Refractory Dermatophytosis in a Spitz Dog Successfully Managed with Posaconazole: A Case Report
March 2026
in “
Animals
”
Studysummary In this case report, an 8-year-old Spitz dog with refractory dermatophytosis showed significant clinical improvement after switching to posaconazole, chosen based on antifungal susceptibility testing, offering a promising treatment option for dogs unresponsive to standard antifungal therapies. Our plain-language summary of this paper — not a Tressless recommendation.
This case report describes the successful treatment of refractory dermatophytosis in an 8-year-old Spitz dog using posaconazole after conventional antifungal treatments failed. The dog exhibited persistent alopecia and other symptoms despite multiple courses of standard antifungals. Antifungal susceptibility testing revealed resistance to these treatments but susceptibility to posaconazole, which was administered over 6 weeks. The treatment resulted in significant clinical improvement and complete resolution of symptoms without adverse effects. The report highlights posaconazole as a promising alternative for managing resistant dermatophytosis in dogs, though its high cost and limited availability may restrict routine use. Further studies are recommended to confirm its efficacy and safety in a broader canine population.
