Effectiveness of terbinafine in the eradication of Microsporum canis from laboratory cats

In this study, the coats of 20 cats with no dermatophytosis lesions were sa mpled for colonization by Microsporum canis, which was isolated in 45% of c ases. All cats were treated with oral terbinafine for 3 weeks. The drug was administered orally at a daily dosage 8.25 mg kg (-1). Mycologic status wa s assessed at the end of the treatment; and after follow-up at 2 days, and 4 and 9 weeks. The final evaluation revealed a complete mycologic cure of a ll cats by obtaining negative cultures, thereby demonstrating that terbinaf ine is an effective method of eradication of dermatophyte colonization.