Risk Factors

Risk factors for dermatophytosis ...at least in cats, which have been extensively studied... include very young and older animals and animals that are immunocompromised. Grooming inhibits development of infection, so animals which are not grooming are at increased risk, as well.

Additionally, and quite significantly, long-haired cats are at considerably greater risk for infection and/or maintaining a reservoir of infectious elements (arthrospores). These "carrier" animals may actually show no clinical signs of disease! Finally, there may be genetic factors that predispose some cats to increased suseptibility.

Environmental factors also present risks. High humidity, favors arthorspore survival. Bathing of cats may remove naturally protective skin secretions (sebum and serum) which increases the probability of invasion and infection by fungal elements.