Cryptococcosis?!

[profcat]

Well, this was something our vet did not expect. Our 10 year old cat, Toby, has always had teeth issues. My partner noticed he had red gums and took him to the vet. Vet thought it was a badly infected tooth and set to remove it. She didn't like the way the tissue looked and thought it could be cancer, so she sent it for a biopsy.

Not cancer. Cryptococcosis. Crazy! We think he got it when he was a stray years ago, and carried it until he got older and his immune system couldn't fight it anymore.

So we have ordered a compounded antifungal medication for him. He doesn't have any other lesions we know of, but he has been sneezing. And now that we know what it is he is sneezing more than ever! He hasn't really seemed himself the last couple weeks (we thought it was a bad tooth), but his appetite has always been great.

Any experiences with this? How soon should he start feeling better after the meds? Our vet has little experience with it, and what she has seen was very advanced and the pets didn't make it long at all.

 

[FeebysOwner]

Hi. I am sorry no one has yet responded to your post. I know next to nothing about this condition, but was wondering if your vet - given her limited experience, has considered consulting with an internal medicine specialist?

I also found a couple of members who appear they might have some knowledge on this matter: BlackCatOp , and another who I am not sure is still active on this site (last seen 8/2020) - kamijo . Perhaps, they can provide some insight - or know others who can.

You are likely no stranger to doing research, but I thought I would give you a few articles I found on the internet anyway.
https://criticalcaredvm.com/cryptococcosis-cats-fungal-infection/
Cryptococcosis in Cats | Cat-World
Cryptococcosis |

Hoping some other members will come along soon and have some input for you!

 

[fionasmom]

Okay, so I am just going to say this.....if you look at link 2 especially, I had a wonderful adult rescue who only lived with me for a year because of developing the CNS version. He had been outside,I believe abandoned after having been a pet, and found my feral colony but quickly abandoned them when he realized that a human in a house might help him. Pretty much what you said about your cat in paragraph 2.

I hope that your cat will do well and conquer this, but I would definitely find the specialist, especially if your vet has limited experience.

 

[profcat]

Thanks, everyone! Our vet reached out to a friend from vet school who has seen more cases of this, and she's ordered the medication for Toby. We just hope it comes in soon -- it has to be compounded by a specialty vet.

From what I've read, his case does not appear as advanced as when cryptococcosis is usually identified. Usually it's when there are multiple lesions, etc. So far he sounds like he has a head cold, and he only had the mouth lesion and some missing patches of fur (we assume that's from the fungus as well).

I am hoping we get him on the medication soon so he can start feeling better! Who knows how long we have with him, but it seems possible the medication will help manage this and keep the fungus at bay.

 

[BlackCatOp]

Sorry for the delay in responding and sorry to hear about your kitty. Where I currently live, fungal infections are quite common even in indoor only cats (which is terrifying) however histoplasmosis is more common than cryptococcosis.

Hopefully, the medication has been received by now and I am assuming it is an azole medication (fluconazole or itraconazole). Treatment can be long and should continued until kitty is antigen negative (via blood or urine) on the latex cryptococcal antigen agglutination test.

If the cutaneous lesions are also thought to be related, I would be concerned about systemic spread but as long as kitty is receiving one of the above medication, then it’s of minor concern except it may indicate prolonged treatment if disease is systemic.

It’s a good thing this fungal infection was caught and it sounds like before your kitty was showing serious signs of the disease.
Best Wishes for you and your kitty!