Successful 28-Day Combination Therapy of Malassezia Dermatitis in a 1-Year-Old Mixed Small-Breed Dog: A Case Report

This case report details the successful treatment of chronic malasseziosis in a 1-year-old mixed small-breed dog from a Southeast Asian tropical climate. The dog, weighing 1.95 kg, exhibited symptoms including bilateral alopecia, scaling, pruritus, and rancid skin odor. Diagnosis was confirmed through acetate tape impression cytology, revealing heavy Malassezia colonization. The treatment regimen included oral itraconazole, chlorpheniramine maleate, essential fatty acid supplementation, silymarin for liver protection, and medicated shampoo. Over 28 days, the combination therapy led to a significant reduction in Malassezia density, resolution of scaling and odor, and hair regrowth. The study highlights the effectiveness of systemic and topical antifungal therapy and recommends baseline hepatic function testing and regular cytological reassessment to detect potential recurrence.