Malaysia Veterinary Forum (Archive)

Calv · Joined: 21 Jan 2006 Posts: 48 Location: Klang/Serdang

Can i ask there is a 4 yrs old cat with sporotrichosis and we don't have itraconazole. What prescription sholud we give to the owner so that he can obtain from the pharmacy? Thnx

Dr Chong · Joined: 12 Dec 2005 Posts: 666 Location: KL

You're a vet student? Think keto can be used also. But why your customer needs to get it from the human pharmacy, but not from the clinic? Also, sporo is an important zoonotic disease, and the treatment will be long and frustrating. Have you told your customer about these?

Dr Nat · Joined: 07 Dec 2005 Posts: 1834 Location: Klang Valley

Firstly, how sure are you that its sporo?

Secondly, why does the owner need to go to a pharmacy to get it? Even if its your close buddy, you should encourage him to take the cat to a qualified vet.

Thirdly, if you can diagnose the cat with sporo, you should also know the responsibilities that comes with it. Sporo is a contagious and difficult to control fungal infection. And, as Dr Chong says, it is zoonotic. You have the responsibility of preventing the cat from becoming a public health concern. Are you taking some actions for this?

Calv · Joined: 21 Jan 2006 Posts: 48 Location: Klang/Serdang

actually this is not a real situation but a question given by our pharmacology lecture and we have to find the answer from different sources.

varanus · Joined: 12 Feb 2006 Posts: 472

Don't think like that, try not to be too negative. It's true Sporotrichosis is zoonotic and very dangerous, but it is not a death sentence once the cat contracted the fungal infection.

To treat or not to treat, there is a lists of criterias listed and given to you guys by Dr Habibah. If the criteria of the cat is acceptable and fullfill the list, you don't have to kill the cat.

Discuss with the owner about the risks involved, both the cat, the owner, the family and the community. Also discuss about the cost of treatment and duration of treatment. If the owner can accept it, why not? Remember to let the owner to sign consend form and disclaimer before you try the treatment, just in case someone got infected and the insurance company come after you for lawsuit.

For Calv, I think this is not a forum to look for answer for assignment. But if the clinic or hospital does not has stock of itraconazole, easy, write a priscription and ask the owner to get itraconazole from the pharmacy. Most pharmacy will have this medicine but it is extremely expensive, probably RM12 + - per capsules. There a generic one as well.

You can try ketoconazole as well. It works but the side effect is higher, bad for liver and potential Addison's Disease after you stop the keto. You can try fluconazole as well. But I am not sure how expensive it is.

Dr Bigguy · Joined: 19 Aug 2006 Posts: 8 Location: Kuching Sarawak

I agreed that itraconzole is expensive but it is cheaper to use generic ones that cost less than RM8.00 per capsule. However for a long course of say 3-4wks, it may cost substantial sum.

varanus · Joined: 12 Feb 2006 Posts: 472

Yup. But I will normally go for 3 months or at least 1 month after complete recovery, depending on the severity. Cost of medicine easily go pass RM1k. no including series of blood tests.

Calv · Joined: 21 Jan 2006 Posts: 48 Location: Klang/Serdang

can someone teach me how to write a prescription? don't know as a DVM3 student.thnx

Calv · Joined: 21 Jan 2006 Posts: 48 Location: Klang/Serdang

Is saturated potassium iodide solution help in this case?