Abstract

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Fungal infection occurs in dogs and cats which are companion to man. This study aimed at identifying the dermatophytes commonly associated with dogs and cats and their in vitro-antifungal susceptibility profile. Samples were collected from two pet animals (dogs and cats) in three local government areas of Abia State. A total of one hundred and fifty skin scrapings from suspected infected dogs (100) and cats (50) were screened. Sabouraud Dextrose Agar (SDA) was used for the culture and Needle Mount Technique was employed. Lactophenol Cotton Blue (LCB) was used for staining. Each of the fungal isolate was identified based on its colony characteristics, hyphal and conidial cells produced. The Clinical Laboratory Standard Institute Technique was used for sensitivity testing of the isolates. The most commonly isolated dermatophytes were Microsporum species (36%) and Trichophyton species (8.6%) which was significantly different among the cats and the dogs (P=0.05). Microsporum species were found to be 100% sensitive to terbinafine, fluconazole and aqusulfur, while Trichophyton species are more sensitive to terbinafine, fluconazole and tinidazole. Terbinafine, fluconazole and tinidazole are the most active drugs against Microsporum and Trichosporum spp and therefore recommended for use

Keywords: Dogs, cats, Dermatophytes, Drugs, in vitro-antifungal sensitivity profile