A cat’s fungus can appear regardless of communication with the outside world; an animal can become infected with it through food or in the presence of open wounds on the body. Often, pets have reduced immunity, which their owners are not even aware of. A cat may have problems with the intestines, urinary tract and kidneys, and the respiratory tract. Infection can be both the cause of such diseases and accompany them. Consider the concept of "fungus in cats", the symptoms and treatment you will also find in the article.
Symptoms of the fungus
Signs of a fungal infection in cats can manifest themselves in different ways, symptoms can be both obvious and confirmed only by taking an analysis. Until the animal is accurately diagnosed, limit its communication with other pets.
If a cat has a fungus, the symptoms may be as follows:
- combing the affected area longer than usual;
- fungus in the ears of cats is accompanied by active shaking of the head, while the ears are usually pinched;
- passive state;
- refusal of food;
- cough.
Another disease may have the same symptoms, so you should not leave them unattended, visit your veterinarian.
Skin fungus in cats is a common concept of infection, some symptoms are easily confused with another disease, so consult your veterinarian for help.
Blood, urine, feces will be taken from the pet, a complete diagnosis will be made and treatment will be prescribed, depending on the severity of the fungal infection.
Risk group
An absolutely healthy cat that does not leave the house can also become infected with a fungus. However, there is a certain risk group, which includes:
- pregnant and lactating cats;
- an animal that has recently suffered from diseases of various organs;
- cats periodically living outside the apartment;
- pets that regularly eat raw food;
- animals with weakened immunity;
- thoroughbred cats.
Types of fungal infections
Consider the most common forms of fungus:
- Histoplasmosis is a fungus transmitted through the air, i.e. by inhalation. The infection affects the respiratory tract, lungs, and from there through the blood vessels the fungus spreads throughout the body and affects the intestines, spleen and liver. Signs of damage may include: loss of appetite and a sharp decrease in body weight, apathy, cough, diarrhea, intestinal bleeding. The disease must be treated at an early stage, otherwise antifungal drugs will have to be used for a very long time. Also, during the period of the disease, the cat must be given as much clean water as possible, since dehydration can occur when refusing feeding, which will aggravate the situation.
- Cryptococcosis is a fungal infection that is caught by cats by inhaling spores of contaminated air. This variety of fungus was found in bird droppings, as well as in the soil. It affects the nasal cavity, scalp, eyes. The disease is easily distinguished among others by signs: nosebleed, swelling in the nose, tightness in the nasal cavity, nodules under the skin filled with watery or purulent fluid, frequent sneezing. In case of damage to the central nervous system by a fungus, the cat has convulsions, partial paralysis, and blindness. If the disease has become severe or the owner has delayed the time of treatment, the cat may undergo surgery to remove the seals from the nasal cavity and subcutaneous nodules. At the same time, antifungal therapy is prescribed in parallel.
- Rhinosporidiosis is a fungus in cats, the treatment and symptoms of which are similar to cryptococcosis, but it is slightly easier to carry by cats. The skin and nasal passages are affected through the formation of ulcerative nodules, which are constantly growing. They can only be removed surgically, in the future the cat receives antifungal therapy.
- An ear fungus is the most famous infection, often when not treated, it becomes a chronic stage. It is difficult to confuse an ear fungus in a cat with any other; by the behavior of the animal you will understand that it is bothering it. The cat continually pulls its paw to scratch in the ear, while doing this with caution, because it experiences pain due to the formation of crusts and subcutaneous blisters filled with pus. Also, signs are shaking his head and tilting to the side. Sulfur can be liberated abundantly from the ears, it must be carefully removed without penetrating deep into the ear canal. Show the pet to the doctor immediately, in addition to symptomatic therapy, he will most likely prescribe immunomodulating drugs. Unfortunately, the fungus can penetrate the middle ear, and this is fraught with inflammation of the brain and death.
- Mycetoma - a disease that affects the subcutaneous tissue and the skin itself, in severe cases affects the bones of the animal. The fungus looks like granules or grains spreading over the body of an animal. Basically, such granules are located on the extremities of the paws, new formations can grow and appear.
- Candidiasis is a fungus that affects the mucous membrane of the oral cavity, skin. Represents a white plaque or wounds covered with white scales. It occurs with prolonged treatment of cats with antibiotics, infectious diseases of the intestines, lungs, and bladder.
- Mycosis is a fungal infection to which cats with weakened immunity are most exposed. Pathogens are in the air, water, settle on the grass, as well as the clothes of the owner. Symptoms appear as redness of the skin, spots form on the abdomen, genitals, ears. The cat begins to actively drop hair, dandruff appears.
According to the above description, the fungus can be recognized in cats, photos of the infected animal will help to determine the disease at least approximately.
Fungus treatment
So, you have found a fungus in a cat, what to treat? Therapy should be carried out immediately. Doing this yourself is not recommended; take the animal to the nearest veterinary clinic. The doctor will examine the cat, take a smear of the affected area of the body. It happens that the analysis result has to wait several days. In this case, symptomatic treatment is prescribed, pet care instructions are given.
Sometimes the treatment is quite difficult, the cat will need to be brought to the droppers and injections.
Varieties of antifungal drugs
Each type of fungus is treated with a specific drug in compliance with the regimen and dosage. Consider the means used to treat fungus:
- "Ketoconazole" - an antimicrobial drug in the form of tablets, is prescribed for the treatment of cryptococcosis.
- "Amphotericin" - a group of antibiotics, is available in the form of ointment and powder for the preparation of a solution. It is used to treat candidiasis, cryptococcosis, histoplasmosis.
- "Clotrimazole" is an antifungal ointment for topical use, applied to affected areas of the animal’s body. Used as therapy for candidiasis.
- "Potassium iodide" - acts as an antiseptic and antifungal agent. Sold in powder form for solution preparation.
- "Amoxicillin" is an antibiotic used in cases of damage to internal organs: kidneys, liver, lungs.
When treating at home, make sure that the cat does not comb and lick ointments at the lesion sites.
Alternative methods of treatment
Since a person is used to experiencing folk methods of treatment during various infectious and fungal diseases, he tries to do the same with an animal.
Studying reviews, you can find recipes using decoctions of herbs, hydrogen peroxide, ointments based on natural ingredients. Perhaps some of the recipes worked successfully, but most likely, this happened at the initial stage of infection of the cat with a fungus, or the owner managed to only muffle the symptoms of the disease.
Fungal treatment without contacting a specialist
In addition to traditional methods of treatment, people find information on their own or simply go to the nearest veterinary pharmacy for a medicine, buying it on the advice of a pharmacist. Do not do this, you will run the situation with the fungus in the pet even more, prescribing the wrong preparations to it, in the future this will lead to death.
Cat care during illness
During the period of treatment, it is allowed to treat its berth with antifungal drugs. Do not allow the animal to be with children, it is not recommended to take it to bed with you at night. Although many sources say that pet infections are not transmitted to humans, you still need to be careful. But do not forget to cheer up your pet in every possible way, talk to him, let’s understand that everyone loves and cares about him.
Prevention of fungal infections in cats
In order to protect your pet from fungal infections, you need to follow simple rules for caring for him. Change the water in the bowl as often as possible, do not leave food in the open air, this will prevent the microbes that enter through the windows in the apartment from settling on food.
Many owners prefer to bathe cats, and also comb for a long time with a special brush. Cats may love water themselves, but be careful when using shampoo when bathing an animal, you risk leaving it without a natural protective layer, that barrier and lubrication that is constantly present on the skin. The same applies to frequent combing, in the process you can injure the surface of the skin of the cat. Even invisible skin damage can lead to accidental infection.
Ear fungus in cats can be prevented by cleaning the ears infrequently. The more often and intensively you try to rid your pet of earwax with cotton swabs, the more you remove the protective layer, which does not allow harmful microorganisms to penetrate the ear canals.
Check with your veterinarian about taking vaccinations against reinfection with a fungus. You may need to make several injections at regular intervals.
Cat nutrition during illness
Particular attention should be paid to the cat's diet. It is strictly not recommended to feed the animal with the following foods:
- meat and fish that have not been cooked;
- raw eggs;
- flour products;
- smoked, fried, spicy, salty foods;
- food from the people’s table.
Get in the store for animals special food with the addition of vitamins and minerals. The food can be bought both dry and canned.
Personal hygiene when caring for a sick animal
It should be remembered that when caring for a sick pet, you need to observe personal hygiene, wash your hands thoroughly with soap after each contact, and it is better to use disposable gloves, they can be found in any pharmacy.