Clinical features, outcomes, and long-term survival times of cats and dogs with central nervous system cryptococcosis in Australia: 50 cases (2000-2020).

OBJECTIVE: To describe the clinical findings and outcomes of Australian cats and dogs with CNS cryptococcosis. ANIMALS: 19 cats and 31 dogs with CNS cryptococcosis diagnosed between 2000 and 2020. PROCEDURES: A case series and cohort study were performed using the same 50 animals. Both studies were multi-institutional and both retrospective and prospective. Disease features were compared between cats and dogs, and associations between putative risk factors and survival time (ST) were assessed. RESULTS: Dogs were younger at initial presentation than cats and had lower latex cryptococcal antigen agglutination titers. Extraneurologic signs were common and frequently involved sinonasal and contiguous tissues. Neuroanatomic localization was predominantly forebrain, central vestibular (including cerebellum), multifocal, or diffuse. CSF analysis predominantly showed pleocytosis, with eosinophilic inflammation common in dogs. Seventy-eight percent (39/50) of patients received antifungal treatment. Median STs (from presentation) in treated patients were 1,678 days for cats and 679 days for dogs. Abnormal mentation at presentation (in dogs) and CSF collection (in cats) were associated with shorter STs. In treated dogs, those that received glucocorticoids prior to diagnosis, or single rather than multiple antifungal agents, had shorter STs. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The prognosis for feline and canine CNS cryptococcosis is guarded, yet long STs are possible with appropriate treatment. Presence of subtle upper respiratory tract signs may suggest cryptococcosis in patients with neurologic signs, while the absence of neurologic signs does not preclude CNS involvement.

Tracheal pseudomembrane secondary to aspiration pneumonia in a 6-year-old Ragdoll.

CASE SUMMARY: A 6-year-old female spayed Ragdoll presented with a 4-day history of acute onset non-productive retching, coughing and anorexia. A complete blood count, serum biochemistry, thoracic radiography and abdominal ultrasound were performed. Initially, aspiration pneumonia was suspected owing to an alveolar lung pattern in the right cranial ventral lung lobes seen on radiographs. The cat did not improve with empirical antibiotic therapy. Bronchoscopy and bronchoalveolar lavage were performed. An intraluminal tracheal mass was identified and removed via endoscopic guidance and gentle traction. Histopathology results were consistent with a fibrinous tracheal pseudomembrane. The cat was concurrently diagnosed with Pseudomonas aeruginosa pneumonia, which was confirmed on bronchoalveolar lavage. Pseudomonas aeruginosa was also cultured within the pseudomembrane. The cat was received antimicrobial therapy for his Pseudomonas pneumonia. In humans, fibrinous tracheal pseudomembranes occur uncommonly as a complication following endotracheal intubation and rarely due to infectious organisms. As there was no prior history of endotracheal intubation, the development of fibrinous tracheal pseudomembrane in this cat was suspected to be secondary to Pseudonomas aeruginosa aspiration pneumonia. RELEVANCE AND NOVEL INFORMATION: The present case report is the first to describe a tracheal pseudomembrane in a cat. Bronchoscopy-guided gentle traction and subsequent removal of the tracheal pseudomembrane resulted in a complete resolution of the clinical signs.

Safety and Tolerability of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy in Cats and Dogs.

This prospective clinical trial was designed to evaluate the safety of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) in a population of cats and dogs with a variety of naturally occurring diseases. Seventy-eight dogs and twelve cats with various naturally occurring disease conditions, who had the potential to benefit from HBOT, were enrolled in the study. These patients were treated with HBOT in a monoplace hyperbaric oxygen chamber at 2 air pressure absolute for a treatment length of either 45 min or 60 min. There were 230 hyperbaric oxygen treatments performed during the study period. No major adverse effects were observed. There were 76 minor adverse effects recorded, which were not considered to be of clinical significance. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy was well tolerated and there were no major adverse effects recorded during treatment.