating substances.

Recommended processing sleeping area cats, as well as a bowl for food and water with a solution of sodium hydrochloride, which is sold in any pharmacy. Thanks to right approach with treatment, you can defeat the fungus forever.

There are two types of fungal diseases in cats.

The first type affects the skin and mucous membranes, it includes diseases such as: ringworm and yeast stomatitis. The second affects exclusively the internal organs, such diseases are also called systemic. Spores are transmitted by airborne droplets and through infected skin. Fungi are very tenacious, they do without water for a long time, and do not disappear under the influence of high temperatures.

In cats, systemic diseases are very rare, most often malnourished animals suffer from them. Antibiotics and steroids can cause similar diseases. They can completely change the microflora of the cat's stomach and start the spread of a fungal infection. Animals with low resistance to fungal infection are susceptible to this disease. To detect a systemic fungal disease, veterinarians use various methods examinations: biopsy, X-ray examination and many others. A sign of a fungal disease may be the absence of a positive therapeutic effect, after full course antibiotic therapy. Unfortunately, systemic fungal disease cannot be cured with conventional antibiotics. It can be cured only by specialists, in well-equipped veterinary clinics.

There are such fungal diseases of cats:

Cryptococcosis

This disease is very common in cats and is caused by yeast-like fungus. Basically, middle-aged cats suffer from cryptococcosis. The disease enters the body by airborne droplets when a cat inhales harmful fungal spores. There are a lot of them in the ground, among bird droppings. High probability ill with cryptococcosis have cats with poor immunity so try to give your pets more vitamins. The disease itself is divided into two types - nasal and cutaneous cryptococcosis. Half of all fungal infections are due to nasal cryptococcosis.

The symptoms of this disease are as follows: cough, shortness of breath, sneezing, bleeding in the nostrils.

If treatment is not started on time, the infection can reach the brain and cause death due to meningitis.

Cutaneous cryptococcosis accounts for 25% of all diseases. Very often in cats, the back of the nose begins to swell. Sometimes the animal has nodules under the skin, from which pus then begins to flow. Treatment of cryptococcosis should be started as early as possible, as this is one of the most dangerous fungal diseases. Treatment should be prescribed by a veterinarian. Oral antifungals such as ketoconazole are usually prescribed in such cases. This disease is treated for a very long time.

About diagnosing skin diseases in cats

Histoplasmosis

This fungal disease was first recorded in the central states of the United States. Fungal spores were found in polluted, nitrogenous soil. This land was contaminated with bat excrement, manure, and droppings. This is the most insidious fungal disease. As practice shows, in most cases it develops secretly. Main symptoms: poor appetite, fever, fast loss weight, general weakness organism, sometimes the cat shows signs of damage to the eyes or skin. Unfortunately, it is possible to cure a cat of histoplasmosis only in the early stages of the disease. Therefore, when the first symptoms are detected, you should immediately contact your veterinarian.

Sporotrichosis

It arises from fungal spores that are found in the soil. Infection occurs in two ways - through damage to the skin, or by airborne droplets. This disease affects mainly cats. The disease develops on a damaged area of the skin, on the muzzle, and sometimes on the tail. During illness, hair falls out on the affected areas of the skin. Sometimes, sporotrichosis affects the internal organs, liver and lungs. An animal can be completely cured only if the disease has not caught internal organs.

The best treatment for sporotrichosis is potassium iodide.

Besides good results give ketoconazole and itraconazole. If the disease has affected the internal organs, then you need to use amphotericin B. These drugs are very toxic, so you do not need to use them yourself. It is recommended to consult a veterinarian, and in no case do not try to treat the animal yourself.

A person can become infected with sporotrichosis through contact with inflamed areas of the skin of a cat. Therefore, contact with a sick cat should be minimized, and rubber gloves should be used when caring for it.

Aspergillosis

This type of fungus is very common in a rich organic compounds soil. It is most commonly found in decaying plant remains. Cats are most commonly affected by this fungus. low immunity. The symptoms of aspergillosis are very similar to those of cryptococcosis and histoplasmosis. Treatment of this disease is extremely ineffective. Basically, the veterinarian prescribes antifungal drugs.

Blastomycosis

This fungus lives in soil that is contaminated with manure or bird droppings.

This disease, in addition to cats, is also susceptible to people and dogs.

Very often blastomycosis affects the respiratory organs, skin, eyes and brain. This disease is very dangerous for humans. It is best treated with amphotericin B. In recent years, ketoconazole has been successfully used to treat blastomycosis. The main difficulty in the treatment of this disease lies in the very high toxicity of these drugs. The probability of human infection from a cat is not great, but it is better to be careful. Contact with a sick cat is possible only in protective gloves. Also, there are many cases of human infection after a dog bite.

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A fungus in a cat can appear regardless of communication with outside world, the animal can become infected with it through food or in the presence of 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, complete diagnostics 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 strikes Airways, lungs, from there through blood vessels the fungus spreads throughout the body and affects the intestines, spleen and liver. Symptoms may include loss of appetite and a sharp decline body weight, apathy, cough, diarrhea, intestinal bleeding. The disease must be treated early stage, otherwise antifungal drugs will have to be used for a very long time. Also during the period it is necessary to give to drink as much as possible clean water, 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. She strikes nasal cavity, scalp, eyes. The disease is easily distinguished among others by signs: bleeding from the nose, the presence of swelling in 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. Deleted 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. Take your pet to a doctor immediately, except 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 affecting the subcutaneous tissues and the skin itself, in severe cases 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 - a fungus that affects the mucous oral cavity, skin. Represents white coating or sores covered with white scales. Occurs with long-term treatment of a cat with antibiotics, infectious diseases of the intestines, lungs, bladder.
Mycosis - fungal infection, which is most susceptible to immunocompromised cats. pathogenic microorganisms are in the air, water, settle on the grass, as well as the clothes of the owner. 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" - 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" - antifungal ointment for local 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 man is accustomed to experiencing folk ways treatment during the period of various infectious and fungal diseases, then he tries to do the same with the 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

Apart from folk methods 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 process her bed 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 caring for him. Change the water in the bowl as often as possible, do not leave the food on outdoors, this will prevent microbes that enter 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. 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 intensely you try to rid your pet of earwax by using cotton swabs, the more you remove the protective layer that does not allow harmful microorganisms enter the ear canals.

Check with your veterinarian about vaccinations against reinfection 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.

Many breeders are so accustomed to their cat constantly rubbing and scratching their ears that they take this behavior for granted. But it's not. Itching in this area can be a sign of many diseases, some of which are very dangerous, if not for life, then for the health of the animal - for sure. Such symptoms can be caused, for example, ear fungus in cats.

Practicing veterinarians have long concluded that fungal pathologies in cat ears are most often caused by one of two types of pathogens: either Malassezia pachydermatis, or (which is much rarer) candida albicans. Accordingly, the disease is called malassezia or candidiasis.

Let's look at Malassezia pachydermatis first. This is a very non-specific pathogen in every sense of the word. In fact, Malassezia does not even belong to the "classic" fungi, but to yeast microorganisms. But that's not what makes her special. The fact is that this yeast fungus in normal conditions not only does not cause any diseases, but is a real symbiont.

Its layer covers the surface of the skin of even healthy animals, preventing other microflora from penetrating into its thickness. Accordingly, it is natural protective cover. But sometimes it happens that harmless yeast “mutate”, turning into a pathogen. inflammatory pathology fungal etiology.

The reasons for this are quite simple: strong and prolonged, long-term use of antibiotics and / and anti-inflammatory corticosteroids at home, without the supervision of a veterinarian. These drugs, being very useful and even indispensable in the fight against infectious diseases, can play a bad joke on the animal. It is for this reason that they are recommended either to be changed, or to take breaks in use.

As for Candida albicans, it is quite a pathogenic fungus, without any symbiotic "hands". True, it rarely affects the ears. Candidiasis is much more typical of the mucous membranes respiratory organs. However, against the background of extremely long-term use of antibacterial agents and the same anti-inflammatory corticosteroids, ear diseases develop quite often.

Ear fungus symptoms

Signs of ear damage are distinguished by a number of specific signs that are not easy to miss.

The symptoms in these cases are as follows:

Bending over your pet, you will surely feel a sharp and extremely bad smell. So, with Malassezia, it can resemble the “aroma” of old socks.
Constant scratching and scratching of the ears is characteristic.
An unpleasant-looking and even more unpleasant-smelling exudate may be discharged from the ear passages.
The auricles can become very reddened, their swelling is possible.
The animal frantically shakes its head (splattering exudate around itself), or walks, strangely tilting it to the shoulder.
Even with light palpation of the ears and nearby tissues, the animal shows visible nervousness and even aggression, which indicates a pain reaction.
Changes in behavior such as apathy or irritability.

Note that ear diseases in cats are common, but far from always they are caused only by a fungus.

It is believed that in practice there are no more than 6% of pure "fungal" otitis, in other cases they are associated with ear mites and inflammations of a bacterial nature.

Causes of ear fungus

Once again, we note that “out of the blue” the fungus will not “break through” the immunity of a healthy cat. In cases of fungal pathologies, you should always think about what exactly was the root cause:

Finally, one should not forget about long-term use antibiotics or corticosteroids, but we have already written about them above.

Foreign bodies and trauma. The stubble of old (last year's) grass is especially dangerous. Firstly, it perfectly injures the ears by itself. Secondly, on the particles of old grass there is great amount fungal spores. Combination of trauma and foreign body = almost unambiguous development of bacterial or fungal (or fungal immediately after bacterial) infection. If your cat regularly walks outside, check the condition of his ears just as regularly.

pathology. deficiencies or surpluses various hormones- Very dangerous reason fungal pathologies. Hormones thyroid gland, glucocorticoids synthesized by the adrenal glands and sex hormones - all of them not only directly affect fungal diseases ears (more precisely, increase the likelihood of their occurrence), but also on the health of the entire skin.

Diagnostics

With staging accurate diagnosis problems often arise. “By eye” it is impossible to determine what exactly caused the infection - is it fungi, or bacteria, or just an allergy (it may well turn out that all three factors are to blame). Simply put, high-quality diagnostic studies are needed.

Often veterinarians use an otoscope, which is necessary for a visual assessment of the condition of not only the ear canals, but also eardrums. It can be used to identify tumors, foreign bodies, growths of a fungal nature. Smears and scrapings are taken (and in difficult cases a biopsy is done), the materials of which are used for microscopy, cytology, seeding on nutrient media, etc.

A careful history and complete examination of the animal can help determine what triggered the fungal infection. IN doubtful cases, as well as with insufficient equipment of the clinic, the diagnosis can be made according to the result of treatment. So, if there is no particular positive dynamics after prescribing antibiotics a wide range actions, it is possible with full confidence to suspect the presence of a fungal pathology.

Treatment of fungus in cats

Treatment, contrary to popular belief, is not limited to antifungals alone. We have already written about the rarity of purely "fungal" infections. Antibiotics are used to neutralize bacterial infections that accompany almost 100% of cases of fungal pathologies.

Glucocorticoids such as dexamethasone are often used to reduce inflammation. Finally, if blood biochemistry revealed serious breach hormone levels, replacement therapy is prescribed.

For the destruction of yeast, the following drugs are used: amphotericin B, flucytosine. Econazole and clotrimazole have also shown good results. " Folk remedies» presented salicylic acid. Griseofulvin and ketoconazole are also used. The most high-quality (and relatively low-toxic) agent is econazole in the form of 1% drops.

In case of allergies, it is necessary to prescribe antihistamines by combining them with antifungal drugs. Sometimes corticosteroids are needed. With fungal inflammations provoked by an abundance ear mites, special attention should be paid to the cleanliness of the ear canals.

Their presence is indicated by a dry, dark, crumbly coating in the ear, resembling coffee grounds. Without their destruction, it will not be possible to cope with fungi. To thoroughly clean the cat's ears, you can use any veterinary drops intended for treatment.

Difficulty dealing with secondary bacterial infections. Their presence is often indicated purulent exudate. The usual fungus in the ears of a cat is rarely accompanied by its appearance. In such cases, it is necessary to clean regularly ear passages using a solution of soda, broad-spectrum antibiotics are additionally prescribed.

It is necessary to consult a veterinarian more often, since combined fungal-bacterial infections seriously affect general condition animal.

We also note that with severe damage to the ear canal, there may be a need for surgical intervention.

Regardless of the specific underlying cause of a fungal ear infection, it is highly recommended to keep your ear canals clean on a regular basis.

The most favorable and comfortable environment for the fungus are:

a fresh wound, a scratch on the skin of an animal;
excessive care, expressed in frequent bathing and combing;
perfectly clean ears of the animal.

Weakened immunity.
Favorable conditions for the development of micromycetes.
Suppression of microorganisms that inhibit fungi.

Weakened immunity

For the degradation of the body's defenses, the following circumstances are necessary:

hereditary predisposition.
Unbalanced diet.
Infection.
Stress.
Chronic non-communicable diseases.
Injuries.

Favorable conditions for the development of micromycetes

Moisture, heat and microscopic defects in the skin are necessary for the development of fungi. These conditions arise for the following reasons:

Free range. Cats fight, and any weeping wound is a breeding ground for the fungus. Animals lick defects, moisturizing the surrounding skin and creating an environment favorable for micromycetes.
Excessive care. Weekly bathing with thorough combing destroys the protective greasy layer of the skin and coat, creates a humid environment and causes microtrauma. Frequent cleaning ears leaves the pet without a protective layer that prevents the development of micromycetes.

Suppression of microorganisms that inhibit fungi

This happens during treatment. various diseases. Long-term use of antibiotics and steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs kills bacteria that are direct competitors to fungi. Not having natural enemies, micromycetes begin to multiply uncontrollably.

The reasons for the development of malassezia in cats is a decrease in the level of immunity caused by the following factors:

infectious diseases;
helminthiases;
hormonal disorders;
poisoning;
temperature effects;
exhaustion;
unbalanced diet;
trauma;
mechanical or chemical damage skin;
allergies.

In kittens, fungal diseases of the ears often develop during the period of weaning and during the transition to artificial feeding. Therefore, you should try to minimize the stress factor, to ensure good nutrition and a high hygienic level of maintenance of babies.

Finally, we should not forget about the long-term use of antibiotics or corticosteroids, but we have already written about them above.

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

Cryptococcosis is 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.
Body temperature 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.

How and how to treat foot fungus in children

The danger of childhood mycosis
Risk factors
Main symptoms
Treatment Options
ethnoscience

A common disease mycosis or fungus in children is only slightly less common than in adults. Reasons for its occurrence childhood does not become smaller, and the active behavior inherent in children only increases the risk of infection. Non-compliance with the rules of personal hygiene, wounds, abrasions on the skin, which easily loses its protective properties due to diseases - this set of factors makes the fungus on the toes of a child not only a common, but also a dangerous disease for health.

The danger of childhood mycosis

The causes of a fungal disease in children include an extensive list of factors, some of which cannot be prevented and prevented.

Various hazards are mechanical damage skin on the leg. Especially if it happened in a place where a person with a fungal infection was recently. Subject to a series external conditions it retains the ability to infect a person throughout the whole year.

A serious danger of foot fungus in a child is for children with diabetes. sweating with high content glucose in the secretions, which is characteristic of this disease, is an ideal environment for mycosis.

Prevent fungus in a child with diabetes or other dangerous disease that increase the risk of developing mycosis is quite difficult. This requires constant control the condition of the skin, fingernails and toenails in children in order to notice the symptoms of impending danger in time.

Risk factors

Healthy children are at a lower risk of developing a fungal infection. Regular neglect of the main risk factors in a short time will allow you to detect the fungus between the toes, on the nail plate or elsewhere. Parents are obliged to ensure that the baby is protected from mycosis and the causes that cause it. The fungus occurs as a result of such, insignificant at first glance, factors:

Wearing uncomfortable, tight or breathable shoes. Shoes made of artificial materials are considered especially harmful. In it, the leg sweats a lot - and the dark, humid environment is an ideal place for the development of athlete's foot.
When choosing shoes in a store, you need to measure them in your own socks. The fungus on the legs in children at the initial stage is usually not diagnosed, and its destructive actions is already doing. It is not a fact that the legs of the previous person trying on shoes were completely healthy.
After an illness, immunity in children is always weakened, so attention to the condition of the skin should be increased.
Public places where you can walk barefoot - zones increased risk. Pool, beach, showers - often become a source of various diseases.

To prevent foot fungus in children, it is usually enough to explain to them the danger and forbid walking barefoot in potentially dangerous areas. But remember that due to age, children cannot fully understand the degree of danger.

Main symptoms

To begin treatment of foot fungus, having found the first signs of the disease in your child, should be immediately. fungal infection has sufficiently recognizable symptoms that do not allow it to be confused with something else. Two main ones stand out among them:

The disease leads to the formation of scales on the epidermis, especially noticeable between the fingers. Such scales, remaining in the shoes, cause infection of the legs and can provoke the primary development or recurrence of mycosis.
The skin is modified, blisters, erosion appear. Often the epidermis changes its natural pinkish color to yellowish. The intensity of the pathological color and the variant of the shade depend on the type of fungus that caused the disease.

In addition, very often children begin to complain of burning, itching in the foot area, and sometimes pain when walking. This set of symptoms is alarm signal and involves an immediate appeal to a dermatologist. Treatment of fungus on the feet in children is best done under the guidance of a doctor, since the development of infection leads to grave consequences for the child's body. In addition, they suffer greatly skin- ulcers and blisters turn into deep, inflamed cracks that interfere with walking.

Treatment Options

The treatment of fungus in children begins with a mandatory visit to a specialist. The reason for this lies in the variety of types of fungal infection that threaten children's body. Each of the types of mycoids is effectively eliminated by a certain drug, which has a noticeably weaker effect on other varieties. The choice of the drug is carried out individually on the basis of medical tests.

The complexity of choosing how to treat the fungus in the initial stages of infection is biggest problem of those that threaten sick children. Parents who turned to the pediatrician in time will only have to follow his recommendations and observe the recovery. More complex medical cases, especially if the infection has entered the blood, require immediate medical treatment.

Diversity available drugs from the fungus and features of the main active substance can be confusing when choosing an ointment. Therefore, it is better to make a choice on the recommendation of a pediatrician. Or change the drugs you buy until the next one has the expected therapeutic effect.

ethnoscience

Traditional folk medicine, which allows you to eliminate or prevent foot fungus in a child, involves the use of special baths in most recipes. There are a huge number of such recipes, but the most common among them are:

Soda. Treatment with baking soda is widely used in folk medicine to combat many infectious ailments. Fungal infection, tonsillitis, stomach diseases - the basis of the recipes is a cleansing and antibiotic effect baking soda. In children, the treatment of feet from the fungus with its help can be carried out different ways. Some recipes involve the manufacture of foot baths with soda, others - pastes based on it.
salt baths and vinegar. The main effect of both components is the destruction of pathogenic microorganisms.
Milkweed decoction. A popular folk remedy against mycosis. It is prepared from 300 grams of milkweed, which is steamed in a water bath for half an hour in a glass of boiling water. The resulting broth is filtered and added to the bath.

Measures to prevent the development of mycosis:

carefully disinfect toys, nipples, personal hygiene items used by the baby;
try to explain to the baby what kind of danger awaits him, do not let him touch homeless animals on the street;
prohibit older children from walking barefoot in public places;
personal hygiene items must be kept clean and have only one owner;
to care for infected nails and skin, use a separate manicure set, which is then thoroughly disinfected;
hold a regular preventive examination skin covers.

Contacting a pediatrician is the best way to dispel any doubts about this or that redness. If they appear, you should not postpone a visit to a specialist, because First stage fungal infection is treated very simply. And the subsequent stages threaten not only the skin and nails, but also the health of internal organs.

Tags: Warts, Inflammation, Hyperhidrosis, Fungus, Skin, Treatment of fungus, Corns, Corns, Edema and tumors, Psoriasis, Diabetes, Cracks

Ringworm (scientific name - microsporia) is a fungal disease that is 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 have areas of skin devoid of hair. However, the manifestations of a cat's lesion with ringworm 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 method of diagnosis - by sending ultraviolet irradiation on a sick animal, its skin begins to glow greenish color. However, if a pet has a black coat this method does not work.

A cat that has caring owner, providing 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 still gets sick, then the disease will proceed in 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 the cat with miconazole shampoo. A severe form of the disease, during which patches of 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 internal use.

How to recognize mycosis?

Fungus in cats - signs and symptoms of the disease

Signs of mycotic lesions vary, but most often there are symptoms of skin inflammation. It becomes dull, loses elasticity. Mycoses affect the entire skin or only the ears, muzzle, as well as the interdigital space and claws. First formed small pimples, which turn into exudate-filled vesicles - vesicles.

Not all mycotic lesions are accompanied by signs of scabies. But in similar situations fungi weaken the immune system, making the animal defenseless against contagions, mainly of viral origin.

With the classical development of the disease, dandruff appears. The cat has a bad smell. When defeated hair follicle the hairs break off, as if they were trimmed. Hence the name: Ringworm.

If the fungus settles in the ear, the animal worries, shakes its head, rubs the organ with its paws. If inflammation spreads to the brain, the prognosis is poor.

You should not start treatment on your own: medications will mask the signs of the disease and make it difficult to diagnose, so you need to apply for veterinary care. In order for the fellinologist not to get infected himself, he will have to contact with his pet in latex gloves, and transfer it in a special container.

At the first stage of the disease, the fungus in the ears of a cat is manifested by reddening of the outer ear canal accompanied by severe itching.

the affected areas are covered with a black-brown coating, which has an unpleasant sour smell;
outflow of serous exudate from the ears;
gluing and hair loss, as well as swelling of the upper layer of the skin in places where exudate flows out.

When the affected areas are infected with pathogenic microflora, the outflows take on a serous-purulent character. The cat shows signs of depression, shakes its head, constantly lowers it forward, scratches itchy places. An unpleasant specific odor emanates from the animal, due to the oxidation of fats.

When Malasseziasis is complicated by purulent otitis media, the cat rises general temperature body, she refuses to feed, becomes lethargic and inactive.

Signs of ear damage are distinguished by a number of specific signs that are not easy to miss.

The symptoms in these cases are as follows:

Leaning over your pet, you will surely feel a sharp and extremely unpleasant smell. So, with Malassezia, it can resemble the “aroma” of old socks.
Constant scratching and scratching of the ears is characteristic.
An unpleasant-looking and even more unpleasant-smelling exudate may be discharged from the ear passages.
The auricles can become very reddened, their swelling is possible.
The animal frantically shakes its head (splattering exudate around itself), or walks, strangely tilting it to the shoulder.
Even with light palpation of the ears and nearby tissues, the animal shows visible nervousness and even aggression, which indicates a pain reaction.
Changes in behavior such as apathy or irritability.

Note that ear diseases in cats are common, but far from always they are caused only by a fungus.

The concept of "fungus in cats" includes a group of diseases caused by yeast and mold microorganisms.

Cats suffer from mycosis not only because of contacts with their fellow tribesmen. They can become infected through food or open wounds on the body. Fungal strains are quickly activated in the body of those animals that have problems with the intestines, kidneys, respiratory system and urinary canal.

Signs of fungus in cats

The clinical symptoms of fungus in cats manifest themselves in different ways. In some pets, they are obvious, in others they are invisible, recognizable by the responses of the tests. If there are other pets in the family besides the suspected animal, it is advisable to protect the cat from contact with them.

When mycosis is active, the following signs will not escape the attention of the owner:

Cough.
Sluggish state.
Refusal to eat.
Prolonged scratching and licking of a certain place.
Head shaking with ears flattened is a common symptom of ear fungus.

Since other diseases also occur with such symptoms, it is important to show your pet to the veterinarian in a timely manner and undergo a diagnosis. Differentiate mycosis from similar pathologies will help analyzes of urine, blood, feces. According to their answers, the doctor will determine the type of fungus.

The most common forms of fungal infection include:

Histoplasmosis - initially the animal becomes infected through the air. The infection then spreads through the blood different bodies cat and affects the liver, intestines, spleen. The pet's appetite worsens, diarrhea and intestinal bleeding open, and apathy occurs. Because of the reluctance to eat, the cat quickly loses weight and suffers from dehydration.
Cryptococcosis - infection occurs by inhalation of spores from contaminated air. The researchers found the causative agent of this disease in soil and bird droppings. Cryptococcosis affects the eyes, nasal cavity, and scalp. Its symptoms are manifested by nosebleeds, frequent sneezing, swelling on the bridge of the nose. If the fungus has affected the central nervous system, the cat's body will react with convulsions, blindness, and partial paralysis. For treatment running fungus in cats infected with cryptococcus, veterinarians perform surgery to remove subcutaneous nodules and seals in the nasal area.
Rhinosporidiosis - the clinic of the disease is similar to cryptococcosis, but it is more easily tolerated by cats. IN this case on the skin and in the nasal passages, ulcerative nodules are formed, prone to continuous growth. They are removed surgically, after which the cats are prescribed antimycotic therapy.
Mycetoma - the fungus affects the skin and subcutaneous tissues, sometimes the bones of the animal. Outwardly, the elements of mycetoma resemble granules and grains scattered over the body of a cat. They focus mainly on the paws.
Classic mycosis - inherent in cats with a weakened immune system. Pets are infected with fungus through water and air, grass, clothes of a host with mycosis. Mycosis in animals is manifested by reddening of the skin and spots in the abdomen, genitals and ears. Observed intense prolapse wool. Dandruff appears on the hairs.
Candidiasis - fungi are activated on skin tissue and oral mucosa. The pathological focus is covered with white plaque or scales. Cats get candidiasis as a result of long-term treatment antibiotics and if available infectious processes that flow in the lungs, bladder, intestines.

How to recognize mycosis?

The diagnosis is established by the results of the following studies:

Luminescent. Fragments of hairs in the ultraviolet light emitted by a Wood's lamp acquire a green glow. The method does not work on black cats.
microscopic. On scrapings from the skin, micellar threads are found or fungal spores are found on the affected hair. The method requires highly qualified diagnostician.
Cultural. The scraping material is sown on nutrient media and the growth of micromycete colonies is recorded. The method allows you to identify the causative agent of the disease within a week.

Many owners overestimate efficiency complex means, and therefore do not consider it necessary to conduct in-depth research: why pay extra money to a veterinarian when any pet store consultant will tell you how and how to treat a fungus in a cat? But in most cases, the purchased ointment helps only for the duration of the treatment, and as soon as the use of the product is stopped, the fungus again wins positions.

In addition, some types of mycoses are dangerous to humans. While it is rare for healthy adults to contract the fungus from pets, it is important to know if the infection poses a risk to family members.

Such an analysis is done for about a week, during which it is necessary to treat the affected areas with the recommended remedy. This is not a treatment, but the elimination of symptoms to make the cat feel better. Only based on the results of the tests, the doctor will decide how to treat the fungus in the cat. Add to local processing systemic drugs, sometimes very "heavy" - detrimental to the health of the pet.

Any, including ear fungus in cats, is treated tediously and for a long time. It is extremely important to strictly follow all the instructions of the doctor! Otherwise, the disease will return again and again. If the fungus does not respond to treatment or returns a few weeks after stopping treatment, you should consult an immunologist and start with recovery. immune system. In many cases, only the use of immunostimulants allows you to get rid of the fungus once and for all.

A veterinarian makes an accurate diagnosis based on:

inspection;
collection of anamnestic data;
results of laboratory researches.

During the initial examination, the doctor takes a scraping from the affected areas of the skin for microscopy. A particularly high concentration of the pathogen is found at the border with healthy skin. A thousandfold magnification of the microscope makes it possible to detect fungal colonies attached to hairs or epidermal cells.

To confirm the diagnosis, sowing on Sabouraud agar is carried out, where Malassezia develops in the form of clearly defined spherical colonies of light brown color. In parallel, the specialist determines the cause that caused the weakening of immunity and led to the activation of opportunistic microflora.

There are often problems with making an accurate diagnosis. “By eye” it is impossible to determine what exactly caused the infection - is it fungi, or bacteria, or just an allergy (it may well turn out that all three factors are to blame). Simply put, high-quality diagnostic studies are needed.

Often, veterinarians use an otoscope, which is necessary for a visual assessment of the condition of not only the ear canals, but also the eardrums. It can be used to identify tumors, foreign bodies, growths of a fungal nature. Smears and scrapings are taken (and in difficult cases a biopsy is done), the materials of which are used for microscopy, cytology, seeding on nutrient media, etc.

A careful history and complete examination of the animal can help determine what triggered the fungal infection. In doubtful cases, as well as in case of insufficient equipment of the clinic, the diagnosis can be made based on the result of treatment. So, if there is no particular positive dynamics after the appointment of broad-spectrum antibiotics, it is possible to suspect the presence of a fungal pathology with full confidence.

Treatment

Fungal infections are serious diseases. Do not let the disease take its course and self-medicate. After all, many types of fungus can be transmitted to humans.

At the veterinary clinic, the doctor will take samples from your cat for research. They will show exactly what type of fungus your animal has, and how exactly it can be cured. A week later, the specialist will prescribe antifungal drugs, as well as immunostimulating substances.

It is recommended to treat the cat's sleeping place, as well as a bowl for food and water, with a solution of sodium hydrochloride, which is sold in any pharmacy. With the right approach to treatment, you can defeat the fungus forever.

The therapeutic strategy is based on the use of symptomatic external drugs and systemic oral ones. The latter are used in cases where external means do not bring the expected result. Before starting treatment, the hair on the affected surface is cut off. To prevent the animal from neutralizing the effect of the medicine or being poisoned by its components, an Elizabethan collar is used.

The following medicinal forms of external antimycotic drugs are in demand:

Ointments.
Aerosols.
Shampoos.
bathing solutions.

Strict restrictions apply for all oral antifungals. They should not be used to treat pregnant or lactating cats.

The following medicines are in demand:

Irunin.
Intraconazole.
Fluconazole.
Ketaconazole.
Griseofulvin.

The fellinologist must be prepared for lengthy therapeutic procedures, the appearance of the following side effects at uncontrolled use medicines:

Anemia.
Violation of blood clotting.
Reaction from the digestive organs - diarrhea, vomiting, constipation.
Dysfunction of the liver, heart, lungs.
The occurrence of cystitis.
neurotoxicity.

Therefore, the use of oral antimycotics requires strict supervision by a veterinarian.

Prevention of fungal diseases of cats is to ensure reliable immunity, compliance with the rules of keeping with full feeding. There is conflicting information regarding antifungal vaccines - Microderma, Polivaka-TM, etc. They are not used to prevent fungal diseases in cats outside the Russian Federation.

Malassezia requires complex treatment, which includes:

suppression of fungal growth;
elimination of clinical signs;
deliverance of the animal from the root cause of the disease;
increasing the level of immunity.

Treatment regimen:

At ear shape malasseziosis, the ear canal should be cleaned 2 times a day with a 0.05% solution of Chlorhexidine. Manipulation must be carried out with the help of ear sticks, removing plaque only from visible areas of the skin in order to exclude damage to the hearing organs.

Good therapeutic effect gives the use of Otibiovin drops, which are instilled every 6 hours for the first 3 days, and after 8 hours for the next 7 days.

For a better distribution of the agent over the affected surface, it is necessary to lightly massage the base of the auricle.

As oral medication Ketoconazole, Fluconazole or their analogues are prescribed.

Relieve itching and prevent scratching with antihistamines. And the development of pyogenic microflora should be suppressed with broad-spectrum antibiotics.

In the case when the ear fungus provokes the development of purulent otitis, the veterinarian applies a local novocaine blockade.

Home use of folk remedies containing creolin, sulfuric and salicylic ointment, with Malassezia does not give positive result, but can cause toxic poisoning of the body when processing a large surface of the body.

Glucocorticoids such as dexamethasone are often used to reduce inflammation. Finally, if the blood biochemistry has revealed a serious violation of hormone levels, replacement therapy is prescribed.

For the destruction of yeast, the following drugs are used: amphotericin B, flucytosine. Econazole and clotrimazole have also shown good results. "Folk remedies" are represented by salicylic acid. Griseofulvin and ketoconazole are also used. The most high-quality (and relatively low-toxic) agent is econazole in the form of 1% drops.

For allergies, it is necessary to prescribe antihistamines, combining them with antifungal drugs. Sometimes corticosteroids are needed. With fungal inflammations provoked by an abundance of ear mites, special attention should be paid to the cleanliness of the ear canals.

Their presence is indicated by a dry, dark, crumbly coating in the ear, resembling coffee grounds. Without their destruction, it will not be possible to cope with fungi. To thoroughly clean the cat's ears, you can use any veterinary drops intended for the treatment of otodectosis.

It can be difficult to deal with secondary bacterial infections. Their presence is often indicated by purulent exudate. The usual fungus in the ears of a cat is rarely accompanied by its appearance. In such cases, it is necessary to regularly clean the ear passages using a soda solution, and broad-spectrum antibiotics are additionally prescribed.

We also note that with severe damage to the ear canal, there may be a need for surgical intervention.

Regardless of the specific underlying cause of a fungal ear infection, it is highly recommended to keep your ear canals clean on a regular basis.

ethnoscience

Prevention

The main danger of fungus in cats is the long life of its pathogens. Therefore, even after complete cure pet from this disease, there is a possibility of recurrence occurring upon contact with 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. special attention requires a place for him to sleep - 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 that naturally 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.