Histoplasmosis is a kind fungal infection that mostly infects cats and is caused by a fungus known as histoplasma capsulatum. This fungus is mostly found in dirty and infected soil and enters the body easily through the lungs. The disease can cause different respiratory and intestinal problems to the cat.

Most outdoor cats get infected by taking in or breathing in the spore-like particles of the fungus that are within the soil. These particles are so tiny that these are able to go into the lungs. Some indoor cats have been found to have histoplasmosis and the reason is because of the infected potted soil inside the house.

The most common and notable signs of the infection in cats are loss of appetite and loss of weight. The cat is in no mood to play or eat as it prefers to stay quiet in a corner looking tired and depressed. The cat finds it harder to breath and may have a cough to deal with at the same time. In addition to these symptoms, the cat may be considered anemic, because if you check out its gums, the gums look pale compared to its healthy normal pinkish color. All these symptoms mean that your cat‘s immune system is weak to withstand the infection that has invaded its body.

Treatment of histoplasmosis may differ depending on how infectious it has become. In some cases of this disease, treatment may not be necessary because the cat itself will be able to heal the infection on its own. If the cat is healthy enough to combat the spread of the disease, then less harm is done, and eventually the cat would be able to recover.

However, there are some risks as always when infection has set in, especially if the cat’s immune system is not strong enough to fight this disease. This poses a danger to cats if histoplasmosis attacks the cat’s immune system in its weakest state.

It is important to remember that histoplasmosis can severely infect cats and other animals when the immune system is weak, and it would be able to spread into the other internal organs. If the infection is already widespread, treatment may not be effective anymore.

The best prevention is to take care of the cat, let it roam around in a clean area away from infected soil and dirt as much as possible. Proper food should be given to the cat to always keep it healthy to endure infection, and going to the vet is good for a regular check on your cat’s health.

A recommended form of treatment is antifungal drugs such as Intraconazole or ketoconazole. Supportive care is also a good way to take care of the cat when infection has started to set in, and help your cat to fight off the infection. It is just sad to say that there is no known or recommended vaccine for histoplasmosis.

The giving of proper nutrition to cats is also a good preventive measure. If medications are prescribed, then these should be strictly followed to ensure the better health of your cat.

Jonathan Pitts

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