A CLINICAL CASE OF DERMATOPHYTOSIS IN A 6-YEAR-OLD NIGERIAN INDIGENOUS BITCH, JOS, PLATEAU STATE

Abstract

A 6-year old Nigerian indigenous bitch weighing 10kg was presented to the small animal unit of the Veterinary Teaching Hospital University of Jos with the chief complaint of generalized hair loss which was noticed to have started 2-months before presentation. The lesions were circular areas of alopecia and erythema which were generalized throughout the body. The bitch was examined and samples were collected. Direct examination of skin scrapings revealed large ectothrixs spores. Microscopic examination of the isolate stained with lactophenol cotton blue revealed numerous microconidia that were clustered together with a smooth, thin walled multi septate macroconidia that was club shaped. The dermatophyte responsible was identified based on clinical signs, culture and isolation as Trichophyton mentagrophyte which is significant as it has the potential of occurring in high economic proportion and can be zoonotic. The use of personal protective equipments while examining animals was emphasized.