Malassezia Species Overgrowth in a Chinchilla Cat

A 4-year-old castrated male Chinchilla cat presented with hair loss and skin lesions was diagnosed with Malassezia spp. overgrowth. The diagnosis was confirmed through skin scrapings and the tape strip method. The cat was treated with Terbinafine HCl, Omega 3 and Omega 6 supplements, and topical Ecosin®, showing improvement by the tenth day. Malassezia overgrowth in cats is rare and often associated with underlying serious conditions such as retroviral infections, neoplasia, and atopic dermatitis. Identifying and addressing predisposing factors is crucial for effective treatment.