Dr. Prestwood,
At the North American Veterinary Conference in January, the topic of
crypto in small animals was discussed. The speaker (I don't have the
proceedings here and I can't remember his name) states they are finding a
high percentage of puppies (and I believe kittens) coming from pounds
infected with crypto. The breakthrough in finding it was in staining
smears, from rectal wall swabs, with an acid fast stain. Crypto stains
positive and stands out nicely. He recommends doing an acid fast stain on
every puppy or kitten with an inflammatory diarrhea.
In his studies, the organism is common enough that the speaker was
recommending that small children and people with immune system problems be
very careful about getting a puppy or kitten from a group situation, like
a pound.
Al Wagener V.M.D.
