Feline Sporotrichosis Symptoms and Treatments

Sporotrichosis is a rare but a potentially serious fungal infection that can infect cats, dogs, or people. Because of the risk of people contracting this disease from infected cats, the seriousness of this disease should never be underestimated. Because this disease is not very common, veterinarians or owners may often overlook Sporotrichosis as a potential cause of the symptoms.

Sporotrichosis is an infection caused by the fungus Sporothrix schenckii. Sporothrix schenkii is a dimorphic fungus that grows in a yeast form in body tissue and in culture at 37 Degree Celsius and grows as a filamentous fungus with fine septate branching hyphae at room temperature (30 Degree Celsius). The organism is generally considered to be a saprophyte and grows naturally on vegetation or in soil, with a predilection for soils rich in organic matter or vegetable debris, especially sphagnum moss and tree bark. Sporothrix schenkii has world-wide distribution and is found in temperate and tropical zones.

In cats, the lesions often occur on the head, legs, and tail which are the same locations as most cat bites. The cat bites may abscess and turn into lesions that will not heal and that ulcerate and drain. Cats generally have more of the fungal organisms in the draining fluids and are thus more likely to transmit the disease to humans. Some cats may become systemically sick and develop fevers, loss of appetite, and become lethargic.

Infected cats are treated with oral potassium iodide. Treatment usually lasts 4 to 8 weeks. Ketoconazole, and the more expensive itraconazole, are sometimes used as an alternative therapy. All of these compounds can be toxic to cats and are administered with caution and at lower doses than dogs.

Since Sporothrix is a fungus and not a bacteria, antibiotics are ineffective. Animals with sporotrichosis should not be given steroids.

Next article: Aspergillosis In Cats Symptoms and Treatments