What are the symptoms of blastomycosis in dogs?
The clinical symptoms of blastomycosis may vary with organ involvement which can include coughing, skin lesions, anorexia, depression, fever, weight loss, shortness of breath, exercise intolerance, enlarged lymph nodes, eye disease, or lameness.
What animals does blastomycosis affect?
Infection is characterized by pyogranulomatous lesions in various tissues, frequently the lungs or skin. Blastomycosis affects some species but not others: Most commonly affected – people, dogs, cats. Less commonly diagnosed – horses, ferrets, deer, wolves, African lions, bottlenosed dolphins, sea lions.
What is the incubation period for blastomycosis in dogs?
Infection with Blastomyces occurs when a cat or dog inhales the fungal spores into the lungs, usually by digging in the soil. The incubation period (time between exposure and development of signs) is from 5 to 12 weeks.
Is Blasto contagious between dogs?
Can my pets get blastomycosis? Yes. Pets, particularly dogs, can get blastomycosis, but it is not contagious between animals and people. The symptoms of blastomycosis in animals are similar to the symptoms in humans.
How do you get rid of blastomycosis in dogs?
Treatment of blastomycosis requires long-term antifungal medications (i.e. average 2-6 months of therapy). Itraconazole or fluconazole are most commonly used. Some dogs may need to be hospitalized initially to help control some of their more severe symptoms.
Can dogs recover from blastomycosis?
If treated promptly after an infection occurs, about 70 to 75 percent of dogs recover. About 20 to 25 percent of dogs experience a relapse, typically within six months of the completion of antifungal therapy. Thus, periodic evaluations are recommended after an infection to be sure the condition has resolved.
How do you treat Blasto in dogs?
Is blastomycosis serious?
Blastomycosis is an uncommon, but potentially serious fungal infection. It primarily affects the lungs, and is caused by the fungus Blastomyces dermatitidis. The signs and symptoms of illness that can result from exposure to this soil organism are variable. Approximately 50% of people who are infected with B.
Is blastomycosis fatal in dogs?
Blastomycosis is usually fatal if not diagnosed and treated right away. Treatment is long, complicated, and expensive, and many dogs do not respond to it. If your dog’s brain or eye is affected, the prognosis is worse. Dogs with poor liver or kidney function may not be able to tolerate the medication.
Where does blastomycosis usually occur in a dog?
Infection most often occurs when the dog inhales the Blasto spores found in the soil. The spores travel down into the lungs and an infection develops. Once established in the lungs, it then spreads throughout the body. The most common secondary sites include the skin, eyes, bones, lymph nodes, brain, and testes.
What are the symptoms of Blasto in dogs?
Additionally, dogs can get a localized skin infection from Blasto. This type of infection usually occurs following a puncture wound. Symptoms include lack of appetite, fever, weight loss, coughing, eye problems, lameness and/or skin problems.
What kind of Medicine do you give a dog for blastomycosis?
Itraconazole is the preferred drug of treatment for most dogs. Dogs may require several months (at least four to six months in most cases) of therapy to successfully treat this disease. Amphotericin B (Abelcet®), ketoconazole, or a combination of medications may be used in certain cases.
What kind of test is used to diagnose blastomycosis?
Cytology and/or histopathology are required to diagnose blastomycosis conclusively. Cytology, the microscopic examination of cells, may be performed using fluid that is draining from an open wound or aspirated from a nodule or lymph node.