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Blastomycosis In Dogs - Information on Signs, Symptoms and Treatment For Blastomycosis In Dogs

Blastomycosis is a fungal disease and is often found in hunting dogs.

Blastomycosis is caused by a fungus called Blastomyces dermatitidis and this fungus occurs as mold in soil. Once it is exposed to a body, like a dog, the body temperatures convert this fungus into yeast. Hunting dogs that spend a lot of time in soil tend to be at a larger risk of contracting blastomycosis. Though no scientific proof is available male dogs tend to contract this infection more often than females and more in adult dogs than puppies and old dogs.

The infection happens when the dog inhales spores of the mold. Infection for dogs always begins in the lungs and can spread to various parts of the body.

Signs and Symptoms of Blastomycosis In Dogs

Symptoms of blastomycosis in dogs include visible signs of infection on the skin. Acute infection is also indicated with skin lesions that are affected and even ooze blood or pus.

This infection can spread to the brain, other important organs depending on the severity and untreated time of the infection. Signs of blastomycosis in dogs include a reduced appetite, shortness of breath, inability to exercise, eye problems and a persistent fever. Weight loss, hair loss and even vomiting are symptoms of this infection.

There are no tests to diagnose blastomycosis but blood and serum counts with some other specific tests can identify if your dog has this fungal infection. If not diagnosed correctly this infection can be mistaken for any number of other conditions including cancer, Lyme disease or other viral or fungal infections. Commonly affected parts besides lungs include skin, bones, eyes and lymph nodes. There have also been cases where kidneys, testes, joints, nasal passage and even the central nervous system get affected.

Treatment For Blastomycosis In Dogs

Treatment in blastomycosis in dogs largely involves drugs or antibiotics which are prescribed by the vet. The treatment is often long and complicated and even expensive but the condition is completely curable. The drug is introduced through ivy if the infection is life-threatening and acute. There is not threat of contracting the infection from your dog though your dog has caught the infection because it inhaled spores of the mold. You could infect yourself if you are infected by a dog bite or a sharp stick from the same mud. Dogs usually survive the infection if the treatment is administered on time. If the brain of the dog is infected then the dog might not survive.

Submitted on February 14, 2012