# Comparative Study of the Efficacy of Lime Essential Oil Shampoo Versus 2% Miconazole/Chlorhexidine Combination Shampoo for the Treatment of Dermatophytosis in Client-Owned Cats

## TL;DR

This study compares lime essential oil shampoo with a conventional antifungal shampoo for treating ringworm in cats and finds both to be equally effective and safe.

## Contribution

The study introduces lime essential oil shampoo as a natural, effective alternative to conventional antifungal shampoos for feline dermatophytosis.

## Key findings

- Both lime essential oil and miconazole/chlorhexidine shampoos showed significant reductions in skin lesion and fungal scores over time.
- No significant differences in clinical outcomes were observed between the two treatment groups by day 56.
- No adverse effects were reported in cats using either shampoo formulation.

## Abstract

Microsporum canis (M. canis) is the most common cause of dermatophytosis in cats and can also be transmitted to humans. In most cases, infected cats develop circular areas of hair loss, scaling, or crusting, and the condition can easily spread through direct contact or contaminated environments. The standard treatment includes the use of topical antifungal shampoos combined with oral antifungal medications to eliminate fungal spores from the hair coat and skin. Conventional products, such as miconazole and chlorhexidine shampoos, are widely used and effective; however, there is increasing interest in natural plant-based alternatives that may offer similar benefits with fewer chemical ingredients. Lime essential oil has demonstrated antifungal properties in laboratory studies, suggesting its potential use as a natural topical therapy. This study explored the application of lime essential oil shampoo as a novel treatment option for feline dermatophytosis.

We undertook a preliminary clinical study to compare the efficacy of lime essential oil shampoo with a conventional 2% miconazole/chlorhexidine formulation, both in combination with pulse oral itraconazole, in cats with dermatophytosis caused by M. canis. Sixteen affected cats were randomly assigned to receive either lime essential oil shampoo or a 2% miconazole/chlorhexidine formulation. All cats were bathed twice weekly and received itraconazole (5 mg/kg once daily) using a pulse regimen (1 week for every 2 weeks) for 56 days. Clinical assessments, including cytological, direct hair examinations, Wood’s lamp evaluation, total skin lesion score (TLS), and fungal pathogen score (FPS), were performed on days 0, 28, 42, and 56. Hematological and biochemical analyses were conducted on days 0, 28, and 56. By day 56, no significant differences were observed between groups in the cytological, direct hair examination, or Wood’s lamp results. Both groups had significant reductions in TLS and FPS on days 28, 42, and 56 compared to day 0 (p < 0.05). No cutaneous or systemic adverse effects were observed. These findings suggest that lime essential oil shampoo has clinical efficacy comparable to the conventional formulation and may represent a safe natural alternative for the topical management of feline dermatophytosis.