Blastomycosis is a fungal yeast-like infection caused by the organism Blastomyces dermatitidis, most commonly found in rotting wood and soil. Learn more about blastomycosis symptoms, cause, and treatment here. 1995;16(2):1–5. Dogs that spend time running around in blasto-endemic areas are most at risk, especially the breeds used for hunting. Once in the body, the fungus affects the lungs, resulting in fungal pneumonia. Signs are usually present for a few days to a few weeks. Blastomycosis is an infection found in dogs, people, and occasionally cats. Blastomycosis has a well-defined endemic area where it is found. It is believed that the range of blastomycosis continues to grow. Dogs are 10 times more likely to be infected than humans. Blastomycosis is most commonly seen in large dogs, where the cost of treatment can exceed $1,000. Blastomycosis in dogs is a fungal disease that begins its infection in the lungs and then spreads to other bodily tissues. The most common treatment to cure blastomycosis in dogs will be an anti-fungal called Itraconazole. It infects the lungs, nervous system, brain, skin, and eyes with varying devastating effects. This infection is caused by the Blastomyces dermatitidis, which is commonly found in moist soil and within decomposing wood and leaves. Blastomycosis infections are most common in dogs between 1 and 5 years; sporting dogs are at greater risk, according to Dr. Ian Sprandel at Illinois. Symptoms are dog coughing, breathing problems, fever, draining skin lesions, and fever. Considered a fungal disease in mammals, humans, horses, cats, ferrets, and dogs, it has been misdiagnosed in dogs as cancer, Lyme Disease, viral infections, and Dogs that are the most susceptible to developing blastomycosis are those that live within 400 yards of a body of water or spend a lot of time near water, such as hunting and sporting dogs. Blastomycosis in dogs is a potentially deadly canine disease caused by a fungus found in damp soil where mold is present. Symptoms include lack of appetite, fever, weight loss, coughing, eye problems, lameness and/or skin problems. Signs of ocular blastomycosis are seen in 30-50% of affected dogs and can … Most affected dogs live near water, because that’s where the spores are likely to be found. Blastomycosis is a relatively common fungal disease of dogs, especially in the Southeastern United States. Lymph node and skin involvement are reported in about 50% of affected dogs. Introduction. The cause of blastomycosis infection is inhaling the infective fungal spores, which are common in wet areas like swamps, riverbanks, and lake areas. The classic presentation of Blastomycosis is a large breed dog with outdoor access, however the disease can be found in strictly indoor dogs as well as in cats. Blastomycosis is a disease caused by the fungus, Blastomyces dermatitidis, which grows in moist soils and in wooded areas along waterways and swamps.The Blastomyces fungus is found in Northern Minnesota and along the St. Croix River in … If not treated in time, they can die. 4 Severe blastomycosis In some people, particularly those who have weakened immune systems, blastomycosis can spread from the lungs to other parts of the body, such as the skin, bones and joints, and the central nervous system (the brain and spinal cord). However, people do not get this disease from their dogs except only very rarely through dog bites. Blastomycosis in Dogs. Potentially, it can attack any part of the body including bone, skin, nerves, lymph nodes, mammary glands, the prostate, … It can affect not only dogs but people as well. After spores are inhaled, the fungus Blastomyces dermatitidis infects the lungs and then migrates to other organs. Fungus and our Pets: Blastomycosis. In cats, respiratory tract involvement is seen most frequently, followed by involvement of the CNS, regional lymph nodes, skin, eyes, and GI and urinary tracts. Blastomycosis is primarily a disease that infects people and dogs. Blastomycosis lives primarily in wet or damp areas, such as near swamps or lakes. Revised July 2015. Blastomycosis is an infection found in dogs, people, and occasionally cats. Blastomycosis is a significant health issue in humans and other mammals. Blastomycosis is a disease caused by the fungus organism Blastomyces dermatitidis, and can result in death if not treated promptly.. How Blastomycosis Is Contracted. Blastomycosis is a rare disease infecting only about 4 in every 100,000 people. Canine blastomycosis is a fungal disease that can affect a dog's respiratory system, causing problems such as pneumonia. Blastomycosis in dogs is the parasite fungal organism “Blastomyces dermatitidis” that many times can be misdiagnosed in dogs, with approximately 65% of diagnosed dogs surviving. CDC. Blastomycosis is a systemic fungal infection caused by the dimorphic fungus Blastomyces dermatitidis. A dog generally contracts canine blastomycosis by breathing in the airborne fungal spores after soil contaminated with the fungus has been disturbed. Treatment includes aggressive medications. The area includes the Mississippi, Missouri, and Ohio River valleys, the Mid-Atlantic States, and parts of Quebec, Manitoba, and Ontario. Normally, blastomycosis infection will begin in the lungs after spores are inhaled and transform into large thick-walled budding yeast, which can multiply and disseminate to other areas of the body. Although bacterial infections are common in dogs and cats, other bugs pose a major risk to our pet population including fungus. Introduction. It is also possible for the spore to enter the dog’s body through the skin. During the course of the disease the symptoms may improve slightly only to worsen again. 2011;239 (3):335–43. When I discuss infections with people and their pets, the majority of us think of bacteria. Blastomycosis in dogs is fungal infection that tends to cause health issues in different areas of a dog's body depending on infection site. One hundred twelve client-owned dogs with blastomycosis were treated with itraconazole, 5 or 10 mg/kg/d. Canine blastomycosis, a common dog disease, is caused by the same fungus that infects humans. The dogs (and humans) most at risk for contracting blastomycosis are those who live or spend time in damp areas where mold is prevalent. Blastomycosis is an infection caused by various related genotypes of the fungus Blastomyces dermatitidis.Blastomycosis is also termed North American blastomycosis, Gilchrist's disease, and blastomycetic dermatitis.Blastomycosis is found predominately in the central and southeast U.S., although it does occur in Canada, Africa, and sporadically in a few other countries. Recently a valued customer reached out to us with an unusual story. Blastomycosis Fact Sheet. It is caused by the fungal organism Blastomyces dermatitidis, which is found as a mold in the soil or at room temperatures and as a yeast in tissues or at body temperatures. 2 , 5 Blastomycosis is a fungal disease caused by the organism Blastomyces dermatitidis, which enters the dog's body through inhalation as a spore, then converts into a deadly systemic yeast. Even with proper treatment, the infection can be extremely difficult to clear, according to veterinarian Alicia Griffin. This infection is caused due to inhalation of infected spores present in the environment by the dog. Every year more people and their dogs visit cabins and cottages in areas where blastomycosis is present. Vaccine prevention would offer a cost-effective alternative for those dogs at risk in areas of high endemicity, but no commercial vaccine is available. I used the treatment for Dr.Hulda Clarke's pet parasite cleanse. Cause of Blastomycosis in Dogs. In case of Blastomycosis dogs are seen to suffer from severe skin sores. Blastomycosis should be considered in dogs with draining cutaneous nodules and signs of respiratory disease. Animals with close proximity to water or overturned soil (i.e., construction sites) seem to be predisposed to disease. Sometimes, dogs will have a gradual loss of appetite followed by weight loss, depression, and fevers. Temporal and spatial distribution of blastomycosis cases among humans and dogs in Illinois (2001–2007) external icon.J Am Vet Med Assoc. Other dogs highly at risk of developing this disease are intact male large breed dogs living in or near wet areas. It is caused by the fungal organism Blastomyces dermatitidis, which is found as a mold in the soil or at room temperatures and as a yeast in tissues or at body temperatures. Symptoms of blastomycosis usually appear between 3 weeks and 3 months after a person breathes in the fungal spores. Blastomycosis is a fungal infection caused by Blastomyces dermatitidis. Young dogs that have access to the outdoors are prime candidates for blastomycosis infection, but infection has been documented in all canine breeds, cats, horses and ferrets. According to Merck Veterinary Manual signs of pulmonary involvement are seen in up to 85% of affected dogs. Download a print version of this document: Blastomycosis Fact Sheet (PDF) What is blastomycosis? Blastomycosis in Wisconsin, 1985–1994.Wis Epidemiol Bull. Symptoms of Blastomycosis in Dogs. It walks weakly, has poor appetite and suffers from drowsiness. Blastomycosis in dogs is fairly rare, but it can be potentially fatal.. Your dog may also start to cough, develop eye problems usually accompanied by eye lesions, as well as a gradual lameness as the fungus spreads. Where is blastomycosis endemic? BLASTOMYCOSIS SYMPTOMS AND TREATMENT for DOGS. By: archangel_raphael Blastomycosis is a fungal infection that can cause severe illness in dogs. Young, male dogs of the sporting breeds are most commonly infected. We have hundreds of pet owners who give their dogs ABSC Pure Organic CBD Oil™ to help with osteoarthritis, seizures, and anxiety.We know our CBD oil routinely helps canine patients deal with cancer and the ravages of chemotherapy. The first group of 70 dogs treated in 1987 and 1988 received 10 mg/kg/d (group 1), and the second group of 42 dogs treated after October 1988 received 5 … Herrmann JA, Kostiuk SL, Dworkin MS, Johnson YJ. Blastomycosis is most commonly diagnosed in dogs and people. Blastomycosis is a fungal infection that occurs commonly in dogs and, is caused by the organism Blastomyces dermatitidis. The fungus grows in moist and decaying soil and vegetation, where it releases spores into the air. Blastomycosis, a fungal infection that primarily afflicts dogs in certain regions of the U.S., can kill a dog due to a severe lung infection. thought her breathing issues were due to parasites, when in actuality she had systemic blastomycosis as I later found out through a lab test at the vet. This can happen when the dog is digging in contaminated soil or simply by running through it. With passing days, a suffering dog gets weaker. Yes, on my dog unknowingly. ANSWER: Identifying it quickly and implementing antifungal therapy can result in a good prognosis. Blastomycosis is more common in dogs than in humans, and it's rare in cats. These have a round crust and ooze pus from time to time. The disease tends to affect young dogs, hunting dogs or outdoor working dogs, most likely from increased exposure to B. dermatitidis spores rather than from any genetic tendencies.