Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Ferret with sudden blindness from Cryptococcus eye infection
By Ropstad, Ernst‐Otto et al.·Published in Veterinary Ophthalmology·2011·View original on Crossref →
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Original publication title: Cryptococcus gattiichorioretinitis in a ferret
- Species:
- rodent
Plain-English summary
An 18-month-old male ferret suddenly went blind and was diagnosed with a serious eye condition called bilateral exudative chorioretinitis, caused by a fungal infection known as Cryptococcus gattii. The ferret was treated with prednisone and fluconazole, which helped keep him active and healthy for six months despite his blindness. Unfortunately, he later developed additional health issues, including ataxia (loss of coordination) and pain, leading to a diagnosis of a spinal mass. The owners chose to euthanize him, and postmortem tests confirmed the initial fungal infection.
People also search for: ferret sudden blindness treatment · Cryptococcus gattii in ferrets · ferret eye problems · ferret spinal mass symptoms
Abstract
AbstractBilateral exudative chorioretinitis was diagnosed in an 18‐month‐old male neutered ferret(Mustela putorius furo) with a generalizedCryptococcus gattiiinfection confirmed by PCR. The animal was referred to the Ophthalmology Service of the Autonomous University of Barcelona (VTH‐UAB) for acute onset blindness. Complete ophthalmic examination revealed absent menace response and dazzle reflex in both eyes (OU), as well as subretinal edema located in the tapetal fundus. At that time, the clinical ophthalmologic diagnosis was bilateral exudative chorioretinitis. Treatment with prednisone (0.5 mg/kg PO q24 h) was instituted in addition to the ongoing treatment with fluconazole (10 mg/kg PO q24 h). The following rechecks revealed secondary cataracts with subsequent lens subluxation and panretinal degeneration OU. Despite being blind and the poor prognosis of disseminate cryptococcosis, the patient remained active and in good body condition during 6 months after the initial diagnosis. At that time, the ferret showed ataxia, incontinence, and generalized pain. A magnetic resonance imaging study revealed a mass affecting the spine. The owners declined further investigations and the ferret was humanely euthanized. The postmortem histopathology confirmed the initial diagnosis of cryptococcosis and the presence of intraretinalCryptococcusspp. To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first report ofCryptococcusspp. induced exudative chorioretinitis in a ferret.
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Search related cases →Original publication on Crossref: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1463-5224.2011.00885.x