Cat Fungal Infections

Cat fungal infections occur through inhalation of spores that affect their lungs and breathing. Fungal infections in the lungs are listed by veterinarians as one of the most common reason for early death in cats and kittens. Although the type of fungus varies by location and climate, most symptoms and treatments are similar.

  1. Types

    • Cryptococcosis is the most common fungal infection affecting the lungs in cats, as reported by gopetsamerica.com. The fungus is yeast like resulting from pigeon and bird dropping residue in soil in many areas of the United States. Blastomycosis is a fungal disease that is systemic as it affects one or many areas of the body. This infection is contagious to humans through an open wound. The Blastomycosis fungus is found in the Great Lakes states, Missouri and Mississippi. Coccidiomycosis is a fungal organism found in dry desert areas of North America. Histoplasmosis fungus creates a systemic infection in cats. This infection is found in the central United States and some areas in the southwest United States.

    Symptoms

    • Early symptoms of Cryptococcosis are coughing and wheezing along with discharge from the eyes and nose. Cryptococcosis that has spread through the body presents symptoms of blindness and discoordination. Blastomycosis in a cat has symptoms of coughing, fever, and rapid breathing. A severe case includes loss of weight, seizures, and lesions in the eye area. Severe or advanced cases many times result in death. Coccidiomycosis has symptoms of a lung infection, including coughing and wheezing. A cat infected with Histoplasmosis has the symptoms of coughing, diarrhea, weight loss and changes to the eyes.

    Causes

    • Cryptococcosis occurs when a cat inhales the spores found in soil. This infection is more common in male cats than female or dogs. The fungus of Blastomycosis is found in bat and bird droppings and infects a cat through inhalation of the spores. This infection is common in the fall season. A fungus infection from Coccidiomycosis occurs when a cat inhales the naturally occurring fungus. The infection starts in the lungs, but may spread to other areas of the body. Histoplasmosis originates from bird feces or soil that has been enriched organically with organisms carrying the fungus. Histoplasmosis infects a cat through inhalation of dust that contains the fungal spores. It is possible for humans to contract Histoplasmosis through dust that contains residue from poultry feces.

    Treatment

    • Cryptococcosis is not always treatable if the infection has spread through the body. Treatment success occurs only if the cat responds to the medication itraconazole. Vision loss is rarely reversible. Treating Blastomycosis is a long process that involves medications prescribed to fight the infection. Medications that respond to the infection are itraconazole, Amphotericin B and ketoconazole. Approximately 60 percent to 70 percent of infected cats will recover from Blastomycosis with treatment, according to gopetsamerica.com. Coccidiomycosis is difficult to treat as medication available to fight the fungus infection is limited. Treatment is a long process that becomes costly to the pet owner. Histoplasmosis is a long-term and possibly lifelong treatment with the medication itraconazole. Diseases that spread to the eyes may not respond to treatment.

    Prevention

    • It is difficult to prevent fungal infections in cats who are allowed outdoors. The only prevention is keeping a cat away from the cause of infection. Fungal infections are not common in cats only kept indoors. Keep cats current on all vaccinations as a prevention tool for infectious diseases.