Dermatophyte infections in free-ranging Florida panthers (Felis concolor coryi)

Three free-ranging Florida panthers (Felis concolor coryi) were diagnosed w ith clinical dermatophytosis; two were infected with Trichophyton mentagrop hytes, and one was infected with Microsporum gypseum. Two of these panthers were juvenile males that were diagnosed with focal to focally coalescing d ermatophytosis; one caused by M. gypseum and the other by T. mentagrophytes . These animals were not treated, and clinical signs resolved spontaneously over 6 mo. The third panther, an adult male from southern Florida, present ed with a diffuse dermatophytosis due to T. mentagrophytes infection. Initi ally, the panther had alopecia, excoriations, ulcerations, and multifocal p yoderma of the head, ears, neck, rear limbs, and abdominal region that prog ressed to lichenification of the skin and loss of nails from two digits. Wh en topical therapy applied in the field at 45-day intervals was ineffective in clearing the infection, the animal was placed in captivity for intensiv e oral therapy to prevent further development of dermal mycosis, loss of ad ditional nails, and spread of infection to other panthers. The panther was treated orally with itraconazole (9.5 mg/kg) in the food s.i.d. for 6 wk. A fter treatment, nail regrowth occurred but the multifocal areas of alopecia remained. The panther was released back into the wild after two skin biops y cultures were negative for fungal growth. Temporary removal of a free-ran ging animal of an endangered species from its habitat for systemic treatmen t of dermatophytosis requires consideration of factors such as age, reprodu ctive potential, holding facilities, treatment regimen, and the potential f or successful reintroduction of the animal.