Gingival enlargement and dentition loss associated with disseminated Cryptococcus neoformans infection in a dog

A 1‐year‐old, female, spayed, mixed‐breed dog was examined by a referring veterinarian for a 1‐week history of sneezing, bilateral mucoid nasal discharge, mild bilateral ocular discharge and stertor. During rhinoscopy, a plant awn foreign body was removed, but upper respiratory signs persisted. Computed tomography of the head revealed findings consistent with chronic rhinitis. One week later, the owner reported marked tooth mobility, tooth loss, haemorrhage from the oral cavity and gingival enlargement. Diagnostic testing culminated in a diagnosis of oral cryptococcosis. Treatment with oral fluconazole was followed by marked clinical improvement and a decrease in cryptococcal antigen titre, although over the following 6 months, additional extractions and debridement of necrotic bone were required. Histopathology of the gingival biopsies identified persistent Cryptococcus infection, so antifungal drug treatment was continued.