Fungal Infection in Dogs

Fungal infection is another set of dog illnesses. Due to controlled breeding, certain dog breeds are prone to some fungal diseases. Early detection of symptoms is of utmost importance. The sooner the treatment for the infection starts, the better. Below are some common fungal infections in dogs.

Blastomycosis
This is one of the fungal diseases in dogs which thrives either as a mold in soil or as yeast. It is mostly common in wet areas such as lakes and rivers. This disease develops from lesions on the skin to pus filled wounds. Early detection is a must for the chances of recovery to be high. The most prominent symptom of blastomycosis in dogs is the development of pus filled boils with yellow scabs. The dog's lymph nodes will enlarge and he will have fever, cough and difficulty in breathing. It also affects the urinary tract and leads to blood in urine and stool. If the infection spreads to eyes, it leads to growth over the eyes and eventually, leads to blindness.

Cryptococcosis
It is a systemic fungal disease in dogs caused due to inhaling fungal yeast spores. Yeast spores are also responsible for fungal ear infection. This yeast flourishes in area where the soil is enriched by bird droppings especially of pigeons and poultry birds. It first shows up as lesions on the chest, legs and face. It spreads through the central nervous system affecting the heart, kidneys, liver, pancreas etc. Once the infection reaches the brain, chances of recovery are limited. Fever, nasal discharge, cough are other symptoms of this infection. The lesions caused by this disease resemble cancer if seen in an X- ray.

Histoplasmosis
Histoplasmosis affects the respiratory system and the lymph. The fungal virus thrives on bat droppings. In most cases it is self-eliminating, but if the infection progresses, there is little that even an anti fungal medicine can do. It is non-contagious, though causes diarrhea in infected dogs. The symptoms include enlargement of liver and spleen, along with fever, cough and difficulty in breathing. It leads to lameness, changes in the skin, lethargy and yellow discoloration of the gum.

Coccidioidomycosis
It is better known as valley fever. This is highly dangerous, although humans can't catch this disease. This is caused due to inhaling of infected spores, and it spreads from the lungs to other parts such as bones and eye tissues. Most dogs are naturally immune to this fungal disease. The symptoms are extreme weight loss, fever and nasal discharge. It leads to lameness and extreme pain in the joints, along with swollen lymph nodes. These symptoms show after several months of catching the infection.

Treatment

The main treatment for dog fungi infection is antifungal drugs and antibiotics. The diet needs to be one that helps the dog to strengthen his immune system. Since the symptoms often show after the disease has progressed, it is best to take preventive action. Keep your dog away from areas which foster these fungal infections to ensure good dog health.

The best treatment for the pet is early detection of the symptoms. By nature, all animals are curious and dogs have the knack of being where they are not supposed to be, so take care if you know that your pet is at a high risk of catching these infections.