Blastomycosis in a cat
Blastomycosis in a cat
Hello, I have a 7 year old cat that started acting very lethargic about 2 months ago. While she continued to eat, she started losing weight quite quickly. We took her to the vet who gave her subcutaneous fluids (she was slightly dehydrated) and a dewormer. She also tested her for feline aids, leukemia and a couple other common cat ailments but all came back negative. We took here home and while she continues to live, she sleeps most of the day, recently started walking with a limp and now has lesions on her head with one being very close to her eye. The bedding where she lies is littered with black "dirt" for lack of a better word. It does not appear to be from a flea infestation as it does not turn red when crushed and she is not scratching. She is also coughing quite a bit. My gut feeling is this is an advanced stage of Blastomycosis and I'm afraid we may be too late to treat her since she is down to about 3 pounds now. She is still very affectionate and I hate to end her life early but I don't want to be cruel either. Any advice? I have pictures that I could share but I don't see where I can post on this forum. I appreciate anyone's comments. We love her dearly but are on a shoe string budget and have all ready spend a couple hundred dollars at the vet. Thanks so much.
Re: Blastomycosis in a cat
I understand your budget concerns, and it's your call as to how much you can afford to spend. I would recommend you find a feline-only vet, or perhaps an infectious disease specialist and take some of the "dirt" with you to the appointment. Are you anywhere near a college/university with a vet school? That could be an option. As best I can tell the nearest vet school to you is UT/Knoxville. Might be worth the drive (call for an appointment first). Does your cat have enlarged (swollen) lymph nodes? These are almost always found in cases of Blastomycosis. And even if it does turn out to be Blasto, it is a treatable fungal infection, so I wouldn't give up yet. I hope you are able to find out what is wrong.
I'm sure Traci will respond and give you some very good information and advice. She is a very experienced vet tech and is the owner of this board.
Good luck.
I'm sure Traci will respond and give you some very good information and advice. She is a very experienced vet tech and is the owner of this board.
Good luck.
"A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than he loves himself." ~ Josh Billings.
Re: Blastomycosis in a cat
Karen thanks so much for your advice, i think you are right that UT Knoxville is the closest vet school so I will try them. Shes actually sitting up right now but looks dazed and has made some strange meowing noises. As much as I love her, I don't want her to suffer because of my desire to keep her alive. Here's hoping UT can help!
Re: Blastomycosis in a cat
I'm very sorry I didn't get to this yesterday.
If you live in an area that this is common and your local vets have seen cases of blastomycosis, it is possible kitty contracted it. However, it's also important to rule out histoplasmosis as the fungal disease is similar and has similar symptoms. Have you kept kitty indoors-only within the last year or two? Or, is she allowed outdoors? For future reference, please, Indoors Only!
To diagnose blastomycosis, the vet should have done a complete feline immunology panel and/or fungal profile, sent to an outside lab. (the FELV and other immunology tests were not enough). In the clinic, he could have taken a sample of any draining secretion from any of the open lesions, looked for certain cells under a slide, then sent the sample to a veterinary pathologist for review/diagnosis. A blood sample should also have been sent, but the blood serum tests are not as reliable as a fluid or tissue sample for blastomycosis.
If for some reason, the sores are not open wounds or draining secretions, then the vet could take a sample from the lymph nodes.
Xrays are extremely vital to view the lungs and evidence of fungal infection (or any other problem when there is obvious respiratory problems). Was an xray ever done?
Is or has there been a fever present?
I'm concerned that symptoms apparently started two months ago and seemingly are progressing, but you've only mentioned very little about how many times you've had kitty seen by a vet, that being only once? Did you seek a second opinion? Have you notified your vet that kitty's condition is progressing?
As Karen duly notes, I strongly advise you seek a feline-only vet (certified in feline medicine) or a veterinary specialist in immunology/fungal disease, and as Karen notes, preferably from a nearby vet university. Your vet is obligated to refer you IMMEDIATELY and help you get that appointment/exam set up NOW. A vet university specialist may not cost any more than any other private specialist, since most universities are teaching hospitals and they try to keep costs down for clients.
It is also possible that kitty has more than one condition going on.
The black specs you're seeing could be fleas, mites, etc. Just because she isn't scratching doesn't mean she doesn't have fleas or mites. It could also be that she is too weak to groom and her skin is not in pristine shape. Taking a sample of the specs to the vet/specialist is a good idea, they can examine under a slide.
Btw, you don't crush flea dirt, you simply place it on a white paper towel and drop water droplets on it, if it turns red, it is potentially flea or mite dirt.
I don't know how to advise about the skin lesions because "lesion" could be anything from abrasions, to open, oozing sores. They can be anything from food allergy, to fungal disease, to skin infection to even a type of cancer (don't want to alarm you, just want to note the potentials and rule-outs). The fact that they exist, coupled with the severe weight loss, seemingly sudden lameness, and lethargy are extremely concerning and you need to get to a specialist immediately (preferably TODAY). Regardless of the diagnosis, any vet would probably want to get her into better condition and weight before starting any radical treatments. (nutrition could be one important factor, like adding a high calorie diet, fluid maintenance, etc). It's important to remember that if fungal disease, the medications to treat this are not without certain side effects, although the vet would require regular monitoring/checkups/bloodwork during any treatment.
DO NOT GIVE UP ON YOUR KITTY. Fungal disease IS treatable, although ideally kitty should be in much better health and more optimal weight before strong medications are given, but this has to be left to the vet specialist's judgment. Medications CAN be started, but perhaps in lower doses, and regular monitoring.
Likewise, if this is a multiple condition, rule-outs should include hyperthyroidism, food allergy, mites, other immune-related conditions, lymphoma or cancer, ringworm, heartworm, etc. A specialist, upon exam of your kitty, and having previous health records for her, will be better equipped to determine which tests are most necessary and which treatment will be most effective.
DO NOT WAIT ONE MINUTE LONGER get that referral TODAY! In the meantime, ask your vet for a high-calorie veterinary diet, like Hill's Prescription A/D and get her started on it immediately so that she can get a head start on gaining back weight, and ask the vet to rehydrate her with fluids if necessary. If a food allergy is suspected, I'd suggest a hypoallergenic diet, but of the veterinary type as it provides all the nutrition she needs. Get that leg checked immediately, this is where at least two xrays would be ideal, one specifically of the chest, and a "kitty xray", meaning, a full body xray that can view the entire body and it's bone structure.
In the immediate sense, rehydration, possibly even hospitalization with IV fluid therapy and nutritional support are ideal while working on tests. Please, GO NOW.
If you live in an area that this is common and your local vets have seen cases of blastomycosis, it is possible kitty contracted it. However, it's also important to rule out histoplasmosis as the fungal disease is similar and has similar symptoms. Have you kept kitty indoors-only within the last year or two? Or, is she allowed outdoors? For future reference, please, Indoors Only!
To diagnose blastomycosis, the vet should have done a complete feline immunology panel and/or fungal profile, sent to an outside lab. (the FELV and other immunology tests were not enough). In the clinic, he could have taken a sample of any draining secretion from any of the open lesions, looked for certain cells under a slide, then sent the sample to a veterinary pathologist for review/diagnosis. A blood sample should also have been sent, but the blood serum tests are not as reliable as a fluid or tissue sample for blastomycosis.
If for some reason, the sores are not open wounds or draining secretions, then the vet could take a sample from the lymph nodes.
Xrays are extremely vital to view the lungs and evidence of fungal infection (or any other problem when there is obvious respiratory problems). Was an xray ever done?
Is or has there been a fever present?
I'm concerned that symptoms apparently started two months ago and seemingly are progressing, but you've only mentioned very little about how many times you've had kitty seen by a vet, that being only once? Did you seek a second opinion? Have you notified your vet that kitty's condition is progressing?
As Karen duly notes, I strongly advise you seek a feline-only vet (certified in feline medicine) or a veterinary specialist in immunology/fungal disease, and as Karen notes, preferably from a nearby vet university. Your vet is obligated to refer you IMMEDIATELY and help you get that appointment/exam set up NOW. A vet university specialist may not cost any more than any other private specialist, since most universities are teaching hospitals and they try to keep costs down for clients.
It is also possible that kitty has more than one condition going on.
The black specs you're seeing could be fleas, mites, etc. Just because she isn't scratching doesn't mean she doesn't have fleas or mites. It could also be that she is too weak to groom and her skin is not in pristine shape. Taking a sample of the specs to the vet/specialist is a good idea, they can examine under a slide.
Btw, you don't crush flea dirt, you simply place it on a white paper towel and drop water droplets on it, if it turns red, it is potentially flea or mite dirt.
I don't know how to advise about the skin lesions because "lesion" could be anything from abrasions, to open, oozing sores. They can be anything from food allergy, to fungal disease, to skin infection to even a type of cancer (don't want to alarm you, just want to note the potentials and rule-outs). The fact that they exist, coupled with the severe weight loss, seemingly sudden lameness, and lethargy are extremely concerning and you need to get to a specialist immediately (preferably TODAY). Regardless of the diagnosis, any vet would probably want to get her into better condition and weight before starting any radical treatments. (nutrition could be one important factor, like adding a high calorie diet, fluid maintenance, etc). It's important to remember that if fungal disease, the medications to treat this are not without certain side effects, although the vet would require regular monitoring/checkups/bloodwork during any treatment.
DO NOT GIVE UP ON YOUR KITTY. Fungal disease IS treatable, although ideally kitty should be in much better health and more optimal weight before strong medications are given, but this has to be left to the vet specialist's judgment. Medications CAN be started, but perhaps in lower doses, and regular monitoring.
Likewise, if this is a multiple condition, rule-outs should include hyperthyroidism, food allergy, mites, other immune-related conditions, lymphoma or cancer, ringworm, heartworm, etc. A specialist, upon exam of your kitty, and having previous health records for her, will be better equipped to determine which tests are most necessary and which treatment will be most effective.
DO NOT WAIT ONE MINUTE LONGER get that referral TODAY! In the meantime, ask your vet for a high-calorie veterinary diet, like Hill's Prescription A/D and get her started on it immediately so that she can get a head start on gaining back weight, and ask the vet to rehydrate her with fluids if necessary. If a food allergy is suspected, I'd suggest a hypoallergenic diet, but of the veterinary type as it provides all the nutrition she needs. Get that leg checked immediately, this is where at least two xrays would be ideal, one specifically of the chest, and a "kitty xray", meaning, a full body xray that can view the entire body and it's bone structure.
In the immediate sense, rehydration, possibly even hospitalization with IV fluid therapy and nutritional support are ideal while working on tests. Please, GO NOW.
..........Traci
Re posting pics. You have to have an online picture hosting account. Once they are uploaded to that account from your computer, the hosting account should detail how to post the pictures' urls on a forum. For example, you can use the forum buttons above each post text box, the button is called "URL" on the upper right of the text box, follow the prompts. You can also use html easily, just start with: [img] http://www. (url of the photo residing on your image hosting account) .JPG [/img] (or however the image hosting site specifies the url)
..........Traci
Re: Blastomycosis in a cat
Please keep posting and update us on your furbaby's progress. What is her name?
"A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than he loves himself." ~ Josh Billings.