From:
"Katharine Long"
Date: 2006-06-06 18:56:14 UTC
Subject: [ferrethealth] Cryptococcus
To: <ferrethealth@smartgroups.com>
I have searched the archives. There are a few posts about cryptococcus but there doesn't seem to be any substantial information on treatment.
Sammy was diagnosed with cryptococcus based on samples from his lower lip and the roof of his mouth. My vet has never treated a case in any animal, definitely not in a ferret. He is researching it today and I will drop Sammy off tomorrow for him to take photographs and determine treatment. He mentioned the drug he thinks we will use, which is Itraconazole.
Sammy has had chronic respiratory problems for about two years. We have done x-rays, nasal flushes, antibiotics, pred, you name it. We have never been able to determine the cause. It comes and goes but pretty much is there most of the time. At times, his nose will run and will get all crusted over. He will start losing weight and I syringe feed him to get his weight back up. I've always assumed that he can't smell the food, so has no appetite.
A couple of weeks ago, I noticed a large, red, raw looking area on the roof of his mouth. He also had a sore on his lower lip. I took him in and my vet thought it might be oral cancer, and took biopsies of both areas.
The pathology has now come back as cryptococcus. I don't have the first clue how he could have gotten it. I "think" the most common route is from bird droppings. Sammy has never been around any birds. We have also moved during the two year period with no noticeable change in his condition.
Any references, comments, and suggestions are welcomed.
Katharine
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