In treated dogs, clinical cure can be expected in ~70% of the dogs, with ~20% suffering relapses
months to a year after treatment
. Prognosis is best for dogs with mild or no lung disease, but is poorest for those with CNS involvement.
Can a dog survive blastomycosis?
What is the prognosis for my dog? Prognosis is good for many cases of blastomycosis infection with
recovery rates between 50-75%
. “…a dog in poor condition or with advanced disease is less likely to survive.”
How long does it take to cure blastomycosis?
Depending on the severity of the infection and the person’s immune status, the course of treatment can range from
six months to one year
.
What do you feed a dog with blastomycosis?
Dogs may require several months (
at least four to six months in most cases
) of therapy to successfully treat this disease.
What is the incubation period for blastomycosis in dogs?
Infection with Blastomyces occurs when a cat or dog inhales the fungal spores into the lungs, usually by digging in the soil. The incubation period (time between exposure and development of signs) is from
5 to 12 weeks
.
What happens if blastomycosis goes untreated?
People can get blastomycosis after
breathing in the microscopic fungal spores from the air
. Although most people who breathe in the spores don’t get sick, some people will develop symptoms like fever and cough, and the infection can sometimes become serious if it is not treated.
Can you have blastomycosis for years?
The disease may resolve on its own or persist into the chronic form of the infection. Chronic Blastomycosis, which
lasts more than three weeks
, may affect the lungs, skin, bones, joints, genitourinary tract, and/or central nervous system. Involvement of the skin is very common in individuals with Blastomycosis.
Is blastomycosis in dogs painful?
Sandmeyer LS, Bauer BS, Grahn BH: Diagnostic Ophthalmology.
Ocular blastomycosis causing a cloudy, painful eye in a dog
.
How do I know if my dog has blastomycosis?
What are the signs of blastomycosis? The blastomycosis fungus seems
to target the respiratory tract
, although it may spread throughout the entire body. Pulmonary disease is the most common occurrence. Fever, depression, weight loss, and loss of appetite are also common clinical signs.
How common is blastomycosis in dogs?
Dermatologic manifestations of blastomycosis occur in
30% to 50% of infected dogs
. Granulomatous proliferative masslike lesions and ulcerated skin lesions draining serosanguineous or purulent fluid are most common.
How do you test for blastomycosis?
A doctor will likely test for blastomycosis by taking
a blood sample or a urine sample and sending it to a laboratory
. Healthcare providers may do imaging tests such as chest x-rays or CT scans of your lungs.
How do you get rid of blastomycosis in soil?
Treatment. Blastomycosis can be treated with
anti-fungal medications
, which are usually continued for at least 6 months. Antibiotics designed for bacteria do not work against blastomycosis.
How do dogs contract blastomycosis?
Blastomycosis typically occurs
when the dog inhales the airborne fungal spores of the genus Blastomyces dermatitidis after the contaminated soil has been disturbed
. This can be from an activity as benign as digging in the dirt or following a scent trail. The spores can also enter through the skin.
What does blastomycosis look like on xray?
Chest CT image reveals
patchy, dense lung opacification in the right middle and lower lobes
. This is the most common presentation of blastomycosis. Lung opacities may be patchy or confluent and subsegmental or nonsegmental. Chest radiograph demonstrates a spiculated mass overlying the left hilum.
Can you see blastomycosis?
Blastomyces lives in the environment as a mold that produces fungal spores. The spores are too small to see without a microscope.
Can blastomycosis be in your home?
The organism has been isolated from an inhabited yard and from a house being razed. Conclusions:
There appears to be growing evidence that blastomycosis may be acquired at home
, and that B. dermatitidis may be relatively persistent on certain properties.
