From:
sukiec@optonline.net
Date: 2004-01-10 18:02:55 UTC
Subject: RE: Raja: SERIOUS spinal bone degeneration and new convulsion!!
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
Message-ID: <643645.1073757775471.JavaMail.root@indium.smartgroups.com>
I had to look up something for someone on a different list, but it may be that the info I found connected with that search may be applicable. The combination of neurological problems and bone ones made me wonder (though, obviously, there are a number of things which attack both bone and nerves). I wanted to just mention this because the disease is a fungal one so different meds would be needed.
Here is what I wrote to the other people:
Many thanks to Tom who wondered if Sporotricosis/Sprorthricosis, which
one of his ferrets had, may be what the person needed info about. That
could be it.
I could not find it in the indices of the vet texts so went first to
Google and looked it up. It's fungal and is caught by a wide range of
animals.
http://dermatology.cdlib.org/DOJvol8num2/case_reports/sporotrichosis/
oliveira.html
is about it in cats in Brazil.
It includes:
Sporotricosis is a ubiquitous mycosis characterized by nodular lesions
of the cutaneous or subcutaneous tissues and adjacent lymphatics that
usually suppurate and ulcerate. Secondary spread to the articular
surface and bone or dissemination to the central nervous system,
genitourinary tract or lungs is also possible. All forms of
sporothricosis are caused by a single species, Sporothrix schenkii. In
the great majority of cases the fungus gains entrance into the body
through trauma to the skin with some kind of plant materials such as
thorns or splinters. Zoonotic transmission is also possible and
several animals are implicated.
...
The clinical diagnosis, confirmed by histology and cultures, was
sporotrichosis, a cosmopolitan, subcutaneous mycosis. Sporothrix
schenkii is a dimorphic fungus widely dispersed in nature and found
mainly in dead or senescent plant matter, soil and several animals
including equines, cats, dogs, pigs and birds. [1] Zoonotic transmission
is rare, but exposure to the numerous fungal organisms present in skin
lesions of cats enhance the infective capability of such lesions and may
produce disease by simple contact...
It sounds sometimes it resolves spontaneously. It doesn't say treatments
for when it doesn't, but I'll search further if you want. Please, get in
touch.
In Google. com on searches there is info under BOTH spellings.
You'll want to go to the article I cited and see if anything looks
familiar and of course ask your vet. I couldn't find it in the vet
texts, but Liz Hillyer (co-author of _Ferrets, Rabbits and Rodents_ has
diagnosed it, I was told. I don't know if she is currently practicing in
NJ or in the Animal Medical Center, but it should be possible to arrange
a consultation if one is needed by contacting the Exotic Dept. at the
AMC and asking.
Hope this helps!