Norshidah's elderly mother feeds many cats in her neighbourhood, and Nor noticed that one of the cats (whom her mum calls "Burt") came up with a lot of "wounds" after a huge catfight one day. So she enquired if I could make an appointment for this cat to be treated. The appointment was arranged for this evening.
Nor brought the cat in and at one look, and the vet said it is very, very likely to be Sporotrichosis. Sporotrichosis (like Puteri's case, but hers was just one spot on the nose) is a deep fungal infection and it is also a zoonotic disease, which means it can be transmitted to humans as well. Many years ago (maybe 10-15 years), it was required by law that all Sporo cases be euthanised because it poses a hazard to other animals and also humans. But ever since the drug Itraconazole was developed and marketed, that law was lifted and now, Sporotrichosis is treatable. However, many vets still prefer to suggest euthanasia in severe cases.
Just how bad is Burt? Well, take a look....
It is pretty severe...
There are many sores and some are oozing pus.
Swabs were taken and examined under the microscope to confirm that it is Sporotrichosis (the tell-tale cigar shaped fungus).
Our panel vet cannot board Sporo cases, and our other panel vet also does not board Sporo cases anymore ever since the last one done. Nor's mother is quite elderly and would not be able to handle medicating a cat, what more a pretty fierce one at that. And Sporo is zoonotic, so it would be dangerous for any untrained person to handle Burt. Our vet helped us call other vets, and thankfully, he found a vet who is willing to take Burt, board him and treat him.
Burt, on the way to the other vet.
Burt in the isolation ward.
The drug is Itraconazole and treatment plus boarding at this vet is RM40 per day. Treatment for Sporotrichosis is expected to be spread over weeks or even months, so it is going to be very costly. For example, Puteri's treatment stretched from June till September. However, this vet said sometimes, in certain cases, there is improvement after a few weeks. But the treatment has to continue for the long term.
Nor paid for today's consultation and she wanted to pay for Burt's treatment as well, but with the extended boarding and period of treatment at RM40 per day, it is going to be very costly for Nor to shoulder the bill alone.
I told Nor we will definitely help her with the bill. I have also spoken to PetFinder.my and they too will raise funds for Burt if Nor applies. So, together, we will help Burt and Nor with this.
Get well soon, Burt!
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