Trichophyton species and Microsporum gypseum infection and fomite carriage in cats from three animal shelters: a retrospective case series

ObjectivesThe goal of this retrospective case series was to report on the clinical aspects of confirmed Trichophyton species and Microsporum gypseum infections in cats from three animal sheltersMethodsThis was an observational retrospective study. Fungal culture and treatment data from three animal shelters was retrospectively reviewed to identify cats with dermatophytosis caused by Trichophyton species or M gypseum.ResultsAmong the three shelters only four cats were diagnosed with M gypseum dermatophytosis. With respect to Trichophyton species infections, there were six cases identified and treated in a 1 year period in one shelter, 13 cases over 13 years in the second shelter and 27 cases over 5 years in the third shelter. Four cases of M gypseum dermatophytosis were treated in the third shelter. Young cats were most commonly infected and the disease was most commonly diagnosed in the fall and winter months. Lesions were inflammatory and found predominantly on the head and neck. There was a rapid respon...