Successful treatment of dermatophytosis in cats and dogs requires concurrent systemic antifungal therapy and topical whole-coat disinfection — neither alone is sufficient. Veterinary Derm…+1

Itraconazole is the systemic drug of choice for cats, with terbinafine as the established alternative. Journal of Feli… Itraconazole is the only FDA-approved oral treatment for cats with Microsporum canis. Journal of Feli… Griseofulvin is not recommended due to adverse event risk, and ketoconazole and fluconazole are less effective options. Journal of the…

For topical therapy, twice-weekly whole-body drenches are the standard approach. Lime sulfur (LS) and enilconazole have been the recommended topical drenches for shelter cats, both providing residual antimicrobial activity on the haircoat after application. Journal of Feli… Enilconazole body rinse or miconazole with or without chlorhexidine are the topical treatments recommended by the ABCD guidelines. Journal of Feli… Veterinary LS is no longer available in Canada except in compounded form, and enilconazole is no longer available in North America. Journal of Feli… A 2% miconazole / 4% chlorhexidine shampoo is an established topical alternative. Acta Tropica Topical terbinafine 1% cream applied twice daily achieved mycological cure in cats within 20.3 ± 0.88 days, compared to 28.4 ± 1.14 days with econazole nitrate 1% cream; econazole was also associated with skin redness and irritation at the application site. Polish Journal…

Mycological cure is defined as two consecutive negative fungal cultures, consistent with the standard endpoint used in clinical trials. Journal of Feli… Treatment must be continued until this endpoint is reached, not merely until clinical lesions resolve.

In shelter and cattery settings, systemic and topical treatment must be accompanied by intensive environmental decontamination. Journal of Feli… Arthrospores can survive in the environment for approximately one year and are transmitted via direct contact, fomites, brushes, clothing, and dust particles. Journal of Feli…

Prognosis is generally good, particularly in young animals. Dermatophytosis is self-limiting and will resolve without treatment, but treatment is recommended to shorten the course of infection and limit zoonotic transmission. In Practice Spontaneous remission can occur over weeks to months. Journal of the… Deep lesions such as pseudomycetomas are more difficult to resolve and may require surgical intervention. Journal of the… Immunosuppression — whether from underlying disease or medications — can complicate any case. Journal of the…

Anti-dermatophyte vaccination is not recommended. A commercial killed M. canis vaccine was licensed in the USA for cats but did not produce more rapid cure of established infection compared to unvaccinated controls and was withdrawn from the market. WSAVA Global Gu…

Would you like to go deeper on itraconazole dosing protocols — specifically pulse versus continuous dosing schedules for cats?