Is Your Dog At Risk for Death by Fungus?

Lurking in your yard, in your mulch no less could be a naturally occurring fungus that readily infects dogs, cats and people and can be deadly if not caught early. Blastomycosis is a yeastlike fungal infection caused by Blastomyces dermatitidis.

This organism is commonly found in decaying wood and soil, usually near bodies of fresh water. The infection usually starts out in the lungs but can invade many tissues throughout the body even causing blindness via optic lesions.

Recently my neighbor’s dog sadly passed away from this very infection. My neighbor described the initial symptom her dog exhibited was difficulty breathing, which they thought was because she was hot due to her fur being long, as well as her age possibly being a factor. They took the animal to the vet who initially misdiagnosed her and gave her antibiotics which unfortunately accelerated the illness and by the time they figured out what was causing her illness it was to late. More common in male dogs but my neighbors was a female.

The symptoms which can be vague or misdiagnosed include:

Fever
Loss of appetite (anorexia)
Weight loss
Eye discharge
Eye inflammation, specifically the iris
Difficulty breathing (e.g., coughing, wheezing and other unusual breathing sounds)
Skin lesions, which are frequently filled with pus

This infection is quickly hitting epidemic proportions in many states. If your pet exhibits any of these symptoms ask your veterinarian to test for fungal infection as it may be mistaken for cancer and mistreated which can lead to permanent or fatal damage as in the case of my neighbor’s canine.

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Most cases are diagnosed in late summer to early fall. Don’t let your dog fall victim to this horrific infection. Pay attention and if your dog doesn’t seem like themselves, take action!

Terie Hansen Owner of Good Dog! Coaching & Pet Care