An Over View of Feline Dermatophytosis

Abstract

Dermatophytosis is a superficial fungal infection of hair and keratinized layers of the epidermis and is caused by keratinophilic and keratinolytic genera such as Microsporum, Trichophyton and Epidermophyton. It is an endemic infection in many countries throughout the world affecting companion animals (dogs, cats), domestic animals (calves), and laboratory animals (rabbits) as well as humans. In cats M. canis is responsible for approximately 98% of the observed dermatophyte infections in indoor cats, whereas cats carrying T. mentagrophytes are usually hunters, indicating that the natural source of this species is either the soil or rodent prey.