Introduction
Diagnosis
Clinical signs
- Mucopurulent (initially serous), unilater or bilateral nasal discharge.
- Ulceration or depigmentation of the nares.
- Sneezing.
- Facial pain.
- Epistaxis.
- Stertorous breathing.
Diagnosis
Differential diagnosis
- Nasal neoplasia
. - Bacterial rhinitis: Bordetella bronchiseptica
, Pasteurella multocida
. - Mixed bacterial/viral rhinitis.
- Cryptococcosis
. - Dental disease
. - Palatine defects
.
- Prior trauma.
- Allergic rhinitis.
- Canine distemper.
- Rhinosporidiosis.
Sequelae
Prognosis
- Good in mnay cases.
- Fair is complicated by primary or secondary bacterial rhinitis.
- Poor to guarded with extension into the orbit or brain.
Expected response to treatment
- Resolution of nasal discharge/epistaxis within 7-14 days of completion of topical treatment.
- Improvement in clinical signs within 4 weeks of systemic treatment.
- Absence of fungal plaques on rhinoscopy.
- Negative histopathology on follow-up biopsy.
Reasons for treatment failure
- Infection in frontal sinus not adequately treated during topical therapy.
- Extension into the orbit or brain.
- Resistance to one or more antifungal drugs.
- Inappropriate treatment dosages or duration.
Sources
Publications
Refereed papers
- Johnson L R, Drazenovich T L, Herrera M A & Wisner E R (2006) Results of rhinoscopy alone or in conjunction with sinuscopy in dogs with aspergillosis: 46 cases (2001-2004). JAVMA 228 , 738-742 PubMed.
- Claeys S, Lefebvre J-B, Schuller S, Hamaide A & Clercx C (2006) Surgical treatment of canine nasal aspergillosis by rhinotomy combined with enilconazole infusion and oral itraconazole. JSAP 47 , 320-324 PubMed.
- De Lorenzi D, Bonfanti U, Masserdotti C, Caldin M & Furlanello T (2006) Diagnosis of canine nasal aspergillosis by cytological examination: a comparison of four different collection techniques. JSAP 47 , 316-319 PubMed.
- Sissener T R, Bacon N J, Friend E, Anderson D M & White R A S (2006) Combined clotrimazole irrigation and depot therapy for canine nasal aspergillosis. JSAP 47 , 312-315 PubMed.
- Saunders J H, Clercx C, Snaps F R, Sullivan M, Duchateau L, van Bree H J & Dondelinger R F (2004) Radiographic, magnetic resonance imaging, computed tomographic, and rhinoscopic features of nasal aspergillosis in dogs. JAVMA 225 (11), 1703-1712 PMID.
- Friend E G, Williams J M, White R A (2002) Invasive treatment of canine nasal aspergillosis with topical clotrimazole. Vet Rec 151, 298-299.
- Zonderland J L, Stork C K, Saunders J H et al(2002) Intranasal infusion of enliconazole for treatment of sinonasal aspergillosis in dogs. J Am Vet Med Assoc 221, 1421-1425.
- Willis A M, Martin C L, Stiles J (1999) Sino-orbital aspergillosis in a dog. J Am Vet Med Assoc 214, 1644-1647.
- Matthews K G, Davidson A P, Koblik P D et al(1998) Topical clotrimazole therapy in dogs with nasal aspergillosis. J Am Vet Med Assoc 213 (4), 501-506.
- Davison A, Komtebedde J, Pappagianis D et al(1992) Treatment of nasal aspergillosis with topical clotrimazole. J Vet Intern Med 6, 124.
- Sharp N J K, Harvery C E, Sullivan M (1991) Canine nasal aspergillosis and penicilliosis. Compend Contin Educ Pract Vet 12, 41-48.
Other sources of information
- Davidson A P & Pappagianis D (1995) Treatment of nasal aspergillosis with clotrimazole. In: Bonagura J D & Kirk R W (eds) Current Veterinary Therapy XII. Philadelphia: W B Saunders. pp 899.
- Sharp N J K (1998) Canine nasal aspergillosis-penicilliosis. In Greene CE: Infectious Diseases of the Dog and Cat. 2nd Edn. W B Saunders, Philadelphia, pp 404-409.







