Skin fungus, also known as dermatomycosis, is one of the most common infectious skin diseases in cats. It resembles many other skin diseases in appearance and is therefore not always easy to diagnose. Many types of fungus are also transmissible to humans, meaning that it is a zoonosis.
Skin fungal diseases in cats are caused by spores (tiny, invisible particles) from various types of fungi. The majority of skin fungal diseases in cats are caused by the pathogen Microsporum (microsporia). Less common are trichophytes (trichophytosis), which are transmitted by rodents.
Microscopic, invisible fungal particles (spores) spread through the environment via the hair and skin flakes of infected animals. These spores are extremely resistant and can remain infectious in the environment for several years. Transmission usually occurs through direct contact between animals or via contaminated objects such as brushes and blankets. The risk of infection is particularly high in warm and humid environments, as the fungi can reproduce particularly well in this climate.
Although cats of all breeds and ages can be affected, there are certain risk factors that promote the development of a fungal skin disease. Young animals and cats with a weakened immune system are particularly susceptible. Persian cats and cats in breeding programs, at shows, or in shelters also have an increased risk of developing the disease. According to current research, there is also evidence of a genetic predisposition.
The umbrella term dermatomycosis describes all diseases caused by fungi growing on the skin. Dermatophytosis is a skin fungal disease caused by specific fungi and limited to the horny layer of the skin, the hair, and the claws. Dermatophytosis occurs almost exclusively in cats.
A fungal infection of the skin in cats can manifest itself in a wide variety of ways, which is why it is not always immediately recognizable. The first visible signs of the disease are usually itching, hair breakage, hair loss, dandruff, scabs, and claw inflammation. The coat of affected animals is often dull, and the intense itching causes the animals to scratch and bite themselves, inflicting minor injuries that can become infected with bacteria.
However, some animals, especially Persian cats, can also be carriers of the fungal infection and infect other animals or humans without showing any clinical symptoms themselves.
Due to the highly variable clinical picture, diagnosis is not always easy for the treating veterinarian. Although the preliminary report and general clinical examination may provide initial indications of a fungal infection, a definitive diagnosis can only be made after special further laboratory tests.
The most common skin fungus in cats, Microsporum canis, can be made visible using a Wood's lamp. However, only about 50 to 80% of these fungi produce metabolites that fluoresce under short-wave light, which means that the absence of fluorescence does not rule out a skin fungal disease.
The veterinarian may also take samples of hair and skin particles and examine them under a microscope to differentiate between different types of fungi. Occasionally, special fungal cultures must be created for a more accurate diagnosis. However, the cultivation and evaluation of these cultures takes about four weeks.
Although some fungal skin infections in young cats will clear up on their own, they should still be treated promptly to reduce the risk of infection for other cats. If there are several animals living in the same household, it is always advisable to treat them all.
Skin fungi are treated with special antifungal preparations depending on the type of pathogen. Your veterinarian will prescribe tablets to be administered orally, as well as ointments, creams, or washes for external treatment. In long-haired cats, it may be advisable to shave the coat to facilitate the application of washes or creams and increase their effectiveness. Treatment can sometimes be very lengthy and requires a lot of commitment on the part of the pet owner.
As skin fungi are also transmissible to humans, you should take special care with hygiene when treating your cat and always wear gloves and an apron when applying ointments or washes. It is recommended that you do not allow infected cats to sleep on the sofa or in bed. Children, pregnant women, and immunocompromised individuals should keep away from the infected animal and the contaminated environment. To ensure the success of the treatment, all items that come into contact with the cat must be washed regularly at a high temperature and treated with special disinfectants.
If the correct treatment plan and all hygiene measures are strictly adhered to, there is a good chance of complete recovery from the skin fungus. If treatment is stopped too early or hygiene is inadequate, relapses can occur quickly.
With proper hygiene, coat care, and regular veterinary checkups, fungal skin infections in cats can be effectively prevented. Regular special examinations for fungal skin infections are particularly recommended for cats in animal shelters or catteries, as animals can be carriers of the pathogen without becoming ill themselves.
In Germany, several vaccines are available for cats against microsporia or against microsporia and trichophytosis. Although vaccination does not prevent the onset of the disease, it significantly mitigates and shortens its course. However, preventive vaccination against dermatophytosis is not generally recommended. It is used as a preventive measure, particularly in high-risk environments such as breeding facilities or animal shelters. However, vaccination can also be used as an adjunctive therapy for skin fungal diseases to accelerate the healing of skin lesions. It should be noted, however, that the spores in the coat and the environment cannot be killed by vaccination and therefore still pose a risk of infection to other animals and humans. The minimum age for vaccination is ten or twelve weeks, depending on the vaccine. After a second vaccination two to three weeks later, vaccination protection lasts for nine months to a year. Your vet can send you a personalized vaccination schedule for your cat via petsXL, and you will automatically receive notifications when it is time to make another appointment.
It happens in the paddock or even in the stall: your horse injures itself and may be bleeding. What should you do? Is it just a small scratch, a bump, or even a huge, gaping wound? Do I need to call the vet, or can I treat it myself, and if so, how? How can I minimize the risk of injury in the future? Kicks, bites, falls, or foreign objects can cause cuts, puncture wounds, abrasions, bruises, contusions, or burns in horses, which may require veterinary treatment depending on their severity. The severity of an injury always depends on its location and the involvement of surrounding structures, such as muscles, tendons, or joints. As with humans, a distinction is made between covered and open injuries in horses. In covered injuries, the horse's skin is undamaged, which is why this type of injury is not always easy to detect. For example, a kick may have caused a bruise that we as owners may only notice when grooming or when the horse is lame. Damage to the skin is referred to as an open injury or wound. This results in bleeding of varying severity, but even here, smaller wounds can be overlooked due to the coat.
This little-known neurological disease of the spinal cord and spine mainly affects older, large dogs weighing 20 kg or more. The disease develops very slowly but is very painful for the dog and causes progressive paralysis in the hindquarters.
Periodic eye inflammation has been known for over 2000 years and is the most common eye disease in horses. It describes a recurring inflammation of the middle layer of the eye (uvea) in horses. In veterinary medicine, the term "equine recurrent uveitis" (ERU) is now used. The disease occurs repeatedly, initially at longer intervals and later at shorter intervals, and can lead to significant visual impairment. Since the affected horses often went blind from this disease and it was suspected that it was related to the phases of the moon, it was also commonly referred to as moon blindness.
Skin diseases are one of the most common reasons for visits to the vet, alongside gastrointestinal disorders. Pyoderma refers to purulent infections of the skin caused by various bacteria. In healthy animals, the skin provides good protection against infections through various defense mechanisms. There is a balance between the normal microflora of bacteria, yeasts, and parasites on the one hand, and the formation and breakdown of skin cells and their waste products on the other. The microflora feeds on the waste products of the skin and at the same time prevents the colonization of infectious germs.
In centuries past, looking into a horse's mouth played an important role, albeit primarily to determine the animal's age. Today, the focus is more on dental care and dental disease in horses. Dental hygiene is a very important aspect of keeping horses healthy. Regular veterinary checks of the mouth and teeth should be carried out at least once a year. The annual check-up and routine dental treatment can be carried out by any equine practice. In the event of specific dental problems or complications, it is advisable to consult a practice that specializes in equine dentistry. Typical dental problems in horses include tartar and the formation of hooks and edges on the molars due to uneven wear. These issues can be quickly resolved during routine treatment, preventing further damage. But how can we, as horse owners, tell if our horse has dental problems?
Hoof cancer is a chronic disease of the hoof corium. Unlike hoof abscesses, hoof cancer does not cause individual cells to die, but rather leads to uninhibited growth of individual parts of the hoof corium, accompanied by a foul-smelling discharge and a lack of keratinization of this tissue. The term "hoof cancer" was coined due to the appearance of this excessively grown, cauliflower-like tissue, although it is not a form of cancer.
It is a dramatic sight for us as owners when our own horse suddenly cannot bend its hind leg and can barely walk. In many cases, the kneecap dislocation resolves itself and the horse runs normally again. If the dislocation does not resolve, a veterinarian must remedy the situation by skillfully manipulating the horse and leading it backwards or sideways so that it can walk normally again. A brief digression into the anatomy of the knee joint provides a simple explanation for this phenomenon.
It is often a dramatic sight for owners and riders: from one day to the next, your horse suddenly shows severe lameness. The affected limb is increasingly rested or no longer placed properly on the ground. Occasionally, but not always, the affected hoof feels warmer than the other hooves. It is obvious that your horse is in severe pain and you suspect the worst. However, it is often just a hoof abscess. The colloquial term "hoof abscess" is misleading, as it is not an abscess or tissue growth, but a purulent inflammation in the form of an abscess. In such a case, please call a veterinarian immediately who can examine your animal, confirm any suspicions and treat it immediately.
If your horse is rubbing itself more than usual, you should take a closer look, as itching can be a key symptom of many skin diseases or allergies in horses. However, some metabolic disorders can also cause itching in horses. This condition is very stressful for your animal and should therefore be examined and treated by a veterinarian as soon as possible.
Rotz, often referred to as skin rot or skin worm, is one of the longest known diseases affecting horses. It is a bacterial, epidemic infectious disease characterized by purulent skin and mucous membrane ulcers and a mostly chronic course. While the disease is still widespread in Asia, Africa, and South America, it has been considered eradicated in Germany since 1956, although it was detected in a horse for the first time again in 2015. Due to the danger it poses to humans, the disease is still notifiable.
You probably often see your velvet-pawed friend licking themselves thoroughly, vigorously working on one spot or another of their fur. Cats groom themselves. Nevertheless, it is useful to help them with their fur care, not least to find and remove any parasites. The coat change will also be more pleasant for your cat if loose hairs are brushed out regularly. Especially with certain breeds such as Angora or Persian cats, you should stick to a daily routine to keep your pet well-groomed and healthy.
Are outdoor cats or indoor cats healthier and happier? What are the respective advantages and disadvantages, and what suits my cat and my lifestyle best? Here you will find useful information to help you make your decision.
