Microsporia is a type of fungal disease, which, alas, is not uncommon in dogs. In the people this disease (microsporia) was called "ringworm", since the affected areas resemble neatly cut "under the ground" areas.
Microsporia in animals
The disease is characterized by a sufficiently long incubation period - from 2 to 9 months, and by the nature of the clinical manifestation is superficial, deep and hidden. Carriers are sick animals, and also possible infection through infected items ( collar , litter). In dogs, as a rule, microsporia occurs in a superficial form. In this case, there is a loss or breakdown of the wool on the affected area and the formation of scales. Over time, in the absence of treatment, the affected area can become covered with a grayish-white crust. In addition to the above signs of microsporia in dogs, another symptom that accompanies this disease is an itch of varying degrees. Combing the infected areas with the dog helps to infect the skin areas that are not yet damaged.
Microsporia in dogs - treatment
At the first suspicions of microsporia, the dog should be shown to the veterinarian. The diagnosis will be made on the basis of a number of laboratory studies, one of which is the luminescent method, which makes it possible to distinguish microsporia from a disease such as trichophytosis (fungal affected hair has a peculiar luminescence in the ultraviolet rays, and no such glow is observed in trichophytosis). Also, the scraping from the affected area of the skin is also taken. In addition, the study of scrapings from the affected parts of the dog's body will also allow differentiating microsporia from various kinds of dermatitis, hypovitaminosis A, scabies.
To treat this fungal disease, various ointments - amikazole, sapisane, 10% nystatin ointment, Mikozolone or Mikoseptin can be prescribed. As a supporting therapy, multivitamins (tetravit, trivitamin) can be recommended.
It should be noted that vaccination is successfully used in the prevention of microsporia in serious nurseries where the attitude to the issue of breeding dogs of a particular breed is put on a professional basis.
It is very important when caring for a sick animal to strictly observe precautions - microsporia is contagious and can be transmitted from animal to person.