I have a ferret, Scooter, that has been diagnosis with Cryptococcus.  His
blood work came back normal.  During the exam we felt an enlarged lymph
node on his neck, right side.  The vets, Dr. Hanley and Dr. Pare of the
University of Madison Wisconsin Veterinary Teaching School, took a sample
of the tissue and found Cryptococcus.  The antigen titer was 1 : 1024.
We are treating him with Intraconazole.  I was wondering if anybody else
has come across this, as there are not many reported cases.  Dr. Hanley
is doing a research study with Scooter, so I would think that his
findings will be published.  He is a Marshall ferret that was rescued two
months ago from our local humane society.  I contacted the previous owner
and they said he never traveled, he was the only ferret, and never went
outside.  I live in Wisconsin and cryptococcus is usually not found
around here.  I am really curious when he picked this up, could it have
been at Marshall's?  I know there have been 19 reported cases in Penn.
from 1985 to 2002, in cats.  We recently had to put a fur kid to sleep
because of megaesophagus.  I haven't gotten the results back from the
necropsy, I was hoping they would find something that could of caused
mega, to help other ferrets.  If they do I'll let everybody know.  The
vets looked for Cryptococcus during a necropsy, but nothing turned up so
far.  I will keep everybody updated on Scooter's condition.  Dr. Hanley
says that I have very interesting ferrets, as both of these conditions
are rare.  We are just waiting to see what pops up next!
 
Nichole Grant
Owned by Scooter, Sully, Suzie, and Stiffler
At Da Bridge - Sky, Tate, TJ, and Slinky - God Bless
[Posted in FML issue 4538]