What drugs to use for dog ear fungal infection

The treatment principles for dog ear fungal infections include topical and systemic therapy. First, remove the hair around the infected area, clean off the excess skin cells and scabs, then apply topical sprays containing ingredients such as terbinafine. If the condition is severe or the fungus has spread widely, oral antifungal drugs containing itraconazole will be needed, along with topical shampoos with antifungal properties.

Canine ear fungal infections are caused by skin fungi such as Microsporum canis, Trichophyton mentagrophytes, and Trichosporon beigelii. The typical pathological changes are hair loss in circular patches, with central recovery, hence the nickname "copper coin fungus". Clinical manifestations include hair loss, increased skin scales, and well-defined focal or multifocal lesions on the infected skin. As the skin fungi also cause itching, dogs often scratch the affected area, leading to secondary bacterial infections. Clinical manifestations include skin redness, papules, and exudation.

It is difficult to diagnose skin fungal infections solely based on clinical symptoms, as there are other diseases that resemble them, such as staphylococcal folliculitis and tinea corporis. Specific diagnostic methods are needed, such as Wood's lamp examination, direct hair examination, and fungal culture.

Fungal culture has high specificity but is time-consuming, so broad-spectrum antifungal drugs are generally used first. If the treatment is ineffective, fungal culture is performed, followed by specific antifungal drugs. After diagnosis, if the infection is mild, topical drugs containing terbinafine are recommended. If the infection is severe, oral drugs such as those containing itraconazole should be taken. It is also necessary to clean the infected area by removing excess skin cells and secretions.