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Histoplasmosis infection

post #1 of 12
8/14/10 at 9:39am
Thread Starter 
Has anyone dealt with this? Strictly lung infection, not systemic. Was itraconazole @ two weeks enough or did your cats (or even yourself or a dog) take longer treatment?
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post #2 of 12
8/15/10 at 2:56pm
Thread Starter 
I'm guessing this one is just too rare for people on here to have personal experience with? The only other thread was from 2001, the poor poster's cat had the GI infection that had spread to other organs and did not survive it.

Let it be a warning to anyone reading. If your cat suddenly starts coughing or showing other odd signs of illness (from GI to just being oddly anemic or having liver problems) have the vet test for fungal infections. Outdoor, indoor/outdoor, and even cats that haven't been outside in many months are the ones this can turn up in. Cats with weakened immune systems and kittens can't fight this off as effectively. The same goes for other animals and humans. Fungi vary from area to area, so be aware of what is in your area and what spreads it.

Hopefully Blann's infection hasn't spread past his lungs. If it has he'll probably not survive this. How this infection laid low for nearly 11 months with no symptoms and even never noticed with all his vet visits (including a couple rounds of blood work) amazes me.
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post #3 of 12
8/15/10 at 7:37pm
... I have limited experience with this ( human not kitty) so I cant help you .
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post #4 of 12
8/15/10 at 8:51pm
I just now saw this thread. Only once have I seen a fungal lung infection in a shelter kitty, and unfortunately yes it had spread beyond the lungs. She died 24 hours after it was diagnosed. She was a stray, we took her to the vet right away, but we had no history on her & she was in very tough shape when we got her.
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post #5 of 12
8/15/10 at 9:02pm
Oh, Strange_Wings, I'm so sad to see this. Sending many prayers that Blann gets well and does so quickly.
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post #6 of 12
8/16/10 at 4:35am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by white cat lover View Post
I just now saw this thread. Only once have I seen a fungal lung infection in a shelter kitty, and unfortunately yes it had spread beyond the lungs. She died 24 hours after it was diagnosed. She was a stray, we took her to the vet right away, but we had no history on her & she was in very tough shape when we got her.
Poor girl. Apparently the key to them surviving is being in good shape. Blann's a slightly overweight kitten with typical kitten energy (currently racing around the house). I hope his appetite stays good once he's on the itraconazole.

I'm mostly concerned that two weeks will not be enough, not when this infection has been laying low for months. Everything I read online says closer to 3 or even 6 months of treatment. This will mean another x-ray($100), serology test ($77), and blood test to check his liver (~$80-100) - ouch. And of course another round of all of this when his body is already stressed.

I don't even know what the itraconazole will cost, they had to order it and with luck that will be in tomorrow. Has anyone use this for other fungal infections like ringworm?
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post #7 of 12
8/16/10 at 9:21am
I knew it sounded familiar, but I've had no experience with it here. itraconazole = Sporanox (brand name)
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post #8 of 12
8/17/10 at 11:58am
Thread Starter 
I guess there were some problems getting the itraconazole so they went with ketoconazole instead. I don't know how much good compounding it with chicken flavoring does... I made the mistake of smelling the stuff and started gagging. And I usually have a strong stomach. Poor kitty. (let that be a warning to anyone who's usually curious enough to smell meds - don't!)

90 day supply @ $130!


ETA:... Tanna (Blann's sister) just had a coughing fit in my lap... Someone shoot me.
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post #9 of 12
8/17/10 at 1:06pm
BIG .... May things calm down
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post #10 of 12
8/17/10 at 1:22pm
Thread Starter 
I think my DH and I are just going to borrow a few thousand and get the other two kittens tested/treated. I know they have to have it, too, it's just too suspicious for them to cough the exact same cough as their brother.

I just hope that between an infection that can be hard to beat with no relapses and hepatoxic anti fungals that all three survive. I have a bad feeling about this to be honest.
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post #11 of 12
8/17/10 at 5:15pm
I'm praying hard for all of you, Strange_Wings. What a terrible thing to be going through.
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post #12 of 12
8/18/10 at 2:45am
Oh man, I'm in tears for you. I know about vet bills. I don't know(and don't want to know) how much I have spent in even the last 3 months. I was lucky mine was kind of spread out. I don't know what I would do if it all had to be at once. I am so so sorry.

and more that everyone does great and pulls through. Really sick kitties, with an unknown prognosis, is not fun.

and more

I hope everyone does awesome and we can see happy posts. Know we are all here for you, just you are for us when our kitties are sick.

I hope everything turns out ok. Please please let us know how it's going.

Remember cats can do amazing things and magic recoveries. Attitude was supposed to die for her last URI, another leukemia kitty was too but they both came back bigger and badder than before. Mama survived for at least 4 days(took me that long to catch her) in sub-zero wind chills with a rectal prolapse that left several inches of her intestines hanging out of her anus. She was still eating like a champ and by how she was acting you wouldn't know anything was wrong with her, but when you looked at her it was very obvious.

You are doing the right thing and they will forever be grateful for it.

Taryn
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