Dog Fungal Skin Disease

Dog fungal skin diseases are generally divided into Malassezia, Cryptococcus, and dermatophytes. The common diagnostic methods include Wood's lamp examination and skin microscopy. Clinical manifestations include skin and ear infections, moderate to severe itching, accompanied by regional or generalized alopecia, desquamation, and chronic skinlichenization, hyperpigmentation, and hyperkeratosis. Treatment includes baths with antifungal shampoos, topical or systemic antifungal drugs, and enhancing hair follicle nutrients. The general cure time is about 2 months, some are lifelong carriers, and the infectivity is very high.

How to use medication for fungal skin disease

If the area of dog skin fungal infection is small, only topical antifungal drugs are needed. Due to the hepatotoxicity of injectable and oral drugs, external drugs are preferred when the condition is not severe or worsening. It is necessary to combine weekly baths with antifungal shampoos. If the skin infection area is large, oral or injectable antifungal drugs may be necessary. During the oral antifungal drug use, liver function monitoring is crucial. It is also recommended to feed the dog prescription skin food long-term, which can help alleviate the outbreak of skin diseases.

Precautions when using medication

Be cautious not to let the dog lick the topical fungal drug, otherwise it will cause poisoning.
Monitor liver function indicators when using drugs for dogs with poor liver function.
Do not apply fungal drugs to wounded areas, as it can cause severe skin pain.
Consult a veterinarian before using the medication.

How to care for your dog

During treatment, it is best to put an Elizabethan collar on the dog to prevent scratching and licking.
Trim your dog's nails regularly to avoid scratching itself.
Summer is a high-risk season for skin diseases, so feed your dog some health supplements to enhance skin resistance.
Regularly apply external parasite control products monthly.