Mycotic rhinitis is common in dogs and most often caused by A. fumigatus, although other species of Aspergillus or Penicillium can cause similar disease. Clinical presentation may include combinations of chronic sneezing, unilateral or bilateral mucopurulent nasal discharge, epistaxis, stertor, and nasal pain. Most infections are due to inhalation of spores that are common in the environment, with focal infections establishing in the caudal nasal passages or frontal sinuses. Infection may result from high numbers of inhaled spores or poor host resistance. Immunosuppression or nasal foreign bodies may also increase susceptibility. The fungal colonies damage the mucosa and may cause bone lysis in affected cavities. CT scans provide information about the severity of bone involvement. Definitive diagnosis requires a positive fungal culture or histopathologic evaluation of a fungal plaque. Cytology of a nasal flush may provide a presumptive diagnosis. Treatment may be topical, systemic, or both, with surgical intervention to flush sinuses or nasal cavities and instill antifungal agents. Systemic antifungal therapy is long term, and relapse is common.
Links to sections in MVM:
Aspergillosis
Computed Tomography
Overview of Hemostatic Disorders
References
Stewart J, Bianco D. Treatment of refractory sino-nasal aspergillosis with posaconazole and terbinafine in 10 dogs. J Small Anim Pract. 2017 May 9. doi: 10.1111/jsap.12686
Corrigan VK, Legendre AM, Wheat LJ, Mullis R, Johnson B, Bemis DA, Cepero L. Treatment of Disseminated Aspergillosis with Posaconazole in 10 Dogs. J Vet Intern Med. 2016 Jan-Feb;30(1):167-73. doi: 10.1111/jvim.13795
Preston TJ, Hosgood GL, Paul A. Surgical management of refractory nasal aspergillosis using iodine cadexomer dressings in three dogs. Aust Vet J. 2016 Nov;94(11):405-410. doi: 10.1111/avj.12508