ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: We evaluated the efficacy of cryosurgery in association with itraconazole for the treatment of feline sporotrichosis. We also compared the length of treatment protocol with others reported in the literature. METHODS: Cats naturally infected with fungi of the Sporothrix schenckii complex were evaluated. Diagnosis was confirmed by cytology and fungal culture. Prior to the cryosurgical procedure, every animal was receiving itraconazole 10 mg/kg/day PO, for different time periods. The same protocol was maintained until 4 weeks after complete healing of the lesions. RESULTS: Eleven of 13 cats were considered clinically cured. The treatment duration ranged from 14-64 weeks (median 32 weeks). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: The combination of cryosurgery and itraconazole was effective in treating cases of feline sporotrichosis and decreased the treatment length compared with protocols using only medication.
Subject(s)
Cat Diseases/drug therapy , Cat Diseases/surgery , Cryosurgery/veterinary , Sporotrichosis/veterinary , Animals , Antifungal Agents/therapeutic use , Cats , Cryosurgery/methods , Drug Therapy, Combination/veterinary , Itraconazole/therapeutic use , Sporotrichosis/drug therapyABSTRACT
Canine otoacariasis, or otodectic mange, is a common parasitic disorder of dogs' ear canals caused by the mite Otodectes cynotis. Infestation can be detected through diverse protocols of varying sensitivity. We evaluated the use of video otoscopy in comparison with conventional otoscopy and cerumen examination under a microscope for diagnosing O. cynotis in dogs. Thirty-five dogs were evaluated bilaterally for the presence of ear mites, using a veterinary otoscope (Gowlands®), a video otoscope (Welch Allyn®) and the gold-standard technique of examination of swab-collected cerumen under a microscope. Each ear was considered to represent one sample, and 69 ears were examined, since one dog presented with one completely stenotic ear canal. Ear mites were diagnosed in 59.42% (41/69) through video otoscopy. The same 41 infested ear canals were detected by means of cerumen examination under a microscope, whereas conventional otoscopy was able to diagnose mites in only 39.13% (27/69). This difference was statistically significant (p < 0.001). Video otoscopy proved to be superior to conventional otoscopy, and equivalent to the gold standard for detection of O. cynotis in canine ear canals, and should be recommended for controlled trials on drug efficacy for treatment of canine otoacariasis.
Subject(s)
Dog Diseases/diagnosis , Mite Infestations/veterinary , Otoscopy/veterinary , Animals , Dog Diseases/parasitology , Dogs , Female , Male , Mite Infestations/diagnosis , Otoscopy/methods , Video RecordingABSTRACT
The aim of this paper is to report the first description of gross pathological aspects of otoacariasis due to Edentalges bradypus Fonseca 1954 (Acari; Psoroptidae) infestation in the brown-throated three-toed sloth Bradypus variegatus Schinz, 1825 (Xenarthra; Bradypodidae) in Brazil. Mites were collected from massive skin crusts seen in both external ear canals and around both eyes of an extremely debilitated advanced-aged female sloth brought to the Wildlife Care Section of Universidade Estácio de Sá, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Subject(s)
Mite Infestations/veterinary , Psoroptidae/growth & development , Sloths/parasitology , Animals , Brazil , Female , Mite Infestations/parasitology , Mite Infestations/pathology , Skin/parasitology , Skin/pathologyABSTRACT
This paper reports the occurrence of parasitism by the Oriental eye-fluke, Philophthalmus gralli in ostriches reared in a commercial flock from the State of Minas Gerais State, Southeastern Brazil. The two affected birds presented lacrimation, inflammatory reaction and loss of body condition. After physical examination the birds revealed, 17 and 15 trematodes each, only in the right eyes. The economic impact of this parasite on Brazilian ostrich industry is still undetermined, requiring further studies.
