home Folk remedies Fungal diseases of cats: symptoms and treatment. Symptoms and proper treatment of fungus in cats. Factors that provoke ear fungus in cats

Fungal diseases of cats: symptoms and treatment. Symptoms and proper treatment of fungus in cats. Factors that provoke ear fungus in cats

Most cat owners know of only one fungal disease that can threaten their pets - in everyday life it is called ringworm. Correct name This disease is microsporia, and its symptoms, manifested in the form of areas of skin where the hair looks as if it were cut short, are reflected in the more common disease -.

There are a considerable number of fungal diseases that affect cats. Based on where the cat’s body is affected, 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 internal organs. These diseases are called systemic. All diseases caused by fungi can spread quickly, since their pathogens are extremely tenacious. Fungal diseases can occur not only in cats. People also get sick from them.

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

Ringworm(scientific name - microsporia) a fungal disease often found in representatives 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 areas where a sick cat usually is.

With many skin diseases Your pet may develop areas of skin that are devoid of fur. However, manifestations of a cat being affected by 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, shaped like a circle, the edges of which are “decorated” with a red ring, then you should pay a visit to the veterinarian.

You should not carry your cat in your arms; it is best to use a carrier to transport it to the clinic. You can place your pet in a basket, wrapping it in thick cloth or oilcloth. A visit to the veterinarian is mandatory, because only a specialist can use tests to confirm the presence of the disease and select correct treatment.

The main test that can establish an accurate diagnosis is the examination of skin scrapings taken from a suspicious area on the cat's skin.

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

Cat having caring owner providing her good care, including high-quality nutrition, rich essential vitamins, will definitely have good immunity. It is immunity that will protect her from disease in case of contact with a sick animal.

If the pet does get sick, the disease will progress in mild form. To cure it, it will be enough to use 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 patches of affected skin not only lose hair, but also become covered with weeping scabs and pustules, usually affects cat babies who have not yet acquired full immunity.

Cats who have previously suffered from diseases that resulted in impaired immunity are seriously ill with ringworm. In this case, the veterinarian prescribes a full course of treatment, including not only external antifungal ointments, but also medicines, used for internal use.

Prevention of fungus in cats

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

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

The cat owner needs to take care of his health, as ringworm is easily transmitted to humans. To avoid illness, you should limit contact with a sick animal for all household members, and care for your pet using gloves.

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

You should know that ringworm most often affects cats that naturally have weak immunity. Most owners of breeds such as munchkins, sphinxes and exotics believe that if their pets are not outdoors, then the risk of disease is minimal. However, we should not forget that the fungi that cause ringworm can enter the home 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 that have had illnesses that required the use of antibiotics and steroid drugs to treat them. At long-term use Such medications destroy the cat’s natural gastric microflora, which begins the spread of a fungal infection.

Cats that have a diet that is insufficient to satiate them, in the absence of the required amount of proteins and vitamins, may become malnourished. This condition 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 ways diagnostics, possible only in hospitals equipped with modern equipment.

The most dangerous types of systemic fungal diseases

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

Cryptococcosis- Caused by a yeast-like fungus. A cat suffering from cryptococcosis may cough, sneeze, have difficulty breathing, and sometimes have bloody discharge in the nostrils.
Delayed treatment of the disease sometimes leads to the development of meningitis and the death of the animal. There is a skin type of the disease. The cat's nasal bridge may swell, and nodules may appear under the skin, which later fill with pus.
Treatment for cryptococcosis is prescribed by a veterinarian based on research. Experts consider this disease one of the most dangerous fungal infections. Its treatment is complex and lengthy.
Histoplasmosis– specialists in fungal infections consider this disease to be the most insidious, since its symptoms are disguised as symptoms characteristic of other diseases. Histoplasmosis is characterized by a cat's lack of appetite, which is accompanied by rapid weight loss.
higher than normal, obvious general weakness animal. Subsequently, the cat's eyes and skin become noticeable. The disease can only be treated at an early stage. Therefore even one of specified 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. Medicines used to treat this disease are highly toxic. People rarely become infected with blastomycosis from cats; much more often the disease is transmitted by a dog bite. However, when caring for a sick cat, you must use protective gloves.

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

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

Let's look at Malassezia pachydermatis first. This is a very nonspecific pathogen in every sense of the word. In fact, Malassezia does not even belong to the “classical” mushrooms, but to yeast microorganisms. But that’s not what makes it special. The fact is that this yeast fungus normal conditions Not only does it not cause any diseases, but it is also a true symbiont.

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

The reasons for this are quite simple: strong and long-term, long-term use of antibiotics and/or anti-inflammatory corticosteroids at home, without veterinarian supervision. 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 from use.

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

Symptoms of ear fungus

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

The symptoms in these cases are as follows:

Bending over your pet, you will probably feel the sharp and extremely bad smell. So, with malassezia, it can resemble the “aroma” of old socks.
Characterized by constant itching and scratching of the ears.
An unpleasant-looking and even more unpleasant-smelling exudate may be discharged from the ear canals.
The ears may become very red and may become swollen.
The animal frantically shakes its head (spraying exudate around itself), or walks with its head strangely tilted towards its 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 they are not always caused only by a fungus.

It is believed that pure “fungal” otitis in practice occurs in no more than 6%, while in other cases they are associated with ear mites and inflammation of a bacterial nature.

Causes of ear fungus

Let us note once again that “out of the blue” the fungus has immunity healthy cat will not “break through”. In cases of fungal pathologies, you always need to think about what exactly was the root cause:

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

Foreign bodies and injuries. The stubble of old (last year's) grass is especially dangerous. Firstly, it perfectly injures the ears on its own. Secondly, old grass particles contain a huge number of fungal spores. The combination of trauma and a foreign body = almost unambiguous development of a bacterial or fungal (or fungal immediately after a bacterial) infection. If your cat regularly walks outside, check the condition of his ears just as regularly.

pathology. Deficiencies or excesses of various hormones are 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, they increase the likelihood of their occurrence), but also on the health of the entire skin.

Diagnostics

With production accurate diagnosis Problems often arise. It is impossible to determine by eye what exactly caused the infection - it is fungi, or bacteria, or just an allergy (it may well turn out that all three factors are to blame). Simply put, we need high-quality diagnostic studies.

Veterinarians often use an otoscope, which is necessary for visual assessment of the condition of not only the ear canals, but also eardrums. It can be used to identify tumors, foreign bodies, and fungal growths. Smears and scrapings are taken (and in difficult cases a biopsy is performed), 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 exactly was the “trigger” for the fungal infection. In doubtful cases, as well as when the clinic is insufficiently equipped, the diagnosis can be made based on the result of treatment. So, if there is no particular positive dynamics after prescribing antibiotics wide range actions, one can confidently suspect the presence of a fungal pathology.

Treatment of fungus in cats

Treatment, contrary to erroneously popular belief, is not limited to antifungal agents 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 the intensity inflammatory process. Finally, if blood biochemistry reveals a serious imbalance in hormone levels, replacement therapy is prescribed.

Used to kill yeast the following drugs: amphotericin B, flucytosine. Econazole and clotrimazole have also proven themselves to be effective. "Folk Remedies" presented salicylic acid. Griseofulvin and ketoconazole are also used. The highest quality (and relatively low-toxic) product 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. For fungal inflammations provoked by an abundance ear mites, Special attention It is necessary to pay attention to the cleanliness of the ear canals.

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

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

It is necessary to consult a veterinarian more often, since combined fungal and bacterial infections have a serious impact on general condition animal.

We also note that if the ear canal is severely damaged, surgical intervention may be necessary.

Regardless of the specific root cause of a fungal ear infection, we highly recommend keeping your ear canals clean on a regular basis.

Over-grooming your cat: frequent bathing with shampoo, constant ear cleaning cotton swabs, and other care procedures contribute to the development of fungi.

Fungus in cats manifests itself in various symptoms.

Some of them can be detected immediately, while others only after laboratory research.

If you suspect this disease, it is necessary to isolate the cat from contact with other animals until the diagnostic results are obtained.

If you suspect a fungus in cats, its symptoms should be as follows:

frequent and prolonged combing of a certain area;
ear fungus is characterized by frequent scratching and pressing of the ears, shaking of the head;
depressed state;
refusal to eat;
cough.

There are 2 types of fungus in cat breeds:

Formed on the skin and mucous membranes of an animal: ringworm and yeast stomatitis.
Systemic fungi that affect the internal organs of the cat.

Many people know first-hand what ringworm looks like. Distinctive Features it is a skin area without hair, rounded in shape, the edges of which have a bright red color.

With yeast stomatitis appears increased salivation, unpleasant odor from the oral cavity, the color of its mucous membrane changes, and bleeding wounds appear in the mouth.

Systemic forms of the fungus are very rare in cats.

These include the following types:

Important! Many fungal diseases do not cause cats special problems, but greatly reduce immunity. Because of this, the cat becomes susceptible to dangerous viruses.

Treatment of fungus in cats at home

If a fungus is detected in cats, treatment should be immediate.

First you need to contact a veterinarian, who will determine its type using laboratory tests and give correct guidance about how to treat fungus in a cat and what medications to use for treatment.

Sometimes the treatment is quite complex methods, which include injections and droppers.

At ringworm Usually they cut off the place of its formation with scissors and lubricate it with sulfur ointment, iodine or brilliant green.

Sometimes compresses are used to dry the lesion. Apply special food, With increased content vitamins to restore immunity.

Washing the cat with shampoos that contain miconazole and ketoconazole has a great effect in treating fungus. Use for 1.5 months, twice a week.

To prevent the occurrence of the disease, as well as to treat fungi, the vaccine is used as an injection. The most popular: Vakderm and microderm. Before using it, deworming is carried out.

Vaccination is contraindicated for kittens under two months and nursing cats.

The drug ketoconazole is used to treat cryptococcosis.

Amphotericin is used to combat candidiasis and histoplasmosis.

Clotrimazole ointment is used to treat the affected areas as a local remedy.

Potassium iodide is antifungal agent and antiseptic. It comes in the form of a powder from which a solution is prepared.

For damaged liver, lungs and kidneys, amoxicillin is used.

So, how can you cure a cat of fungus using folk remedies at home?

In this case, various substances are used as local wound treatment:

Mix one fly in the ointment and butter and applied to the site of infection.
Raw yeast dough is applied to the wound site.
Boiled peas are applied and fixed to the wound for several hours.
Celandine. The juice is squeezed out and rubbed into the wounds.

Is fungus dangerous for humans?

The fungus is not often transmitted to humans, but it does happen, and it is best to protect yourself from the disease.

Fungal spores are found on the animal’s fur, which it picks up on the street, from other animals, as well as from humans, which it can easily bring into the home.

Therefore, maintaining hygiene is of particular importance.

If fungus is detected in your cat, an immediate visit to the veterinarian is necessary, who will give you recommendations on how to protect yourself from infection.

If you have been bitten or scratched with its claws by an unfamiliar cat, you should immediately contact medical institution in order to eliminate accidental fungal infection.

Video

Look at the video for more nuances about this disease:

Have you noticed that your cat's nails are a strange color? Your cat probably has claw fungus. Many do not even suspect its existence, which leads to an uncontrollable situation. After removing or trimming a cat's claws, I highly recommend contacting your veterinarian for advice on caring for your cat's paws.

Your pet faces a fungal infection every day, but it hardly penetrates the animal's body. But when the fungus becomes visible, fungal infection affects areas of the cat's body from the inside. Fungal infection scientists sometimes call it onychomycosis. Penetration of the fungus inside indicates a weak immune system, internal diseases. But the fungus is not limited to one nail. At first it will hit him completely, and then it will spread to the entire paw, and maybe further. One of the main consequences of cat claw fungus is increased brittleness, which is called onychorrhexis. Onychorrhexis is a rather unpleasant phenomenon, although not fatal. Cat's claws are most susceptible to fungus in humid environments.

Signs and symptoms

Here are the symptoms of the middle stage of claw fungus in cats: the cat often licks and bites its paw, weakness, aggression, pain when walking.

Sit your cat on your lap (it doesn't matter whether it's belly up or down) and see if there are yellow, black or green crusts on its paws. Click on the point between the big and index fingers so that the cat shows its claws. Then they can be carefully examined for the presence of onychomycosis. But these are the most basic symptoms of claw fungus. There may also be swelling and redness around the claw, and a strange color to the claw. The cat may experience pain in the affected paw when walking.

Treatment

Treatment of claw diseases in cats is quite simple. In addition to diet and any procedures, the veterinarian can prescribe ointments that rid the cat of a specific fungus. The type of fungus is determined through tests and samples. Also, for claw fungus, the use of anti-inflammatory drugs is common.

Before treatment, it is necessary to thoroughly clean the paw to avoid reinfection. Wash your cat's paw in warm water and clean foreign bodies, including from broken claws. Basically, claw fungus is treated using the methods described above. However, in a very advanced situation, it is required surgical intervention- removal of claws. Please note that the fungus is contagious. Therefore, isolate other pets from the sick animal and be careful yourself.

Treatment of claw fungus in cats with folk remedies
In addition to the previously listed treatment methods, there are folk remedy which is practiced by some cat owners. To prepare it you need apple cider vinegar, hydrogen peroxide and warm water. Here are the approximate proportions: to 600 ml warm water add 50 ml of hydrogen peroxide and 50 ml apple cider vinegar. Dip the animal's paw affected by the fungus into the resulting mixture and hold it for 30 seconds, then you can remove it from the mixture and allow the paw to air dry. However this remedy not common due to low efficiency, but cat owners can take advantage of this if they wish folk recipe for the benefit of your pet.

Prevention

99% of cases of onychomycosis infection are caused by an injury to the paw. The cat may get it on its own, or the owner may have cut the nail incorrectly. To avoid this, you should have an idea of how to properly trim a cat's claws. You need to cut perpendicular to the nail, using special scissors. Avoid cutting along the inner nail, which has a different color. In inner nail there are many blood vessels And nerve endings. Cats with light-colored paws have white outer nails and pink inner nails. It's hard not to notice. In a cat with dark paws, it is possible to distinguish between the external and inner part heavier. You will have to focus on the shades and the cat’s reaction.

If blood comes from the claw, disinfect the wound and bandage it. Do not forget to watch how the wound heals in order to prevent fungus in time.

Belongs to the group of invasive ear diseases.

Visual symptoms characteristic of ear diseases.

It should be noted that visual symptoms for all types ear diseases cats have common:

Anxiety.
Pain on tactile contact with the ears.
Constant scratching of the ears with the forelimbs.
Purulent discharge.
Hyperemia.
Characteristic unpleasant odor.

More detailed picture diseases are detected through careful examination and clinical examination.

Video on how to clean a cat's ears

Inflammatory processes in cats in the ear and their types

Examination of the cat ear diseases veterinarian

Otitis is an inflammation of the ears. There are three types: external, middle and internal. All three types have an infectious background, but can be triggered by different factors.

Otitis externa

Neglected case purulent otitis from a street cat.

Inflammation outer surface ear is called different sources, therefore, before starting treatment, you should make sure that there is no invasive history - absence of mites, insect larvae. Accompanied by swelling, redness, itching, in difficult cases -.

The causes of infection are the following:

Mechanical damage - injuries, splinters.
Hypothermia.
Infections of bacterial or viral origin.
Fungal infection.
Layering of sulfur.
Allergy.

Treatment at home

Ear cleaning is mandatory when treating ear diseases.

Treatment is aimed at eliminating visual symptoms: cleaning, lubrication antibacterial ointment, applying a fixing bandage to prevent infection.

Apply antibiotics inside, . To ensure that mistakes are not made, the use of acaricidal agents is recommended. In difficult cases, when traumatic injury, resort to surgical care– elimination of pus by opening and washing the affected areas.

Otitis media

Inflammation of the middle ear - eustachitis - is a rare disease, caused by a complication of external otitis, with improper treatment, severe progression of the latter. Less commonly due to injury to the animal's head.

They also act as pathogens streptococcal, . The form of the course is catarrhal, purulent, with severe consequences, manifested by lifelong impairment of coordination and hearing loss.

Symptoms: lack of appetite, head tilt towards the affected area, swelling, discharge purulent exudate, increased temperature, distracted gaze, unsteady gait.

Treatment in the clinic

Treatment of this type is only in the clinic. Apply local anesthesia, in the form of novocaine blockade, disinfection of the diseased area: rinsing ear canal iodine solution, hydrogen peroxide, solution boric acid, applying anti-inflammatory ointments, in particular prednisolone.

Intramuscularly - antibiotics, antihistamines, fungicidal, antifungal.

Internal otitis

Inflammation inner ear– complicated consequences of external and medial otitis. The course of the pathology is severe, with clear signs: hearing loss, performance problems vestibular apparatus, refusal to feed, pain in the temporal part of the head on palpation.

Complications - lymphadenitis, accompanied painful sensations lower jaw. Paralysis facial area– a consequence of the development of neuritis. Help is complex, depends on elimination primary causes diseases.

Treatment under strict medical supervision

IN severe cases surgical intervention and drainage are required. The therapy is carried out by a veterinarian in a hospital setting. Strict control and supervision by a doctor is necessary.

Malassezia – yeast fungus in the ear

One of the symptoms yeast fungus the cat will have a “blackening” of the ear.

Yeast fungus - Malassezia– chooses habitat wet conditions, so the ears are most often affected. The pathology belongs to the mycotic type, has infectious nature. It is caused by the presence of fungal spores on the surface of the ear or on its mucous membrane.

It is unrealistic to determine the type of fungus at home, since the symptoms of fungal infections are very general character: dull coat color, peeling skin, unpleasant odor, presence of pustular wounds, watery blisters. Consultation recommended veterinarian, testing samples in the laboratory.

If a fungus is detected, the use of drugs is indicated local action: antifungal ointments. The course includes: antibiotics, probiotics, prebiotics, synbiotics, immunostimulants.

Hematoma in cats

Cats are hunters! Getting a hematoma is not a problem for them.

Occurs as a result of mechanical impact on skin covering ear, its mucous membrane. When the ear is injured, blood accumulates in the gap between the skin and cartilage tissue, forming a sensitive, painful when pressed, bloody compaction.

There is hyperemia and pain on tactile contact. Animal restless, trying to scratch his ear. Without treatment pain syndrome gradually disappears, but the swelling remains, thickens, the liquid is converted into inflammatory tissue, leads over time to a curvature of the shape of the shell.

When prescribing therapy, it is necessary to exclude possible root causes of hematoma: infectious, invasive, fungal diseases.

Traumatic hematoma is treated based on the advanced stage of the disease. Timely diagnosis ensures symptomatic therapy– use of anti-inflammatory ointments after removing exudate from the affected area, fixing the bandage.

Advanced or severe form requires surgical cleaning with sutures afterwards. Produced general antibacterial therapy: intramuscularly, orally.

Necrosis, ear plugs, neoplasms

The pathology is secondary, resulting from improper treatment or complications after otitis media, hematoma.

It is characterized by tissue necrosis, which, in the presence of an inflammatory process, turns into focal ulcers. Cartilage has dark color, becomes thin, the shape of the ear becomes distorted.

Only surgical help– removal of affected areas or complete amputation of the shell. Rehabilitation therapy: inpatient medical supervision, use of antibiotics, immunostimulants, local anesthesia.

Most often, the presence of wax plug is not big problem for a cat, but in some cases it can lead to inflammation. There is only one recommendation - carefully monitor your pet and clean the ears in a timely manner.

Neoplasms - sarcoma, fibroma. Diagnosed only clinical studies. Late diagnosis – deafness, death of the animal. Help - surgical removal tumors.

Ear scabies in cats

Ear scabies in a cat looks like this.

Very thorough cleaning of the ear from crusts and scabs is necessary.

Lack of treatment entails serious consequences: inflammation of the membranes of the brain, accompanied by convulsions and paralysis. Bottom line - death of an animal .

Recommended: thorough cleaning of the ear from crusts and scabs, treatment with acaricidal agents, antibacterial drugs, antifungal. Vitamins and immunostimulants are prescribed. It should be noted that treatment is carried out on both ears, even if one is affected.

Methods for preventing otodectosis are a set of measures aimed at eliminating contact with sick animals, monitoring sanitary and hygienic standards, general vaccination, and the use of Otodepin drops.