Four cats with fungal rhinitis.
Fungal rhinitis is uncommon in the cat and cases of nasal aspergillosis-penicilliosis have been rarely reported. Signs of fungal rhinitis include epistaxis, sneezing, mucopurulent nasal discharge and exophthalmos. Brachycephalic feline breeds seem to be at increased risk for development of nasal aspergillosis-penicilliosis. Computed tomography (CT) imaging and rhinoscopy are useful in assessing the extent of the disease and in obtaining diagnostic samples. Fungal culture may lead to false negative or positive results and must be used in conjunction with other diagnostic tests. Serological testing was not useful in two cats tested. The cats in this study were treated with oral itraconazole therapy. When itraconazole therapy was discontinued prematurely, clinical signs recurred. Hepatotoxicosis is a possible sequel to itraconazole therapy.
Whitney
Beth L
BL
Veterinary Referral and Emergency Center, 123 West Cedar Street, Norwalk, CT, USA. bethwhitney@hotmail.com
Broussard
John
J
Stefanacci
Joseph D
JD
D000281:Administration, Intranasal; D000284:Administration, Oral; D000818:Animals; D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D001228:Aspergillosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000662:veterinary*; D002371:Cat Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology*; D002415:Cats; D017964:Itraconazole / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D008297:Male; D009181:Mycoses / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000662:veterinary*; D009296:Nasal Cavity / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000382:microbiology; D010407:Penicillium / Q000302:isolation & purification; D012220:Rhinitis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000662:veterinary*; D012852:Sinusitis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000662:veterinary*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000662:veterinary; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000935:Antifungal Agents; D017964:Itraconazole