Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Blastomycosis in cats causing breathing and skin problems in 8 cases
By Gilor, Chen et al.·Published in Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association·2006·Department of Veterinary Clinical Medicine, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Clinical aspects of natural infection with Blastomyces dermatitidis in cats: 8 cases (1991-2005).
- Species:
- cat
Plain-English summary
Eight cats were diagnosed with blastomycosis, a serious fungal infection, and showed signs of being very sick, including respiratory issues and skin lesions. X-rays revealed lung problems in all the cats, with most having nodules or areas of lung consolidation. Six of the cats were diagnosed before death through lab tests, and three of them received treatment and recovered successfully. This highlights the importance of early diagnosis and treatment for this rare but serious condition in cats.
People also search for: cat respiratory problems · blastomycosis in cats treatment · cat skin lesions causes
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate clinical and laboratory findings, treatment, and clinical outcome in cats with blastomycosis. DESIGN: Retrospective case series. ANIMALS: 8 cats with naturally occurring blastomycosis. PROCEDURES: Medical records of the University of Illinois Veterinary Teaching Hospital were searched for cases of blastomycosis in cats diagnosed via cytologic or histopathologic findings. Clinical and laboratory findings, treatment, and clinical outcome were determined. Radiographs were reviewed for the 8 cases. RESULTS: All cats were systemically ill. Respiratory tract signs and dermal lesions were most commonly observed. All cats had radiographic evidence of respiratory tract disease. Seven of the 8 cats had ill-defined soft-tissue opacities (nodules or masses) or alveolar consolidation of the lungs. Antemortem diagnosis was achieved cytologically in 6 of the 8 cats, and 3 were successfully treated and survived. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: In contrast to previous reports, diagnosis was achieved antemortem in most of the cats (all by cytologic identification of the organism). Clinical signs, laboratory findings, and outcome were similar to previous descriptions of this rare disease in cats.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16817721/