Abstract
Malassezia pachydermatis is the most common causative organism for development of Malassezia dermatitis in dogs. An adult pug was presented to the clinic with chronic skin abnormalities, rancid odour from the body and pruritus. Lesion distribution was noticed on the ventral chin, neck, abdomen and inner surface of the legs. Skin scrapings, hair plucks and tape impression smears were examined, and footprint-shaped Malassezia organisms were identified in impression smears. Blood was collected to diagnose underlying factor for development of chronic recurrent Malassezia dermatitis. Up on blood tests, lowered total T4 (2.02 μg/dL) and free T4 (0.68 ng/dL) were detected. Treatment was given with oral ketoconazole (5-mg/kg body weight) resulted in improvement of clinical signs within two weeks of therapy. Thyroxine (at 20-μg/kg body weight BID, PO) was administered, and thyroxine levels in blood were in between the normal range after 2 months. No recurrence of dermatitis and pruritus was observed during the observatory period of six months.
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Reddy, B.S., Sivajothi, S. Recurrent Malassezia dermatitis due to hypothyroidism in a dog and its management. Comp Clin Pathol 25, 531–533 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00580-015-2218-5
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00580-015-2218-5