Fungi On Cats
In the environment, there is a wide variety of fungi that can be on the ground or in organic matter . They are heat resistant, live there for long periods and can enter your pet’s body through the airways or a skin wound. Care must be taken as fungi in cats can proliferate quite easily.
Problems caused by fungi in cats can be divided into those that affect only the skin, such as ringworms. , or, worse, when the fungus produces a systemic disease that expands to the liver, lungs, brain and different organs.
In this article, we’ve shared everything you need to know about fungus in cats.
What diseases can fungi cause in pets?
At illnesses systemic caused by fungi in general , are present in cats that have a chronic disease or are malnourished. Many of the illnesses are difficult to recognize and treat.
To diagnose them, depending on the case, radiographs, biopsies, cultures and blood tests are used. In general, they affect cats, with the exception of sporotrichosis, which can also affect humans.
another disease It’s The cryptococcosis , which is caused by a yeast-like fungus called Cryptococcus neoformans. It is very common in cats, both young and adult.
It is acquired by inhaling spurs found in the ground highly contaminated by bird droppings, especially pigeon droppings. The likelihood of infection is greater if the feline has an immune deficiency.
Other Fungal Diseases in Cats
THE Histoplasmosis is a disease caused by a fungus that is very common in the central United States. , in the Great Lakes region, the Appalachian Mountains, Texas and the Mississippi and Ohio Valleys.
In these areas, the ground has a lot of nitrogen, and this condition facilitates the growth of Histoplasmosis capsulatum.
At majority From cats, Histoplasmosis is a disease that causes fever, loss of appetite , weakness, weight loss and lameness. The eyes, liver, respiratory system and skin may also be affected.
Treatment can be improved with antifungal medications such as itraconazole. Despite treatment, most of those affected die from this infection, less those who are diagnosed with a mild respiratory problem.
On the other hand, sporotrichosis can also damage your pet’s health. . It is an unusual skin infection caused by the sporothrix schenkii fungus spores found on the floor.
These spurs usually enter the feline through a skin wound. Other forms of infection are by ingestion or inhalation.
The disease is more common in males, who generally walk on large tracts of land. In general, it is very common in the north and center of the United States, in valleys, rivers and coastal areas.
You cats that contract this disease, they can present a sore on the skin that can appear on the paws, face or tail. And the hair on the nodule falls out, leaving a moist, ulcerated surface.
Once the disease is diagnosed, the cat can be treated, either with ketoconazole or itraconazole, for a period of 1 to 2 months.
Finally, another of the commonly known diseases is The dermatophytosis. This fungus normally grows on the cat’s skin, nails and fur. It is very contagious and can also affect humans.
In general, they are found in felines less than one year old. Symptoms are small auras that form in the feline, with flaky textures and perhaps a little swollen.
Some treatments to stop the disease from progressing in cats are itraconazole, terbinafine, lufenuron, just to name a few.
