Fungal disease in dogs is among the most common infectious skin diseases. There are nearly 50 fungal species that can be observed in many living things, including humans. Complaints that are common in almost all living things exposed to fungi are as follows:
- Itching on the skin
- Redness
- Inflammation
- Rash
These organisms, which are difficult to eradicate, can continue to cause disease for a long time.
What Is Fungus Disease in Dogs?
Fungal disease in dogs is a skin disease caused by fungal infections. Fungi are microscopic organisms that can be found in the air or soil, and dogs can experience various skin deformities caused by different types of fungi. Fungal disease, which is much less common in dogs than bacterial and viral infections, is especially common in spring, as it increases with humidity. Fungal disease that can spread quickly and lead to bad results if not treated; It can be seen in dogs of all ages. Fungal infections can usually occur if the dog has a weakened immune system or has a skin injury.
What Are the Types of Fungus Disease in Dogs?
Fungal disease in dogs can be seen systemically and locally. Systemic fungal infections affect dogs' body systems, while localized fungal infections typically occur on the skin or nails. Treatment should be started as soon as the symptoms begin to appear. Common types of fungus in dogs are as follows:
- Microsporum canis: It is the most common type of fungus in dogs. It can cause damage to the upper layers of the skin of dogs, cats and humans. Especially in young dogs, it manifests itself with hair loss, skin redness, itching and crusting.
- Malassezia pachydermatis: This fungus species; especially in moist areas such as ears, armpits and legs. It can cause symptoms such as itching, redness, and a foul odor.
- Candida albicans: It usually causes infections in the ears, skin folds and nail bases of dogs. It may cause complaints such as itching, redness, blisters and sores.
- Trichophton mentagrophytes: Dermatophyte is the type of fungus that causes some of the cases.
How Fungus Is Transmitted to Dogs?
Dogs that come into contact with infected surfaces can become infected with fungal disease. These infections are usually transmitted by direct contact with fungal spores. In other words, direct contact of an infected dog with other cats, dogs or people is the primary and most important transmission route. Common modes of transmission of fungi that cause yeast infections in dogs are as follows:
- Direct contact of fungal spores: Fungal spores can be transmitted by contacting surfaces such as skin, nails or hair follicles directly.
- Contaminated soil, vegetation and materials: Fungal infections can also be transmitted through infected soil, vegetation and materials. Dogs can become infected by digging through soil that carries fungal spores or by chewing on plants or materials containing fungal spores.
- Other infected animals: Dogs can get fungal infections by coming into contact with infected animals. Cats, in particular, are common carriers of fungal infections.
- Inhalation of fungi: Some types of fungi can also be transmitted by breathing in or swallowing their airborne spores. These types of fungal infections are rarer, but they can cause respiratory infections in particular.
What are the Symptoms of Fungus Disease?
The reason for the variety of fungal complaints in dogs; the presence of a large number of fungal species and the appearance of symptoms in different forms specific to the type of disease in infected dogs. Although the complaints vary depending on the fungal species, the most common findings are as follows:
- Hair loss
- Dry, brittle or cracked nails
- Skin crusting
- Bacterial skin infections
Fungal disease can have very different symptoms in various parts of the body. Aspergillus, which can be found in nature and in rotten waste, causes a fungal infection called aspergillosis. Common symptoms are as follows:
- Drowsiness
- A bloody runny nose
- Sneezing
- Ulceration surrounding the nostrils
- Nose bleeding
Fungal disease is most evident on the skin. Symptoms that start on the skin can spread rapidly if left untreated and measures are not taken to prevent recurrence. The most common symptoms on the skin are as follows:
- Tendency to constantly lick a certain part of the body
- Bad odor in the area where the infection occurred
- Hair loss in the area where the fungus is located
- Redness and formation of wounds on the skin
If all these symptoms are not noticed and treated, the fungus can continue to spread and cause the development of different diseases.
How to Diagnose Fungal Disease?
The diagnosis of fungal disease in dogs can be made after clinical evaluation by the veterinarian, by choosing one or more of the following methods:
- Skin and coat examination: The veterinarian examines the dog's skin and coat for signs of a fungal infection. These symptoms include that the problem is caused by fungus; Symptoms such as red, scaly, blistered or itchy areas, hair loss, crusting, and a foul odor may be suspected.
- Fungal culture: At the request of the veterinarian, a fungal culture test can be performed by taking a sample from the dog's skin. This test will help determine the type of fungus and give detailed information about the severity of the infection.
- Biopsy: In rare cases, the veterinarian may perform a biopsy to evaluate the dog's skin for signs. This test is important to clarify the type and severity of the infection.
How to Treat Fungal Disease?
Treatment for fungal infections in dogs can vary depending on the type and severity of the infection. Treatment determined by the direction of the veterinarian; It is done by applying one or more of the following methods.
- Antifungal medications: Depending on the type of infection, the veterinarian may prescribe oral or topical antifungal medications. These drugs are used to treat infection and prevent re-infection.
- Bathing: In some cases, the veterinarian may recommend bathing the infected dog using a special antifungal shampoo or lotion. These baths should be done by the person who takes care of the dog at intervals required by the treatment. Purpose; It is to remove the fungus from the surface of the skin and help prevent the spread of infection.
- Environment cleaning: Fungal infections may recur due to the presence of fungal spores in the environment. For this reason, the veterinarian may also request the disinfection of the areas and items where the dog lives, along with the prescription.
- Diet: Some fungal infections are more common in dogs with compromised immune systems. Therefore, strengthening the immune system of the infected dog is one of the most important elements of fighting the disease. Strengthening the immune system is also possible with a great deal of adherence to a correct and healthy diet program.
- Surgical intervention: Although rare; Fungal infections can cause serious nail problems or other skin problems. In these cases, surgical intervention may be required under the direction of a veterinarian.
How Long Does Fungal Disease Treatment in Dogs Take?
Fungal infections usually take a long time to treat. However, regular veterinary check-ups, complying with the prescription and not disrupting the supportive treatments to be followed at home, if any, can shorten the recovery period.
Is Fungus Transmitted to Humans?
There are known zoonotic strains of fungal disease and can be transmitted from dogs to humans. In cases where the person or persons taking care of the dog suspects a fungal disease, it is recommended to consult a physician.
What Is Fungus Disease in Dogs?
Fungal disease in dogs is a skin disease caused by fungal infections. Fungi are microscopic organisms that can be found in the air or soil, and dogs can experience various skin deformities caused by different types of fungi. Fungal disease, which is much less common in dogs than bacterial and viral infections, is especially common in spring, as it increases with humidity. Fungal disease that can spread quickly and lead to bad results if not treated; It can be seen in dogs of all ages. Fungal infections can usually occur if the dog has a weakened immune system or has a skin injury.
What Are the Types of Fungus Disease in Dogs?
Fungal disease in dogs can be seen systemically and locally. Systemic fungal infections affect dogs' body systems, while localized fungal infections typically occur on the skin or nails. Treatment should be started as soon as the symptoms begin to appear. Common types of fungus in dogs are as follows:
- Microsporum canis: It is the most common type of fungus in dogs. It can cause damage to the upper layers of the skin of dogs, cats and humans. Especially in young dogs, it manifests itself with hair loss, skin redness, itching and crusting.
- Malassezia pachydermatis: This fungus species; especially in moist areas such as ears, armpits and legs. It can cause symptoms such as itching, redness, and a foul odor.
- Candida albicans: It usually causes infections in the ears, skin folds and nail bases of dogs. It may cause complaints such as itching, redness, blisters and sores.
- Trichophton mentagrophytes: Dermatophyte is the type of fungus that causes some of the cases.
How Fungus Is Transmitted to Dogs?
Dogs that come into contact with infected surfaces can become infected with fungal disease. These infections are usually transmitted by direct contact with fungal spores. In other words, direct contact of an infected dog with other cats, dogs or people is the primary and most important transmission route. Common modes of transmission of fungi that cause yeast infections in dogs are as follows:
- Direct contact of fungal spores: Fungal spores can be transmitted by contacting surfaces such as skin, nails or hair follicles directly.
- Contaminated soil, vegetation and materials: Fungal infections can also be transmitted through infected soil, vegetation and materials. Dogs can become infected by digging through soil that carries fungal spores or by chewing on plants or materials containing fungal spores.
- Other infected animals: Dogs can get fungal infections by coming into contact with infected animals. Cats, in particular, are common carriers of fungal infections.
- Inhalation of fungi: Some types of fungi can also be transmitted by breathing in or swallowing their airborne spores. These types of fungal infections are rarer, but they can cause respiratory infections in particular.
What are the Symptoms of Fungus Disease?
The reason for the variety of fungal complaints in dogs; the presence of a large number of fungal species and the appearance of symptoms in different forms specific to the type of disease in infected dogs. Although the complaints vary depending on the fungal species, the most common findings are as follows:
- Hair loss
- Dry, brittle or cracked nails
- Skin crusting
- Bacterial skin infections
Fungal disease can have very different symptoms in various parts of the body. Aspergillus, which can be found in nature and in rotten waste, causes a fungal infection called aspergillosis. Common symptoms are as follows:
- Drowsiness
- A bloody runny nose
- Sneezing
- Ulceration surrounding the nostrils
- Nose bleeding
Fungal disease is most evident on the skin. Symptoms that start on the skin can spread rapidly if left untreated and measures are not taken to prevent recurrence. The most common symptoms on the skin are as follows:
- Tendency to constantly lick a certain part of the body
- Bad odor in the area where the infection occurred
- Hair loss in the area where the fungus is located
- Redness and formation of wounds on the skin
If all these symptoms are not noticed and treated, the fungus can continue to spread and cause the development of different diseases.
How to Diagnose Fungal Disease?
The diagnosis of fungal disease in dogs can be made after clinical evaluation by the veterinarian, by choosing one or more of the following methods:
- Skin and coat examination: The veterinarian examines the dog's skin and coat for signs of a fungal infection. These symptoms include that the problem is caused by fungus; Symptoms such as red, scaly, blistered or itchy areas, hair loss, crusting, and a foul odor may be suspected.
- Fungal culture: At the request of the veterinarian, a fungal culture test can be performed by taking a sample from the dog's skin. This test will help determine the type of fungus and give detailed information about the severity of the infection.
- Biopsy: In rare cases, the veterinarian may perform a biopsy to evaluate the dog's skin for signs. This test is important to clarify the type and severity of the infection.
How to Treat Fungal Disease?
Treatment for fungal infections in dogs can vary depending on the type and severity of the infection. Treatment determined by the direction of the veterinarian; It is done by applying one or more of the following methods.
- Antifungal medications: Depending on the type of infection, the veterinarian may prescribe oral or topical antifungal medications. These drugs are used to treat infection and prevent re-infection.
- Bathing: In some cases, the veterinarian may recommend bathing the infected dog using a special antifungal shampoo or lotion. These baths should be done by the person who takes care of the dog at intervals required by the treatment. Purpose; It is to remove the fungus from the surface of the skin and help prevent the spread of infection.
- Environment cleaning: Fungal infections may recur due to the presence of fungal spores in the environment. For this reason, the veterinarian may also request the disinfection of the areas and items where the dog lives, along with the prescription.
- Diet: Some fungal infections are more common in dogs with compromised immune systems. Therefore, strengthening the immune system of the infected dog is one of the most important elements of fighting the disease. Strengthening the immune system is also possible with a great deal of adherence to a correct and healthy diet program.
- Surgical intervention: Although rare; Fungal infections can cause serious nail problems or other skin problems. In these cases, surgical intervention may be required under the direction of a veterinarian.