Fungal Infection Of The Skin in Cats

Fungal infection of the skin can cause a variety of symptoms, depending on the type of fungi present. Here are some symptoms seen by veterinarians most often in cats:

• Redness of skin
• Scaly skin
• Hair loss
• Greasy skin
• Skin lesions that can emit a foul odor
• Thick skin
• Hyperpigmentation of the skin in patches
• Swollen lymph nodes
• Organized lesions known as granules
• Nodules underneath the skin 
• Lesions inside the nose
• Fever
• Lack of energy
• Depression
• Draining masses on the head, chest and limbs

Types

There are many types of fungal infections that can affect your cat’s skin. The following is a list of some of the most common in domestic cats:

• Malassezia pachydermatis
• Cutaneous sporotrichosis
• Disseminated sporotrichosis
• Rhinosporidiosis
• Phaeohyphomycosis
• Mycetomas
• Cryptococcosis
• Coccidioidomycosis
• Candidiasis

The cause of fungal infections of the skin in cats depends on the type of fungi responsible for the infection. Here are some things that doctors have identified as the primary causes of these skin infections:

• Flea allergies
• Cancer of the pancreas or liver
• Exposure to high humidity and heat
• Contact with infected feces
• Exposure to infected soil
• Inhalation of fungal spores outdoors
• Contamination of wounds

Your veterinarian will need some information from you to diagnose your cat’s condition. It is important to let him know when you first noticed symptoms and if you cat takes any medications for pre-existing health conditions. After taking a medical history, your doctor will examine your cat thoroughly. He will observe his mannerisms, gait and neurological function. Your cat’s heart rate, respirations and temperature will also be taken and recorded. 

Your doctor will likely take a blood sample to see if infection is present. A biochemical profile and complete blood count or CBC will be sent to an outside laboratory for testing. A urine sample will be taken for urinalysis, as well. If your cat has lesions on his skin, your doctor may take a skin scraping. He will examine it underneath a microscope to determine if yeast is present. Lesions that are draining may be biopsied while your cat is under anesthesia. These samples are sent to an outside laboratory for diagnosis. It is important to accurately diagnose fungal infections of the skin because some types can be transmitted to humans. 

How your cat is treated for his fungal infection of the skin will depend on the type of fungi present. Some skin infections can be treated with special antifungal creams or ointments or oral antifungal medications. Infections that are caused by yeast may be treated with special shampoos or dips. Cysts or lesions under the skin may require surgical removal. In some cases, these cysts recur with frequency and are often difficult to treat.

If your cat develops bacterial or secondary infections as a result of his fungal infection, your veterinarian will treat these as needed. Cats that are very sick or contagious may be kept in the hospital until the symptoms improve. Your doctor may give you instructions on how to avoid becoming infected before you take your cat home.