ABSTRACT
Fungi, both fi lamentous and yeasts, infect animals including their keratin, hide, skin and various organs leading to their superfi cial, subcutaneous or systemic mycoses. Unfortunately in India, these problems especially dermatophytoses have not received their due attention because of its lesser severity, lack of adequate diagnostic and clinical facilities, availability and feasibility of treatment of such infections, particularly in small and large ruminants, non-availability of vaccines and most importantly ignorance of the animal keepers. The information that we have for these ailments (mycotic infections) of animals in India pertains to the isolation of causal organisms, their identifi cation and demonstration in histopathological preparations. Although, the economic losses due to fungal infections in animals, has not been estimated, nevertheless, mycotic infections impede their growth, affect hide productivity and in some cases even lead to chronic mastitis and can even cause abortion. These conditions certainly attribute to the economics of livestock and poultry industry as well as trade. This chapter overviews all important types of mycoses involved in superfi cial and systemic infections as well as fungi associated with reproductive infections and chronic mastitis in animals in India.
