Microsporum canis is a zoophilic dermatophyte, which is a type of fungi which has the ability to utilise keratin as a nutrient source, i.e. they have a unique enzymatic capacity [keratinase]. It is responsible for causing dermatophytosis (ringworm) in mainly dogs, cats, and children but has also been known to infect horses. It is found generalized throughout the body of the horse.
M. canis is distributed worldwide.
