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I thought after reading for a moment or two I MIGHT get an understanding of the affiction my poor cat had to endure but now seems to be in remission after years of treatment.
My Vet tried to explain how this Pythiosis was a fungus but not really a fungus and kind of gave up when I realized he really didn't understand it either.
So I think I am more confused than I was with his roundy round explaination...too many subs in all this to make real sense of it...LOL I'll stick to the green blooming things I understand
That disease is not one I have had to treat, and hope never to. At least in cats it seems to be mostly a skin disease, where treatment is much more successful. Oomycetes are fungal-like organisms, but like so many things nowadays, seem to lack the tried and true characteristics needed to be described as a real fungus. These are called Water Molds commonly, but scientifically, they are in their own unique class of organisms, even more puzzling than fungi to pigeon hole into a classification. And since they are NOT fungi, the usual antifungal drugs used to treat pathogenic fungi seem to have less to no effect upon these organisms. Dogs that get the gastrointestinal form of this illness tend not to do well... some studies have shown that it is nearly 100% fatal, so be glad you don't have a dog. So far, it is super rare to unheard of southern California, and I hope it stays that way.
In cats not so hard but you have to be dedicated, observant and persistant not to mention get a diagnosis (she wasn't properly diagnosed for 2 years, 13 surgeries and 5 doctors later), Dogs don't get treated till there are real signs of distress by then it has spread all over, horses get it badly as well, real bad!! Actually personal experience has told me it has no problems invading muscle tissue of cats. We have been 3+ years without a cyst and she has just stopped treatment 6 months ago, this only means daily deep searches for any little bumps all over her little body...but she doesn't mind a bit (stretch and purr)
Your right antifungals do nothing! Thank goodness it isn't easily contracted by others, I have a house full here!
