Intestinal mycosis
As Darmmykose one calls a the intestinal limited infection with fungi ( mycosis ), mainly yeast . It occurs mainly in rabbits and herbivorous rodents such as guinea pigs if they are not fed properly in the pet area.
Causes and clinical picture
Since yeasts are dependent on easily digestible carbohydrates , the cause is usually a bad diet with a high proportion of sugar and starch . This disrupts the sensitive intestinal flora and the yeasts multiply.
The cardinal symptom is diarrhea . Secondary intestinal symptoms can occur due to the formation of gases and toxic degradation products of the yeast . In rabbits, there is also an increased formation of appendix feces . Occasionally, skin symptoms such as increased and prolonged coat change in rabbits or dull, shaggy fur with increased hair loss in rodents can occur.
Diagnosis and treatment
The diagnosis is made using a fecal smear using a microscopic examination.
The most important therapeutic measure is a change in feed to feed that is rich in crude fiber and low in nutrients (“hay diet”). If the clinical picture is pronounced, antimycotics such as nystatin are used. In the case of intestinal symptoms, a defoamer such as polydimethylsiloxane is also administered.
Alternative medicine
In alternative medicine circles, fungal colonization of the intestine is often assumed to be the cause of a large number of complaints. Appropriate diagnostic and treatment methods are offered (→ Candida hypersensitivity syndrome ).
literature
- Guido Schweigart: Gastrointestinal mycoses in rodents and rabbits. In: Fachpraxis 33 (2009), pp. 49–50.