Blastomycosis

[BlueBell]

My daughter's purebred 8 year old Griffin has just been diagnosed with Blastomycosis. It is a rare systemic disease and I am concerned about where he got it since he has been at my house a couple of weeks ago and Bella stayed with them 5 days while I was away. Does anyone on this forum know much about it or their dog been diagnoses with it? We are not sure at this point what his survival chances are. The Vet gave the inmpression that they caught it early. She lives in Nashville and I in Jackson.

[nobarkus]

I just Goggled it and there's a lot of info. Try it.

[renaultf1]

For some reason I remember another member on here having a dog that contracted it. I think it was Wizard and her dog El D. Maybe do a search on here and see what you come up with and maybe send her a message.

[Rita Jean]

I just typed blastomycosis and kinds of web sites came up. I found one at
www.canismajor.com said was dog owners guide.
Good luck.

Rita Jean

[lvoss]

Here is a link to the thread about El D, http://www.basenjiforums.com/showthread.php?t=4855&highlight=blastomycosis

On the second page of posts it says how it is usually contracted.

[Rita Jean]

I was just reading on this it is some bad stuff. I never knew there was such a thing I do so hope you babies are all right. Way it sounds to me catching it early is the best. Take care will be thinking of you both.

Rita Jean

[BlueBell]

Thanks. I have been researching it. Just wondered if it was even rarer for a Basenji to contract it.

[wizard]

I'm the one who lost EL D to blastomycosis -- it's a nasty nasty disease and strikes quickly. It is caused by a fungus that sprouts in the soil by lakeshores in the fall; dogs (and people) inhale the spores but it can't be passed from animal to animal. I have friends who work in veterinary diagnostics and they tell me certain areas of the country are hotspots but it is cropping up in other areas too. If caught soon enough (though tough to diagnose early) it can be treated with medication and dogs may (or may not) recover but often become blind; if animal start limping then probably in mid-late stage; and if not caught soon enough (don't read further if you are a quesy type) the fungus spreads throughout the entire body. With my EL D, he began limping on a Friday (my first clue something was wrong) and by Tuesday morning he was already becoming blind and by the next Friday he was gone. It can happen that quick.

[Basenjimamma]

Oh my...I had no idea about this. Is it only prevelant around lake shores or does it exist in other humid areas as well, think Houston, TX, like a sauna..?? I am sorry to loose your El D like that, horrible, and meanwhile there was nothing you could do?

[wizard]

The vets (and my mycologist coworker) told me it is only reported in the soil of lakeshores and riverbanks - its' not like mold on the walls.

[Rita Jean]

I am very sorry you lost EL D. That was fast moving so I can see how easy to over look it. Thank you for information nice to know I had never heard of this.

Rita Jean

[BlueBell]

I am so sorry for your loss and was reticent to contact you because I was afraid of the outcome. Griffin doesn't fit the profile except being a hound. We don't live where there are woods, we don't live by bodies of water, he is isn't taken hunting. To answer one of the other posts yes, states that are humid like Tennessee and I am sure Texas have higher incidences of this rare illness. Skin lumps were what sent Griffin first to the Vet where he diagnosed an infection. When more lumps continued to appear and he was not tolerating the antibiotic so she took him back to the Vet yesterday and was diagnosed. I am going to call my Vet and have it noted on Bella's chart and to let them know. From what I have read we will never know where whether he got it here in Jackson or in Nashville.

[wizard]

Is Bella on the medication - if not be sure to get her on it. If she's still in the early stages, she's got a good chance from what I was told.

[BlueBell]

Christa's pharmacy couldn't get it done before today so her Vet called all around Nashville last night to find him just one dose so he could get started. She said he tolerated the med pretty well but did cough off and on through the night. This morning he seemed fine but she was going home over lunch to check on him. She assumes the first 72 hours is the time of the greatest concern. Also I assume the real compounded form may affect him somewhat differently. Did you have other B's at the time? How do you get over wanting to put them under house arrest? If it was my yard then even my little grandsons who I care for could be exposed. We are going to make sure that all our Drs. have this noted as a precaution.

[nobarkus]

I'm the one who lost EL D to blastomycosis -- it's a nasty nasty disease and strikes quickly. It is caused by a fungus that sprouts in the soil by lakeshores in the fall; dogs (and people) inhale the spores but it can't be passed from animal to animal. I have friends who work in veterinary diagnostics and they tell me certain areas of the country are hotspots but it is cropping up in other areas too. If caught soon enough (though tough to diagnose early) it can be treated with medication and dogs may (or may not) recover but often become blind; if animal start limping then probably in mid-late stage; and if not caught soon enough (don't read further if you are a quesy type) the fungus spreads throughout the entire body. With my EL D, he began limping on a Friday (my first clue something was wrong) and by Tuesday morning he was already becoming blind and by the next Friday he was gone. It can happen that quick.

My God what a terrible and traumatic loss! :( I very sorry. Mold and fungus are very dangerous!

[BlueBell]

For clarification. It is my Nashville daughter's 8 year old male Griffin who was diagnosed. She also has a 9 year old male Phoenix. Bella is my 1 year old Basenji Mix. They have all been in each others environment.

[wizard]

BlueBell, sorry for the mixup in names -- if the two griffins live in the same environment the male is potentially exposed as well; I would suggest asking the vet about a blood sample just to be sure. It would be helpful to find out where the female might have picked it up.

[BlueBell]

Christa's (my daughter) dogs are Griffin and Phoenix. They are both males and they are cousins. They live in Nashville but visit here at least once a month. I will ask her whether her Vet said anything about Phoenix and suggest what you have said. Griffin has had two doses of the med Itraconazole. So far so good. She said he wanted to go outside and walk with her and Phoenix but she thought best that he not do that. She is giving him his med with a canned puppy food as suggested by her Vet so that he eats. He loves it. He has the cough at night since starting the medication but I think that goes with it. Christa has been asked to post on the BRAT website but said she was not ready to do that but will.

[Basenjimamma]

Good to hear that he is taking his meds good, I am sending good vibes over to him and your daughter and Phoenix too, that he will make swift recovery, but please do keep us updated as this can happen to all of us, so long as we take our dog to lakes or rivers..and we do, since it is so much fun to watch them trying to avoid the water..

[wizard]

BlueBell - I'm really sorry about screwing up all the names :o
It sounds like things are under control and here's prayers that a full recovery occurs.

[BlueBell]

An update on Griffin. His second day on meds did not go as well as the first but after a trip back to the Vet, being put back on an antibiotic, and now two doses of his medication a day, by last night he was feeling better. He was running a high temp so we are praying that today it will be coming down. Her Vet said he is the first case they have seen in Nashville for several years. Before that they would see 3 ot 4 cases a year.

[Basenjimamma]

Poor Griffin, We are sending good vibes his way, hoping he is feeling better and that he kicks this darn thing out of the dust..

[Rita Jean]

Sorry to hear Griffin not so well. Hope things will get better my prayers go out to you. Hope to hear better news soon.

Rita Jean

[CrazyBasenjiMom]

Jeez, something else to worry about is the humid end of Texas. I clean my packs ears, I amy start squirting their nose's too. PREVENTION alwasy.

Has anyone heard about DOG FLU????????

[Basenjimamma]

I heard the FDA approved Flu vaccines for dogs, so I guess the flue is on the rise..

[Rita Jean]

Flu vac's for dogs. Does that mean we all need to get one for our dogs?

Rita Jean

[Basenjimamma]

Here is a link I got a few weeks ago from one of our Brat members..

http://www.ufsheltermedicine.com/CIV_for_Shelters.htm

[Rita Jean]

Thank you for the information very good material now do we do the shot or not? What do all of you that have had B's for a long time think about the shot. Do we get the shot or not?

Rita Jean

[tanza]

Thank you for the information very good material now do we do the shot or not? What do all of you that have had B's for a long time think about the shot. Do we get the shot or not?

Rita Jean

From the article, note that it says (by the way I do not give or intend to give, of course that said, I don't get a flu shot either)

Canine influenza outbreaks are most likely to occur in facilities where dogs are housed together and there is frequent introduction of new dogs into the resident population. Canine influenza outbreaks have impacted many sheltering facilities and organizations around the country since 2004, including open admission shelters, limited admission shelters, and foster homes or rescue/adoption groups in California, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Utah, Virginia, and Wyoming. Many of these outbreaks have resulted in increased euthanasia due to the overwhelming number of sick dogs or the severity of illness.

[Rita Jean]

Thank you Pat I just wondered what others thoughts were. I do not get the flu shot either. Hate shots and seems to me you always get what the shots don't cover anyway. Thanks again.

Rita Jean

[BlueBell]

Update on Griffin's (my granddog) battle against Blastomycosis: He is no longer getting any outward lumps and only a few have not drained yet. He has overcome not being able to walk due to an enlarged hardened lymph node in his back leg. Tonight Christa was able to take him on a short walk with socks on his feet to keep his sores from breaking open and to keep him from licking them. He is on an anti-inflammatory and his fungus med two times a day. His appetite is getting better. He sleeps most of the time but when awake seems to feel a lot better. Christa checks in with the Vet tomorrow. Thanks for your continued prayers and concern.

[Basenjimamma]

Bless Griffin's little heart. I am so glad yo hear taht things are looking better then they have for a few dasy now, that is a good sign, I hope. Please let Christa know that we are thinking of her and Griffin. I actually just read about them the other day on the Brat site..

[wizard]

Here's hope and prayers that he comes through this.

[BlueBell]

Do you have the BRAT link? I am not on that particular email list probably because I and not part of the people who are actually rescuing,fostering and transporting.

[tanza]

You can find most all the contact/links you need from www.basenjirescue.org for BRAT

[Rita Jean]

So happy to hear Griffin's is getting better. I hope each day get's better for all of now. Good luck and tell your daughter we are thinking of them ever day.

Rita Jean

[BlueBell]

Griffin continues to be a fighter. He still battles the sores on his feet that aren't healing very quickly and the other lumps on his body. The Vet now feels that he contracted the fungus through a cut which according to my research is as rare a way to get Blastomycosis as it is to even contract the fungus. He will be on the meds for several months even after the symptoms disappear.

[Basenjimamma]

Poor Griffin..I ma glad that he is giving t his a fight and not giving in..send your daughter and Griffin hugs from us ..

[BlueBell]

It has been a little over a month since Griffin was diagnosed with Blastomycosis. All his sores are now healing and the coughing has stopped. He continues on his meds as well as an anti-inflammatory. My daughter was concerned over the long term use of Remadyl but the Vet assured her it was safe and that in a couple of weeks he will wean him off. If Christa does not give it to him he feels rough and will not eat. In two weeks he will have a complete checkup and hopefully the signs of the infection will be gone. If he gets a good report he and Phoenix will have both survived a near death experience.

[Basenjimamma]

I am so very happy to hear about Griffin doing so much better, yippea , there is light at the end of the tunnel..

They are strong and have a strong will to live and play...good news. I am happy for both of them.

[rickierock3]

There is a great book out there: Dog Owner's Home Veterinary Handbook, 4th edition. Here is what it states on Blastomycosis:
This systemic fungal disease occurs along the eastern seaboard, in the Great Lakes region and the Mississippi, Ohio, and Missouri River valleys. The fungus is associated with moist, rotting organic debris protected from sunlight and enriched with bird droppings, particularly those of pigeons. The disease is acquired by inhaling infected spores. Dogs are considerably more susceptible than are humans. Most cases of acute canine blastomycosis involve the respiratory system and cause bronchopneumonia. About 40% of cases involve the eyes and skin, producing signs similar to those of cryptococcosis. Weight loss and lamenuess may also be noted. Microscopic identification of organisms in transtracheal washings or in fluid aspirated from infected tissues is the most efficient way to make the diagnosis. In difficult cases, biopsy and culture may be needed. Serologic tests also are available. Treatment: A combination of amphotericin B and one of the imidazoles appears to offer the best chance of successful treatment. Months of treatment are required and some dogs may relapse months to years later. Hope this is helpful!

[BlueBell]

As I type this I was reminded that Griffin was suppose to go back to the Vet to have his lungs x-rayed this week and I have not heard from my daughter how that went or if it happened. He visited for Thanksgiving and except for some places on his skin that haven't totally healed he looked like a picture of health. Strange how a Nashville subburb just doesn't seem to fit where blastomycosis would reside and even the Vet thinking he got it through a cut which is more rare than the infection itself. We will pray that the relapse doesn't ever occur.

[nkjvcjs]

Strange how a Nashville subburb just doesn't seem to fit where blastomycosis would reside and even the Vet thinking he got it through a cut which is more rare than the infection itself. We will pray that the relapse doesn't ever occur.

Is there a lot of construction in the area? Blasto is often associated with areas of high construction activity or areas of excavation.

-Nicole

[BlueBell]

Wow maybe Christa's Vet really was on the ball. You have validated his theory on how Griffin got it. Christa lives in a condo and they had half of their driveways torn out and replaced. So whether it was from a cut in Griffin's paw or inhalation that really must have been how. Recently the other half of the driveways were replaced so Christa sent both Griffin and Phoenix over to stay at her boyfriends house. Thanks for your post.:)

[Rita Jean]

Sounds like Griffin is better so happy for all of you.

Rita Jean