Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
A Case of Canine Sinonasal Aspergillus fumigatus Infection Associated With Intracranial Extension and Temporal Myositis.
- Journal:
- Veterinary medicine and science
- Year:
- 2025
- Authors:
- Cox, Sarah E et al.
- Affiliation:
- Department of Veterinary Medicine · United Kingdom
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A 12-year-old terrier was taken to the vet because it had been coughing, sneezing, and had a runny nose for four months. Tests showed that the dog had a fungal infection in its nasal area, which had spread to the brain. The vet performed a procedure to clean out the infection and treated the dog with antifungal medications, which helped improve its condition. After four weeks, follow-up imaging showed that the brain infection had lessened, but the dog developed inflammation in the muscles near its temple. Although the owners chose not to pursue more treatments, the dog has been doing well for the past four months, with just a little nasal discharge remaining.
Abstract
A 12-year-old terrier was referred for investigation of a 4-month history of coughing, sneezing and nasal discharge. Clinical findings were consistent with sinonasal Aspergillus fumigatus infection with evidence of intracranial extension on computed tomography. Endoscopic debridement followed by topical clotrimazole and systemic antifungal therapy resulted in clinical improvement. Magnetic resonance imaging after 4 weeks showed reduced intracranial disease but demonstrated evidence of temporal myositis. Repeated debridement and topical treatment were performed at 4 and 8 weeks in conjunction with long-term voriconazole therapy. Further interventions were declined; the dog remains clinically well after 4 months with unilateral nasal discharge. As in human patients, invasive subtypes of sinonasal aspergillosis may also occur in dogs and be associated with poorer response to treatment.
Find similar cases for your pet
PetCaseFinder finds other peer-reviewed reports of pets with the same symptoms, plus a plain-English summary of what was tried across them.
Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39740066/