Sporanox (Itraconazole) Capsules
Sporanox is positioned as a best-in-class systemic azole for dogs because itraconazole offers broad-spectrum activity and excellent tissue penetration for many systemic mycoses, making it a go-to choice for dimorphic fungi and certain mold infections in veterinary practice. Compared with fluconazole it provides superior activity against Aspergillus and dermatophytes, and while more expensive than older agents like ketoconazole, its established efficacy and availability of generic itraconazole formulations provide a balanced technical and financial profile for long-course canine therapy.
Skin-targeting (nail ninja)
Lipid-loving uptake
Skin-targeting (nail ninja)
Lipid-loving uptake
Review Summary
"Owners and veterinarians report itraconazole is often effective for systemic fungal infections in dogs but requires monitoring for liver effects and can have variable absorption; many note it worked after several weeks but can be costly. Overall users appreciate the efficacy but warn about side effects and the need for follow-up blood tests."
Pulse-dosing option (pill pause)
Broad-spectrum triazole effective against many systemic yeasts and moulds encountered in dogs, including blastomycosis and histoplasmosis.
Pulse-dosing option (pill pause)
Broad-spectrum triazole effective against many systemic yeasts and moulds encountered in dogs, including blastomycosis and histoplasmosis.
Increased Safety & Security
Time-Saving Convenience
Sporanox is positioned as a best-in-class systemic azole for dogs because itraconazole offers broad-spectrum activity and excellent tissue penetration for many systemic mycoses, making it a go-to choice for dimorphic fungi and certain mold infections in veterinary practice. Compared with fluconazole it provides superior activity against Aspergillus and dermatophytes, and while more expensive than older agents like ketoconazole, its established efficacy and availability of generic itraconazole formulations provide a balanced technical and financial profile for long-course canine therapy.
Skin-targeting (nail ninja)
Lipid-loving uptake
Pulse-dosing option (pill pause)
Broad-spectrum triazole effective against many systemic yeasts and moulds encountered in dogs, including blastomycosis and histoplasmosis.
Requires hepatic monitoring and has significant drug–drug interactions via CYP3A4, so veterinary supervision is essential.
Skin-targeting (nail ninja)
Lipid-loving uptake
Pulse-dosing option (pill pause)
Broad-spectrum triazole effective against many systemic yeasts and moulds encountered in dogs, including blastomycosis and histoplasmosis.
Requires hepatic monitoring and has significant drug–drug interactions via CYP3A4, so veterinary supervision is essential.
$150-350 CAD
Diflucan (Fluconazole) Tablets
Diflucan is the market-leading, cost-effective option for many canine systemic fungal infections because fluconazole achieves reliable CNS and urinary tract levels and is well tolerated, making it particularly useful for cryptococcosis and candidiasis in dogs. It is generally less active than itraconazole or voriconazole against Aspergillus and some moulds, but its lower price and favorable pharmacokinetics make it a financially attractive first-line or maintenance choice in the veterinary setting.
CNS-penetrant (brain buddy)
Once-daily dosing
CNS-penetrant (brain buddy)
Once-daily dosing
Review Summary
"Fluconazole is frequently praised for being well tolerated and convenient with good efficacy against several canine fungal infections; reviewers commonly highlight ease of dosing and fewer adverse reactions compared with older agents. Many owners report clear improvement with consistent dosing, though some infections require longer treatment or different agents."
Generally well-tolerated (gentle)
Well-tolerated triazole with strong activity against many yeasts (e.g., Candida, Cryptococcus) commonly used in canine infections.
Generally well-tolerated (gentle)
Well-tolerated triazole with strong activity against many yeasts (e.g., Candida, Cryptococcus) commonly used in canine infections.
Increased Safety & Security
Time-Saving Convenience
Diflucan is the market-leading, cost-effective option for many canine systemic fungal infections because fluconazole achieves reliable CNS and urinary tract levels and is well tolerated, making it particularly useful for cryptococcosis and candidiasis in dogs. It is generally less active than itraconazole or voriconazole against Aspergillus and some moulds, but its lower price and favorable pharmacokinetics make it a financially attractive first-line or maintenance choice in the veterinary setting.
CNS-penetrant (brain buddy)
Once-daily dosing
Generally well-tolerated (gentle)
Well-tolerated triazole with strong activity against many yeasts (e.g., Candida, Cryptococcus) commonly used in canine infections.
Predominantly renally excreted with once-daily dosing options, making dosing simpler for many outpatient treatments.
CNS-penetrant (brain buddy)
Once-daily dosing
Generally well-tolerated (gentle)
Well-tolerated triazole with strong activity against many yeasts (e.g., Candida, Cryptococcus) commonly used in canine infections.
Predominantly renally excreted with once-daily dosing options, making dosing simpler for many outpatient treatments.
$25-100 CAD
Nizoral (Ketoconazole) Tablets
Nizoral represents the older-generation oral azole option for dogs, valued for its low upfront cost and historical use, but it has largely ceded market leadership to newer azoles due to a higher risk of hepatotoxicity and drug interactions. In the context of systemic antifungal therapy for dogs, ketoconazole remains an economical alternative when resources are constrained, however itraconazole, fluconazole and voriconazole are generally preferred for better safety and spectrum.
Broad-spectrum action (old reliable)
Hormone-interacting (coat helper)
Broad-spectrum action (old reliable)
Hormone-interacting (coat helper)
Review Summary
"Ketoconazole receives mixed reviews: some users find it effective for certain fungal and yeast problems, but many report higher rates of gastrointestinal upset and liver concerns compared with newer drugs. Overall it’s seen as less preferred now due to side effects and drug interactions."
Cost-conscious choice (wallet-friendly)
Imidazole with broad antifungal activity but notable risks of hepatotoxicity and endocrine (adrenal) effects in dogs.
Cost-conscious choice (wallet-friendly)
Imidazole with broad antifungal activity but notable risks of hepatotoxicity and endocrine (adrenal) effects in dogs.
Increased Safety & Security
Nizoral represents the older-generation oral azole option for dogs, valued for its low upfront cost and historical use, but it has largely ceded market leadership to newer azoles due to a higher risk of hepatotoxicity and drug interactions. In the context of systemic antifungal therapy for dogs, ketoconazole remains an economical alternative when resources are constrained, however itraconazole, fluconazole and voriconazole are generally preferred for better safety and spectrum.
Broad-spectrum action (old reliable)
Hormone-interacting (coat helper)
Cost-conscious choice (wallet-friendly)
Imidazole with broad antifungal activity but notable risks of hepatotoxicity and endocrine (adrenal) effects in dogs.
Strong inhibitor of multiple CYP enzymes, producing many potential drug interactions that complicate combination therapy.
Broad-spectrum action (old reliable)
Hormone-interacting (coat helper)
Cost-conscious choice (wallet-friendly)
Imidazole with broad antifungal activity but notable risks of hepatotoxicity and endocrine (adrenal) effects in dogs.
Strong inhibitor of multiple CYP enzymes, producing many potential drug interactions that complicate combination therapy.
$50-150 CAD
Vfend (Voriconazole) Tablets
Vfend is the technical market leader for difficult or refractory systemic fungal infections in dogs because voriconazole delivers potent activity against Aspergillus and many resistant molds where other agents may fail. Its superior spectrum and potency come with higher cost and often a need for therapeutic monitoring, so it is typically reserved for severe or treatment‑refractory cases despite clear clinical advantages over older azoles in veterinary specialties.
Potent resistant-fungi fighter (heavy hitter)
Excellent bioavailability (fast-acting)
Potent resistant-fungi fighter (heavy hitter)
Excellent bioavailability (fast-acting)
Review Summary
"Voriconazole is regarded as a potent option for difficult or resistant fungal infections and often works when other drugs fail, but owners frequently cite high cost and notable side effects (including neurologic and hepatic) that require close monitoring. Reviews praise its efficacy in severe cases but warn it’s reserved for specialist use."
Visual side effects (spacey sparkles)
Potent broad-spectrum triazole with excellent activity against invasive moulds such as Aspergillus, used for severe refractory infections in dogs.
Visual side effects (spacey sparkles)
Potent broad-spectrum triazole with excellent activity against invasive moulds such as Aspergillus, used for severe refractory infections in dogs.
Increased Safety & Security
Time-Saving Convenience
Vfend is the technical market leader for difficult or refractory systemic fungal infections in dogs because voriconazole delivers potent activity against Aspergillus and many resistant molds where other agents may fail. Its superior spectrum and potency come with higher cost and often a need for therapeutic monitoring, so it is typically reserved for severe or treatment‑refractory cases despite clear clinical advantages over older azoles in veterinary specialties.
Potent resistant-fungi fighter (heavy hitter)
Excellent bioavailability (fast-acting)
Visual side effects (spacey sparkles)
Potent broad-spectrum triazole with excellent activity against invasive moulds such as Aspergillus, used for severe refractory infections in dogs.
High cost and variable pharmacokinetics often necessitate therapeutic drug monitoring and close hepatic surveillance during treatment.
Potent resistant-fungi fighter (heavy hitter)
Excellent bioavailability (fast-acting)
Visual side effects (spacey sparkles)
Potent broad-spectrum triazole with excellent activity against invasive moulds such as Aspergillus, used for severe refractory infections in dogs.
High cost and variable pharmacokinetics often necessitate therapeutic drug monitoring and close hepatic surveillance during treatment.
$600-1200 CAD
Lamisil (Terbinafine) Tablets
Lamisil is the preferred allylamine for canine dermatophyte and cutaneous fungal infections due to its fungicidal mechanism, strong skin and nail penetration, and comparatively low propensity for cytochrome P450 interactions. While terbinafine is less commonly used for deep systemic mycoses than the azoles, its cost-effectiveness, favorable safety profile, and targeted activity make it a practical prescription option for skin-focused fungal disease in dogs within this systemic antifungal product set.
Fungicidal action (quick kill)
Nail-and-skin loving (spot-on)
Fungicidal action (quick kill)
Nail-and-skin loving (spot-on)
Review Summary
"Terbinafine is commonly liked for treating dermatophyte infections in dogs due to good efficacy, short course lengths in many cases, and generally mild side effects; owners appreciate its tolerability and predictable results. It’s often recommended as a first-line for ringworm and similar conditions."
Fewer interactions (drug-friendly)
Allylamine antifungal that is fungicidal against dermatophytes and concentrates in skin and nails, commonly used in canine dermatologic fungal infections.
Fewer interactions (drug-friendly)
Allylamine antifungal that is fungicidal against dermatophytes and concentrates in skin and nails, commonly used in canine dermatologic fungal infections.
Increased Safety & Security
Time-Saving Convenience
Lamisil is the preferred allylamine for canine dermatophyte and cutaneous fungal infections due to its fungicidal mechanism, strong skin and nail penetration, and comparatively low propensity for cytochrome P450 interactions. While terbinafine is less commonly used for deep systemic mycoses than the azoles, its cost-effectiveness, favorable safety profile, and targeted activity make it a practical prescription option for skin-focused fungal disease in dogs within this systemic antifungal product set.
Fungicidal action (quick kill)
Nail-and-skin loving (spot-on)
Fewer interactions (drug-friendly)
Allylamine antifungal that is fungicidal against dermatophytes and concentrates in skin and nails, commonly used in canine dermatologic fungal infections.
Oral terbinafine has good bioavailability and convenient dosing but is not broadly effective for many systemic mould infections.
Fungicidal action (quick kill)
Nail-and-skin loving (spot-on)
Fewer interactions (drug-friendly)
Allylamine antifungal that is fungicidal against dermatophytes and concentrates in skin and nails, commonly used in canine dermatologic fungal infections.
Oral terbinafine has good bioavailability and convenient dosing but is not broadly effective for many systemic mould infections.
$30-120 CAD