Our pets, even with the most careful care, are susceptible to many different diseases, including dermatophytosis (lichen). The disease is caused by filamentous fungi that parasitize the skin, claws and fur. Depending on the type of fungus, there are 40 types of dermatophytoses.
Visually, the disease manifests itself as peeling skin, thickening, breaking off and hair loss. When a secondary infection occurs (during scratching and infection with pathogenic microflora), inflammatory processes are observed (suppuration of some areas of the skin, abscesses).
The disease is not fatal, but leads to infection of other animals and people who have been in contact (even not direct) with an infected individual. Only timely vaccination of dogs and cats against lichen can provide guaranteed protection against an unpleasant disease.
The effectiveness of vaccinating dogs against lichen
The incidence rate among dogs is about 60%, and about 30% of cases are due to trichophyton (ringworm). According to statistics, terriers are more prone to the disease. Favorable conditions for the development of dermatomycosis are a number of factors, the main one of which is weakened immunity. A dog is given a shingles vaccine to protect it from the threat of infection.
If the vaccination is not done on time and the animal gets sick, you can inject the drug for medicinal purposes: it is only important to comply with the necessary conditions to avoid complications. Vaccines against lichen have proven themselves to be an effective means of combating fungal microflora, but it is better to prevent the disease in a timely manner.
In European countries, pets are not vaccinated against ringworm, but sick animals are treated with proven methods. This is due to insufficient evidence of the positive effects of vaccination. The causative agent is a genus of viral fungi, which means that the spore cells are constantly mutating. This causes the absence of a lasting effect in some cases.
Prevention of lichen
Prevention of lichen is, first of all, strict adherence to basic precautions at home. The source of infection is people and animals that are sick with lichen. Ringworm spreads very quickly, usually through contact and household contact. It has been established that the fungus that causes lichen easily tolerates both low and high temperatures. Accordingly, it is a very stable species. It is its endurance and stability that explains the lightning-fast spread of infection from one animal to another.
There is always a risk of contracting lichen, but it especially increases during:
- walks in the fresh air;
- upon contact with an infected animal, even for a short period of time;
- in case of unnoticed contact with spores that could get on shoes or clothing;
- your dog eating from the feeder of an already sick animal;
- resting on a rug that belongs to a sick animal;
- using toys and care items for a sick dog.
The dog owner must always remember about the danger of contracting ringworm and apply all existing preventive measures. They won't require much effort. So, in order not to get ringworm, you need to follow these fairly simple rules:
• keep an eye on your four-legged friend's fur, try to look at it as often as possible. This simple precaution will allow you to detect lichen at the very first moment of its appearance;
• vaccinate the animal in accordance with the vaccination schedule;
• feed your pet healthy food, make sure the menu is balanced.
By the way, these preventive measures will help avoid infection not only with ringworm, but also with other infectious diseases.
One of the main issues that worries dog owners is the ability to avoid infection when exposed to an infection. The answer is yes. A dog can remain healthy even with direct contact with a ringworm carrier. But only if it is absolutely healthy, has a strong immune system, receives a balanced diet, and both the dog itself and its place are kept clean.
If you are the owner of several dogs, your task becomes more complicated. If one of the animals becomes ill, it is necessary to reduce, and if possible completely isolate, its contacts with other dogs. Do not forget that care items for a sick dog, as well as his bowl, rugs, and toys should not be used by healthy animals. The person caring for an infected animal must also take all precautions, namely, carefully monitor personal hygiene. Since he is also at risk of contracting ringworm.
How vaccines work
Dogs are vaccinated against lichen only after a full examination, a series of tests and mandatory deworming. The injection is given into the femoral part at intervals of 2 weeks. To prevent an allergic reaction, antihistamines (Diphenhydramine, Tavegil) are administered.
Vaccines contain inactivated spores of pathological fungi (dermatophytes, trichophytons, microsporiums). One drug can be active against 8 different types of pathogens, which makes it universal in this regard. Vaccination of the disease forces the dog’s body to actively produce antibodies to all types of lichen pathogens. Consequently, the likelihood of disease is reduced significantly.
The effectiveness of the vaccine is achieved a month after the administration of the second dose of the selected drug. If the pet is already infected, two additional injections must be given after visible improvement. Only after this you can not worry about the dog’s health, and subsequently carefully carry out timely vaccinations.
Main signs and treatment of lichen in cats and dogs
It is usually a focal or symmetric focal lesion, although a generalized form with extensive involvement may occur. The AmeoVet veterinary pharmacy recommends paying attention to the appearance of:
- round hairless areas of skin;
- redness;
- peeling of the skin (itching may occur);
- dull hair, dandruff.
Action must be taken quickly as the disease can spread quickly. Effective treatment and medications for ringworm in dogs will help rid your pet of the fungus. To identify it, the following diagnostic methods are used:
- illumination with a Wood's lamp;
- microscopic identification;
- sowing on nutrient media.
Once the diagnosis is confirmed, the veterinarian develops a treatment regimen.
What drugs are used
Domestic veterinarians use Vakderma, Microderma or Polivak TM injections to vaccinate dogs. Each of the drugs can be prescribed for both preventive and therapeutic purposes. Vaccines are produced in the form of a powder lyophilisate or solution. Active effect: no more than 1 year. The drugs differ in price and number of doses. For example:
- "Vakderm". Sold in the form of a 1 ml bottle with lyophilisate of dried fungal spores. Cost: 100 rubles.
- Microderm. The package contains 4 ampoules of inactivated spores. Cost: 360 rubles.
- "Polivak Tm". A 0.6 ml ampoule costs only 40 rubles.
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All these vaccines have a similar principle of action and are analogues of each other. However, Vakderm has received the largest number of positive reviews and is used more often.
Vakderm: instructions for use
Dog owners choose this product due to its low side effects and high effectiveness against pathogenic fungi. The price of the drug varies from 95-110 rubles per ampoule. Vaccination is carried out according to the scheme given in the instructions. To avoid complications, the following rules should be strictly followed:
- carry out deworming 10 days before vaccination;
- lyophilisate of dried spores should be diluted only with saline solution;
- place the injection strictly in the hole, which can be felt in the outer part of the thigh;
- the syringe must be sterile;
- if the weight is less than 5 kg, administer only half of the drug;
- a double injection with an interval of 2 weeks is placed alternately in both thighs;
- The vaccinated animal needs rest, which means physical activity should be avoided for several days.
Self-indulgence regarding health can lead to the most dire consequences. To carry out vaccinations, you must contact only qualified specialists.
The first vaccination is allowed once the puppy reaches two months of age and has undergone a proper examination by a veterinarian. Vaccinations should be carried out annually, and then the pet will be reliably protected from trichophytosis and microsporia. The main advantage of this drug is the possibility of its use for medicinal purposes.
Treatment of ringworm in dogs and cats
One of the most unpleasant “surprises” for pet owners is the discovery of bald areas of the pet’s skin, redness, papules, and itchy spots. The question immediately arises: “Aren’t you depriving it?” This can only be checked at a veterinary clinic. And if the diagnosis is positive, you will have to urgently take the necessary measures. We will offer you medications for the treatment of lichen in cats. The AmeoVet veterinary pharmacy has made sure that you can quickly purchase the necessary products at an affordable price. Contact us, place an order and very soon your pet will be healthy again.
Contraindications
Any vaccination is prohibited if the general state of health is impaired. This can cause complications, including death. Vaccinations are contraindicated in the following cases:
- The animal is weakened by illness.
- Hyperthermia.
- The presence of symptoms of an acute infectious disease.
- Suckling puppies.
- Pregnant bitches.
Vaccines are not compatible with immunosuppressants such as antibiotics. It is not advisable to act without consulting a competent specialist and identifying possible diseases.
Complications and side effects
The dosage of the vaccine is calculated based on the age and weight of the individual animal. After the first administration, a deterioration in condition is considered a normal reaction: the dog looks lethargic and sleeps a lot. This temporary phenomenon does not require treatment. Also, at the site of vaccine administration, a local reaction develops in the form of a compaction, which completely resolves after 5-7 days. Other complications arise only when vaccination rules are violated or an allergic reaction occurs.
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If the animal was in the incubation stage of dermatomycosis, the clinical picture begins to progress sharply. Lesions break out in places where pathogenic fungi are localized. The therapeutic dosage differs from the prophylactic dosage, and the number of injections increases up to 4 times.
Attention to the condition of the animal can be a good alternative to vaccination: at the slightest suspicion of demodicosis, immediate treatment should be started.
Causes, types, effective treatment of ringworm in dogs
Ringworm is a collective name for skin diseases that share a number of common symptoms. And most often it means ringworm. In addition, there are several more types of dermatophytosis (pink, pityriasis, weeping, multi-colored, etc.), each of which has its own symptoms and characteristics. This is why it is important to contact your veterinarian immediately. And then the treatment of ringworm in dogs will be as effective as possible.
The first thing that interests owners is: why and where their pet became infected. Ringworm can be viral or fungal in nature. Ringworm is a fungal disease caused by microscopic fungi. Their spores are carried by rodents and left in the ground. Moreover, under unfavorable conditions, spores can maintain their viability for up to one and a half years.
Thus, the source of infection can be:
- fungal spores carried on shoes;
- contact with a sick animal.
The AmeoVet veterinary pharmacy reminds that the manifestation of signs of infection depends on risk factors. Young and elderly animals are most often affected. The likelihood of the disease increases in the presence of abrasions and scratches, concomitant pathologies, and stress. It is quite possible to deal with the problem. However, this may take a long period.
