Symptoms of Blastomycosis in Dogs

Blastomycosis is a disease caused by the fungus Blastomyces dermatitidis. This fungus lives in the soil of certain locations, including the Mississippi, Missouri and Ohio River valleys and the mid-Atlantic part of the United States and areas of Quebec, Manitoba and Ontario in Canada. Because dogs get blastomycosis from inhaling fungus spores from soil, dogs that spend a lot of time outside, particularly hunting dogs, are most susceptible.


The symptoms of blastomycosis in dogs can come and go, and some dogs may have the infection for a long time before noticeable signs appear. However, dogs who do not receive treatment for blastomycosis can become seriously ill, including developing kidney, eye, brain or bone infection, or even die.

  1. General Symptoms

    • The general symptoms of blastomycosis in dogs include lack of appetite, fever, depression and weight loss.

    Skin Problems

    • According to Pet Education, 20 to 40 percent of dogs with blastomycosis have skin lesions, which are often open and draining.

    Lung Problems

    • Pet Education also reports that as many as 85 percent of dogs with blastomycosis have lung lesions and dry, harsh lung sounds or coughing.

    Eye Problems

    • Also, according to Pet Education, 40 percent of dogs with blastomycosis have eye problems, including uveitis (inflammation of a part of the eye called the uvea), detached retina or bleeding into the eye.

    Lameness

    • Bone problems can also develop, causing lameness in about 30 percent of infected dogs, according to Pet Education.