Canine Blastomycosis
Canine blastomycosis is a fungal disease that usually begins in the lungs. After infecting the lungs, it spreads to other parts of your dog’s body. This condition causes symptoms similar to a viral infection or cancer. Therefore, it is routinely misdiagnosed.
Cause
Blastomycosis is caused by a fungus that grows in decaying vegetation or moist soil. The fungus releases spores when the soil or vegetation is disturbed. Dogs easily inhale these spores into their lungs while digging. Humans can also inhale these spores and become infected.
Symptoms
As mentioned earlier, the symptoms of this disease are usually mistaken for cancer, canine Lyme disease, a viral infection, or canine valley fever. Common symptoms include lethargy, loss of appetite, and fever. It is also common for dogs to develop lesions on their paws and nose.
Some dogs also suffer ocular disorders. This can prompt your dog to suddenly go blind. If blastomycosis causes your dog to lose his vision, he will never get it back. The fungus originates in the lungs and can also cause respiratory problems as the disease advances. These symptoms can progress very quickly and cause death if not diagnosed fast enough.
Diagnosis
In order to diagnose canine blastomycosis, the veterinarian will have to extract fluid or tissue samples. These samples can be taken from fluid your dog coughs up, a skin lesion, or a swollen lymph node. The veterinarian will then examine the sample under a microscope to look for the fungus.
Treatment
The main method of treatment for this disease is oral anti-fungal medication. Your dog will have to take this medication for at least three months. Most dogs can discontinue treatment after six months, but some will have to go a bit longer.
Prognosis
Your dog will have a much better chance of surviving this disease if it is diagnosed and treated early. It can spread to the spinal cord, brain, or bones if left unchecked. In these cases, the prognosis will be much worse. Other factors that influence the prognosis include your dog’s age, overall health, and location of the lesions.
Prevention
The fungus that causes canine blastomycosis normally inhabits soil along streams and rivers. Therefore, it is best to prevent your dog from digging up soil in these areas. The fungus is especially prevalent along the Ohio River, Mississippi River, and upper Midwest.
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