Investigation of the efficacy of local administration of biosilver compound in the treatment of dermatophytosis in cats and dogs

Dermatophytosis is a zoonotic disease characterized by skin lesions and caused by keratinophilic dermatophytes, commonly observed among companion animals. The aim of this study is to evaluate the clinical signs, treatment processes, and the effectiveness of biosilver (nanosilver) therapy in cats and dogs of various ages and breeds that were admitted to the Veterinary Faculty of Afyon Kocatepe University. In this study, a total of 14 animals were used, consisting of a treatment group (n=7) and a positive control group (n=7), including both cats and dogs. Mycological samples were collected from these animals, and the prevalence, clinical progression of dermatophytosis, and the contribution of biosilver application to the treatment were analyzed. The findings revealed that biosilver therapy contributed positively to lesion regression and supported clinical improvement. The animals were divided into two treatment groups: biosilver therapy and terbinafine hydrochloride therapy. Their treatment processes were monitored through weekly clinical evaluations. Although various antifungal agents are used in the treatment of dermatophytosis in cats and dogs, traditional topical applications require long-term and regular use, which may pose challenges in terms of compliance and efficacy. Furthermore, during the direct application of topical medications to lesions, there is a risk of contact for the handler and increased stress levels in the animal. In recent years, biosilver compounds have gained attention for their antimicrobial and antifungal properties, exhibiting pharmacological inhibitory effects on various microorganisms and offering a potential alternative for dermatophytosis treatment. Biosilver-containing products in spray formulation may provide advantages over topical ointments due to ease of application and effective action without direct contact with the lesion area. Clinical evaluations revealed that the group treated with silver biogels responded more rapidly to the treatment and the lesions healed in a shorter time. According to the clinical scoring results evaluated weekly during the treatment process, the silver biogel group showed faster recovery. These findings suggest that silver biogels could be an effective alternative in the treatment of dermatophytosis.