From:
"Sue Liszewski"
Date: 2004-02-14 01:19:06 UTC
Subject: RE: [ferrethealth] Cryptococcosis/Pathology Report -- Need Answers Please
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
Message-ID: <LAW12-F60tjgOvOX9Nr0006e1da@hotmail.com>
This is a fungal organsim usu picked up from basements sometimes from close
contact with pigeon droppings. It is not contagious directly, you need to
contact the source so casual contact would not be a problem. As the
pathologist said immunosuppressed people are a different story (as would a
cat with FIV or FeLV). It is treatable but the medication can be rough on
them.
Before treatment starts you need to get a crypto antigen blood level which
would help with monitoring treatment. I have treated this is cats and not
ferrets but the treatment is much the same. We generally use itraconazole
(or Sporonox) which comes in a liquid and a capsule. It is usu dosed at 5
mg/kg twice daily but if your guy is sick I would start lower and work your
way up. Treatment usu is at least 6 months. If they are not critically ill
they will recover nicely but no quick fix. It is recommened to monitor CBC
and liver values while on treatment but most I have done without it.
It is not a great thing to have but it is treatable once you have a proper
diagnosis. It can affect skin. nasal cavity, nervous system, and even may
have ocular lesions. You need to treat past clinical cure and ideally until
you have a negative titer. The medication is expensive, but you can get it
from Canada for less (both I am currently treating were from large animal
groups and we need to save where we can). Hope this helps. See if any of
the others have treated it. Good luck. Any thoughts on where he may have
picked it up?
Dr. Sue
>From: Florence Love <lovef@mindspring.com>
>Reply-To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
>To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
>Subject: [ferrethealth] Cryptococcosis/Pathology Report -- Need Answers
>Please
>Date: Fri, 13 Feb 2004 14:14:40 -0500 (EST)
>
>I noticed that Pebbles had some type of growth on the front of her throat
>about
>a month ago -- it seemed to come up quickly. Sort of like an Adams Apple
>on
>people. Had it checked with my vet, and we decided to wait a couple of
>weeks to
>see if it changed and could be moved seperate from neck area. She was fine
>and
>then started losing weight, and wouldn't eat chicken gravy. Took her in
>and my vet
>operated the same day. Pathology Report just came back and it was
>Cryptococcosis.
>Here is a text format from the Pathologist of what the Pathology Report
>said.
>Would like any help possible with the problem.
>
>- - - - - - -
>The submitted tissue appears to be tonsil or lymph node. The lymphoid organ
>contains increased numbers of lymphocytes that represent all stages of
>lymphocytic
>maturation. Multiple foci of histiocytic inflammation are visible within
>the node.
>Moderate numbers of fungal yeasts are visible within the histiocytic
>inflammation.
>Occasional narrow-based budding is visible and the yeasts have a thick
>mucinous
>capsule.
>
>Lymphadenitis, histiocytic severe chronic active with large numbers of
>Cryptococcal
>yeasts.
>
>Thank you for the submission of this interesting case. Although it appears
>an
>infection of this type has not previously been reported in the US, ferret
>cryptococcosis has been previously reported in Canada and Australia
>(References
>were giving in his Pathology Report ? all Cryptococcosis in both country
>was
>found at Necropsy). I would appreciate any more information that you may
>have on
>this case. Cryptococcosis is a zoonotic disease if immunosuppressed
>individuals
>have contact with this animal. Complete excision of the node could not be
>confirmed. We advise appropriate antifungal therapy in this case also. For
>consultation regarding the results of this case, please feel free to
>contact
>
>XXX
>Veterinary Pathologist
>YYY
>- - - - - - -
>
>Thanks,
>Florence
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>--
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>
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