Can a fungal infection like cryptococcosis affect my cat's eyes?
Updated On September 23rd, 2025
Cam *retrobulbar* optic neuritis occur in cryptococcosis in cats?
2 Answers
Most Helpful Answer
Published on August 30th, 2019
Hello. Unfortunately, yes, cryptococcosis can cause this condition in cats, along with blastomycosis & histoplasmosis. Other infections including viruses & protozoal etiologies can cause this as well as trauma & neoplasia. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.
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Related Answers from Veterinarians
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Published on September 1st, 2019
To the best of my knowledge cryptococcosis does not cause granulomatous chorioretinitis. I believe other fungal agents do like blastomycosis. It is better if you consult with a veterinary ophthalmologist about this question as they would know best. I am not even sure what fungal agents are prevalent in Singapore.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Health & Wellbeing
Is chorioretinitis in cryptococcosis in cats always granulomatous, or can it be non-granulomatous as well
To the best of my knowledge cryptococcosis does not cause granulomatous chorioretinitis. I believe other fungal agents do like blastomycosis. It is better if you consult with a veterinary ophthalmologist about this question as they would know best. I am not even sure what fungal agents are prevalent in Singapore.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
Can aspergillosis lead to optic neuritis in cats? What protozoa infections and fungal infections can lead to optic neuritis in cats besides toxoplasmosis and cryptococcosis?
Thanks for using Boop by Petco! In theory yes, aspergillosis can lead to optic neuritis though the reason this is not typically considered is because this is rare in cats in comparison to toxoplasmosis and cryptococcosis which are more common. In theory any infection in the region of the optic nerve can result in optic neuritis. Have a good day!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
My FIV+ cat suddenly went blind 1 mth ago. Dxed with possible optic neuritis. Toxoplasmosis and cryptococcosis negative. Today, vet saw chorioretinitis in 1 eye. Does this lower the possibility of tumour and raise possibility of inflammatory/infectio
Thanks for using Boop by Petco! It does make infectious/inflammatory more likely though there is still a possibility that this is something else such as a tumor. I recommend following up with your veterinarian as they know the case better. Have a good day!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
I've been treating Abba for severe eye issues. Her eye was recently sewn shut to inhibit healing, also an oral antibiotic, anti fungal med. They're thinking a sever case of herpes. My question: can I contract any bacteria from her? I already do hav
Hi, thanks for using Boop by Petco! If you are having eye issues you should see a human physician. Feline Herpes is not contagious to people as people herpes is not contagious to cats. As long as you wash your hands and do not touch your eye after handling Abba you shouldn't contract a bacterial infection from her. If your Vet cultured a specific bacterial from Abba you should ask them about the zoonotic potential of that bacteria. I hope this helps and I wish you both the best!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
hi, there is a feral cat who comes around the house for food and to spend time with our own cat. he's friendly to other cats but won't let humans approach. for a couple of weeks his right eye has been weeping, and today we noticed it is almost opaque
This could be due to an infection (viral or bacterial), but it could also be due to trauma (such as cat fight, head trauma). Unfortunately when treating eyes it is a must to be able to medicate the patient with topical medications, so it may be impossible to treat for infection/inflammation in this situation. If there was trauma to the eye and it is no longer visual you can surgically remove the eye (enucleation) so that it is no longer a source of pain, which could be a viable option but it would require a veterinary visit. The eye does appear to be much smaller than the left eye in the picture, so I would be concerned that this has been a chronic process and the right eye is no longer visual for him (or her).
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
Does this look like it could be a fungal infection?
Thanks for using Boop by Petco! Yes, it could be a fungal infection though it could also be a bacterial infection or even a non-infectious lesion perhaps due to mild trauma. I recommend that you have him evaluated by your veterinarian for further assessment and treatment. Your veterinarian would be able to look at it under the microscope and determine what kind of infection this is most likely and treat accordingly. Good luck and happy new year!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
I read that FIV is one of the most common viral causes of chorioretinitis. If a cat is FIV positive and has chorioretinitis, is it automatically assumed that the chorioretinitis is caused by FIV? Or could there be other causes for it?
Hi and thanks for your request. There are many causes of chorioretinitis and even though FIV is quite common, generally speaking parasites, fungal infections, bacterial infection (e.g., Bartonella), other viral infections (e.g., feline leukemia, feline infectious peritonitis), autoimmune disease, cancer, toxicity (e.g., antifreeze poisoning, or adverse reaction to medications) are all possible. A clinical examination at your local veterinarian is essential to confirm these clinical suspicions and treat appropriately. Hope this answer was helpful, but please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further. If this answer was helpful please let us know, this will be used to improve our service!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
How to stop fungal infection in cats
Most of these cats will respond to local treatment. It must be a medication indicated for pets since the cat may in just the medication. There are also medicated dips and systemic medications as well. Since the areas on the eye, if you treat topically, Angel will need to wear an Elizabethan collar at all times to protect the medication from being wiped away. Speak with your veterinarian about her best option. Thank you for using Boop by Petco.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
I reeeally need your advice! I live in Georgia, we do not have a reliable ophthalmologist here. I have three different diagnosis from three different doctors and I am sure non of them are true. They are prescribing me human medications. please if you
This looks like a fungal infection to me but it could also be scarring from a corneal ulcer or herpes keratitis. It is extremely difficult to diagnose eye problems with photographs. We need to be able to examine the eye with an ophthalmoscope and some testing will likely need to be done to get a definitive diagnosis. From what I can tell though, the globe of the eye looks OK. It just appears that the cornea is affected. I would continue with the medications they gave you but honestly, there will probably always be a scar there. I wouldn't expect the eye to ever appear normal. It should not really affect him though in the long run. I'm not sure I'd be too concerned. Hope this helps. Best wishes.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
It seems that my cats eye (I guess where the tear duct is located) is slightly larger and she has like a brownish green eye boogie. What should I do?
Hi and thanks for using Boop by Petco! Sorry to hear about Trinidad. The most likely cause is an upper respiratory virus/organism infecting the inner part of the eyelids called the conjunctiva. There are a few viruses that cause this in addition to a few bacteria. Herpes virus, calicivirus, chlamydia, and mycoplasma are just a few of the organisms that can cause this in cats/kittens. These organisms are NOT contagious to people but are contagious to other cats. Kittens get infected by their mom and many of them become chronic carriers of the viruses. Once the infection takes hold and damages the conjunctiva, a secondary bacterial infection can take hold which often is noticed by a green/yellow eye discharge. Other signs can include those similar to a common cold in people- sneezing, runny nose, coughing, fever, lethargy, decreased appetite, etc. The other possibilities for this include a tear duct problem, injury to the eye, etc. Your vet can take a detailed history, examine Tr
Updated on September 24th, 2025
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