Cryptococcus is a genus of encapsulated environmental yeasts (mainly Cryptococcus neoformans and the C. gattii complex) that can infect animals—most commonly cats and dogs—usually after inhalation of contaminated soil, decaying wood, or bird droppings or by direct skin inoculation. In animals, it most often causes chronic nasal disease (sneezing, nasal discharge, depigmentation, or nodules on the nasal planum) or cutaneous nodules and ulcers, and it can disseminate to the lungs, eyes, and the central nervous system. Diagnosis relies on cytology/histopathology, fungal culture, and serum cryptococcal antigen testing; treatment requires prolonged systemic antifungal therapy (often fluconazole or itraconazole), sometimes combined with surgical debulking and monitoring for relapse.

Sporotrichosis is a fungal infection caused by Sporothrix schenckii, it is uncommon in dogs compared to cats, likely due to differences in behavior and exposure. This rarity makes it a challenging diagnosis for veterinarians; many cases may initially be mistaken for bacterial infections, allergic reactions, or other more common skin conditions.

Recently, we had the opportunity to treat one of these rare cases—a foxhound named Evie—right here at Mid-Atlantic Veterinary Dermatology.