Pulmonary blastomycosis is a rare but dangerous illness. Though it is very simple for a dog to acquire the illness, diagnosis proves to be a challenge. Once diagnosed properly by a veterinarian, proper treatment can ensure a full recovery for the dog and a return to a healthy life.
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What Is Pulmonary Blastomycosis?
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Pulmonary blastomycosis is a rare illness that introduces a fungus into the lungs. As the fungal infection grows, it can affect breathing and other respiratory functions. Eventually the infection begins to impair other organs in the body due to the immune system being weakened.
What Breeds Are More Susceptible?
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All dog breeds can get pulmonary blastomycosis, however some breeds have more incidences of it due to their nature. According to a veterinary clinical study, large breeds such as Coonhounds (Bluetick and Treeing Walker), Pointers, Weimaraners, Golden Retrievers, Labrador Retrievers, Doberman Pinschers and Cocker Spaniels have more instances of acquiring the disease.
Studies also show that non-neutered males of these breeds are more susceptible to acquiring the fungal infection. Since they are more likely to be outdoors and wandering into areas that could contain the infections fungus, their risks are greater.
Geographic Incidence
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Cases of pulmonary blastomycosis have been reported in various locations throughout North America. The moist soil in the Ohio, Missouri and Mississippi river valleys breeds the fungus. Cases have also been reported in the mid-Atlantic states. Canada has also seen cases in the provinces of Manitoba, Quebec and Ontario. These locations all have soil that is highly acidic, rich in organic materials, sandy and close to waterways.
Complications From Pulmonary Blastomycosis
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Dogs suffering from pulmonary blastomycosis will exhibit symptoms that are similar to a variety of other illnesses. It is also important to note that the symptoms of pulmonary blastomycosis are not uniform for all dogs, but one symptom that shows up in most cases is a cough. The dog may also experience fever, weight loss, aching, chest pain and difficulty breathing (referred to as dyspnea). If not diagnosed after the dog has become infected with the fungal bacteria causing this condition, the illness can be fatal.
Treatment
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If a dog has pulmonary blastomycosis, the best means of diagnosis and treatment is from a veterinarian. Due to the complexity of the illness and its similarity to other illnesses, it is pertinent that proper testing be done--testing that cannot be conducted at home. The vet will need to take x-rays of the infected dog's lungs and do lab work first to properly diagnose the dog.
Once diagnosed, the vet will intravenously provide the dog with Amphotericin B (AMB). This medication is used to treat the fungal infection, however, the dog must be closely monitored throughout treatment. The medication has been found to be very toxic with a side effect of renal (kidney) failure. Over time, veterinary research may find alternative methods of treatment that are not as noxious to the dog.
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