Clinico-Diagnostic and Therapeutic Management of Canine Malasseziosis

44 dogs with pruritic localized or generalized skin diseases were examined along with 118 healthy dogs. A patient's history, clinical signs, response to previous therapy and cytologic examination findings were all used in diagnosing Malassezia dermatitis. Skin swabs were collected from 8 anatomical sites for cytological examination. In healthy dogs, Malassezia yeasts were most frequently isolated in the perianal and perioral areas. The frequency of isolation Malassezia were higher in dogs with localized dermatitis, especially in affected areas, indicating role of Malassezia in occurrence of skin lesions. German shepherd and Labrador predominated in present study owing to large population of these breeds. It is important to diagnose and treat any underlying predisposing factors. Topical treatment with Miconazole nitrate (2%) and Chlorhexidine (2%), twice weekly for 3 weeks and systemic treatments with azole derivatives (Ketoconazole, 10mg/kg/dayand Itraconazole, 5mg/kg/day) for 3 weeks were effective in controlling Malasseziadermatitis.