Diagnosis and a Successful Treatment in Feline Dermatophytosis

Background: Feline dermatophytosis is a superficial fungal infection associated with alopecia and skin lesions in kittens. Management may include topical antifungal therapy alone or in combination with systemic treatment. Aim: This case series describes the diagnostic findings and clinical responses to two lesion-based treatment protocols. Methods: Ten previously vaccinated kittens aged 3–4 months, presenting with pruritus and focal or generalised alopecia, were assessed. Diagnostic procedures included clinical examination, acetate tape impressions, skin scrapings, Wood’s lamp examination and fungal culture on Sabouraud’s dextrose agar. Treatment was selected according to lesion extent. Kittens with fewer than four lesions received miconazole nitrate–chlorhexidine gluconate shampoo and topical coconut oil. Kittens with more than four lesions received pulse itraconazole therapy for eight weeks together with lime sulphur dips. Results: All ten kittens demonstrated apple-green fluorescence on Wood’s lamp examination. Microscopy of affected hairs showed altered shaft appearance, skin scrapings revealed no mites, and fungal cultures demonstrated dermatophyte macroconidia. Kittens treated topically for localised disease were reviewed weekly and showed complete clinical recovery within four weeks. In kittens with more extensive lesions, recovery was assessed through reduced lesion severity and clinical resolution after the combined regimen. Conclusions: These observations illustrate a lesion-based approach to diagnosis and clinical management. The small sample and absence of a comparator group or documented follow-up negative fungal cultures preclude conclusions about relative treatment efficacy.