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What
is Blastomycosis?
How
does a dog get Blastomycosis?
What
are the symptoms of Blastomycosis?
How
is Blastomycosis diagnosed?
How
is Blastomycosis treated?
How
can Blastomycosis be prevented?
Can
a relapse of Blastomycosis occur?
What
is the future of Blastomycosis?
What
is Blastomycosis?
Blastomycosis
is a fungal disease caused by inhaling the spores produced by the
fungus Blastomyces
dermatitidis. B.
dermatitidis grows as a mold in soils, near waterways such as lakes,
streams, creeks, beaver homes, and high-risk areas endemic areas.
One of those areas is Eagle
River, WI in Vilas County following a 15-year study.
Blastomycosis can
also affect humans
as well. The
State of Wisconsin Department of Health Services released a statement
on Blastomycosis on September 12, 2008 to be on the watch for Blastomycosis.
(back to top)
How
does a dog get Blastomycosis?
When
the ground (soil) where the organism lives is disturbed the
infectious spores are released into the air.
The dog breathes it in where it then travels to the lungs
and the infection begins.
Remember that after the organism multiplies, it begins its
journey away from the lungs or wound to the vascular system or lymph
nodes. To learn more
about it read this article, and from the CDC
(Center for Disease Control).
One
factor that greatly increases the chances of getting Blastomycosis
is where you live, the activities you do with your dog(s), and if your pet vacationed near a lake or visited an area that is
considered high-risk.
Northern
Wisconsin
is one of the areas where the soil has the right conditions and
the right moisture for the organism to grow and produce spores.
It has also been reported that the lower water levels in
the previous years may also be a factor. That is why it is so hard to isolate
the disease. (back
to top)
What
are the symptoms of Blastomycosis?
Blastomycosis is
a chronic infection, and dogs are usually sick for several weeks
before the diagnosis is made.
Sometimes it can be mistaken for another illness like pneumonia.
Be
persistent in seeking a definitive cause.
This can be your best defense for revealing this disease.
That
is why it’s SO IMPORTANT to learn and recognize the warning
signs of Blasto. If
you are unsure, ask your vet because it’s not something you want
to ‘wait’ and see if it gets better.
Waiting can greatly decrease your dog’s chances of
survival. Click here
to see the images
of Blasto. A high percentage
of dogs get Blasto in the lungs
where it can show up first. The
symptoms are almost identical as in humans as well. Just like any human disease too, early detection is crucial.
-
Symptoms of
lung infection
-
lung lesions
along with a dry, harsh lung sound (chest x-rays)
-
Persistent
cough (may be bloody or yellow)
-
Shortness
of breath-difficulty breathing
-
Decreased
stamina
-
General
symptoms
-
Fever,
flu-like symptoms (pneumonia)
-
Pain
-
Loss
of appetite
-
Weight
loss
-
Vomiting
-
Depression
-
Decreased
activity
-
Reluctant
to walk
-
Skin-sores
or abscess (not healing)
-
Bones-limping
or drainage (on paw, between digits, underneath)
-
Lymph
glands-swelling
-
Respiratory
symptoms, fungal pneumonia
-
Eye
infection, sudden blindness
-
CNS
(Central Nervous System) symptoms: twitches, stumbled walk,
Loss of coordination – balance (back
to top)
How
is Blastomycosis diagnosed?
Blasto
is usually diagnosed by testing specimens taken from the lungs,
trach wash, chest x-ray, doing a biopsy of the skin, lymph nodes,
or bone. The chest
x-ray will show a “snowstorm” pattern when means that the
fungus is growing as a budding yeast.
Blood and urine tests also assist in diagnosis of Blasto by
detecting breakdown products of the fungus, called “Antigens.”
Ask your vet about he MiraVista
Diagnostics Antigen test. A
simple blood test will check for antibodies to Blasto as well. (back
to top)
How
is Blastomycosis treated?
It is treated as long as a diagnosis is made before the dog
becomes severely ill. In
reality, treating Blastomycosis is difficult, and that’s why
early detection is so crucial!
The choice of treatment is with antifungal
medication. Below
are the most commonly drugs used:
In
the past, Amphotericin-B was the only known medication useful
against Blastomycosis and the other systemic fungal organisms. It
was given intravenously and with care to keep the dose from
harming the kidneys. For
life-threatening Blastomycosis, Amphotericin B (Amp B) is the
treatment of choice. (back
to top)
How
can Blasto be prevented?
Currently,
there is no “vaccine” in guarding against getting Blastomycosis.
Because it’s hard to isolate, it’s often very difficult
to figure out where the source of the infection came from.
Since the disease can’t be spread from animal to animal,
it can only come from inhaling the spores.
You
know the areas where your dog plays just be aware of them.
In
endemic regions, it may not be possible to completely avoid
exposure to the fungus. Limiting
the amount of time a dog spends in the woods especially near water
may reduce the incidences.
Giving the vet a
thorough history of your dog’s daily surroundings, vacations,
traveling within the past 6 months, swimming an hunting locations,
if you did any remodeling, new construction, landscaping, hiking
will help give the vet get a clear picture of the events that led
up to the illness.
Knowing if
Blastomycosis had occurred in your area, recognizing the symptoms,
and seeking prompt veterinary services are some of the best
defenses attacking the disease.
(back to top)
Can
a relapse of Blastomycosis occur?
Yes, relapse can
occur. As in
Brando’s case it came back one year later.
Remember that every case of Blastomycosis is different.
Factors that
relapse may occur may be if medication is not taken properly,
stopped, if the dosage amount is not accurate or even if the dog
is not absorbing it from the stomach.
Follow-up check-ups with the veterinarian during and after
treatment has ended are needed to check for treatment failure or
relapse. Keeping the
lines of communication open is very important and working together
as a team can build the bridge and bring the disease to a close.
(back to top)
What
is the future for Blastomycosis treatment?
There
is no vaccine for Blastomycosis at the present time. With new medications, tests, and education there is a ray of
light that gives hope that together we can conquer this disease.
I
encourage all family members to be involved with your pet’s
health. What one
family may not see the other one may.
Ask your vet questions if you notice any of the symptoms.
Remember, there’s no such thing bad question, just a
question we forgot to ask.
I don’t want anybody to ever say to themselves, “should
of, could of, or would of."
I’m
hoping that the young adults growing up will enter college with
all tools necessary to become competent and dedicated to their
field of study. Among
us could be the next vet, scientist, doctor to find and develop a
vaccine for Blastomycosis. (back
to top)
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