Cryosurgery in association with itraconazole for the treatment of feline sporotrichosis.

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.