Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Cat with histoplasmosis causing swelling above the eye and breathing
By Elaine Waite de Souza et al.·2015·View original on Semantic Scholar →
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Original publication title: Feline histoplasmosis: a case of supraorbital involvement* Histoplasmose felina: relato de caso com envolvimento supraorbital
- Species:
- cat
Plain-English summary
A rescued indoor cat developed sneezing, breathing problems, and a swollen area above its right eye, which led to a diagnosis of histoplasmosis, a fungal infection. Initially treated for allergic rhinitis, the cat's condition worsened, prompting further testing that confirmed the fungal infection. The veterinarian prescribed itraconazole, a common antifungal medication, and later added amphotericin B for two weeks when symptoms did not improve. After six months of treatment with itraconazole alone, the cat's symptoms resolved completely, and there were no signs of the infection returning.
People also search for: cat sneezing and breathing problems · histoplasmosis in cats treatment · cat eye swelling causes
Abstract
Histoplasmosis is a systemic fungal infection caused by the dimorphic fungus Histoplasma capsulatum that infects humans and a wide variety of mammalian species, including cats. In Brazil only four cases of this disease were reported in domestic cats. The present study reports a case of an indoor cat, rescued from street three years ago, that developed histoplasmosis with supraorbital involvement. The cat presented sneezing, dyspnea and increased respiratory sounds and the diagnosis suspected was allergic rhinitis. Prednisolone and amoxicillin were prescribed. The patient returned to clinic after clinical signs worsened with a swelling of the right supraorbital region, unilateral left side conjunctivitis and enlarged submandibular lymph nodes. Cytology and culture revealed Histoplasma capsulatum. Initially, itraconazole (10 mg/Kg SID orally) was prescribed and due to the worsening of clinical signs, was combined amphotericin B (0.5 mg/kg SC) for two weeks. The therapy with amphotericin was discontinued and itraconazole continued to be administered for six months. The clinical signs were resolved and no recrudescence was reported. It is important that veterinary practitioners to be aware of the clinical features of feline histoplasmosis and consider the possibility of a subclinical infection.
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Search related cases →Original publication on Semantic Scholar: https://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/e831dd134e011e8af83855249ceed8cc62b3858c