Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Combination chemotherapy of canine and feline cryptococcosis using subcutaneously administered amphotericin B.
- Journal:
- Australian veterinary journal
- Year:
- 1996
- Authors:
- Malik, R et al.
- Affiliation:
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences · United Kingdom
Plain-English summary
In this study, three cats and three dogs with a fungal infection called cryptococcosis were successfully treated using a combination of medications that included amphotericin B. The researchers created an easy and cost-effective way to give amphotericin B by injecting it under the skin, mixed with a saline solution that also contained sugar. The animals received this treatment two to three times a week for several months, with the total amount of amphotericin B varying based on their weight. Most pets handled the treatment well, although higher doses could cause some irritation at the injection site. Overall, this method allowed for effective treatment without causing significant kidney issues, and all the pets were cured of their infection.
Abstract
Six cases (3 cats, 3 dogs) of cryptococcosis were cured using combination chemotherapy that included amphotericin B. We developed a simple, practical and inexpensive method of administering amphotericin B as a subcutaneous infusion during the treatment of these patients. For this, the calculated dose of amphotericin B (0.5 to 0.8 mg/kg) was added to 400 mL, for cats, or to 500 mL, for dogs, of 0.45% saline containing 2.5% dextrose. These amounts were given subcutaneously 2 or 3 times weekly over several months, to a total cumulative dose of 8 to 26 mg/kg body weight. Subcutaneous infusions were generally well tolerated by the animals, although concentrations of amphotericin B in excess of 20 mg/L resulted in local irritation. This protocol enabled the administration of larger, and thus more effective, quantities of amphotericin B without producing marked azotaemia.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8660225/