Tagged: “Blastomycosis”

Spring is here and things to look out for!!!

Spring is a beautiful time of the year with the sunshine invigorating our souls. The birds are a flutter with movement and song. The fresh, warm air gives us all a jump start with this new season. Our animals are only to ready to hit the door running as soon as it is opened but with the warm weather and new explorations come the hidden dangers of spring into summer.
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Peanut, available for adoption with Wagging Hearts.

What to be prepared for as the temperatures rise and the days turn longer:

Prepare for more outdoor exposure to the elements. Dogs are just like people and the sun can be a deadly force in terms of temperature AND exposure. Dogs can receive sunburn damage especially the lighter the coat, the thinner the coat and the more time spent outdoors without cover. Paws will be softened from spending so much time indoors over the colder months so help your pet build up the padding with walks and runs that build. To avoid injury and issues please start slow and build up your outdoor workouts if they are more than moderate-level. Watch for hotter temperatures on the pavements as the digits rise and always provide water when spending more than a half hour outdoors.

Parasites. Be prepared for the influx of mosquitoes and fleas before the temperatures turn warm. Your preventative medicines will need 30 days to kick in and a secondary dosage to build the proper cover to avoid heartworm contagions. Mosquitoes are carriers for the potentially fatal HEARTWORM disease that they inject into untreated, unsuspecting animals just laying around in the grass of their own backyard. Preventative medicines like HeartGuard, Ivermectin and others are a necessity not a personal choice if you don’t’ want to play Russian roulette with their lives. Heartworm treatment is very hard on an animal especially the older they are and can be very expensive. Then your loyal pet has the ability to also pick up flea and ticks in your own backyard. A flea and tick preventative is also in order to help support a healthy, parasite free interior zone for your animal. Avoid these nasty buggers as they have the ability to spread more contagions inside your loved one that can lead to additional problems and medications. Heartworm as well as flea/tick preventative are monthly treatments to be discussed with a vet partner. A fecal test will be needed for animals that are just beginning this preventative treatment to insure no issues already exist.

BLASTOMYCOSIS: Please to become more familiar with these two deadly diseases becoming more prevalent in the mid-west area. Blastomycosis is a systematic fungal infection commonly found in decaying wood and soil. Blastomycosis occurs most frequently in male dogs, but female dogs are also susceptible. Dog breeds that are scent-oriented or low to the ground are also most susceptible. The fungus thrives in wet environments, such as riverbanks, lakes and swamps, where damp soil lacking direct sunlight fosters growth of the fungus. It is also present in areas that are rich in decaying matter, such as wooded areas, forests, and farms. Their is NO VACCINATION but knowledge is power. Look for the signs and involve your vet as soon as you see the symptoms arise. SYMPTOMS: fever, loss of appetite, weight loss, eye discharge, eye inflammation specifically the iris, respiratory issues (coughing, wheezing, unusual breathing sounds), skin lesions which are usually filled with pus and neurological issues such as seizures or mobility issues. It may be mistaken for cancer and mistreated, or it may be mistaken for a lung infection of bacterial origin and treated with antibiotics, which puts your pet at greater risk. If your pet has been in an environment where the Blastomyces fungus may have been present, at any time in the six weeks previous to the onset of symptoms, you will want to ask your veterinarian to test for fungal infection. (SOURCE: http://www.petmd.com/dog/conditions/respiratory/c_multi_blastomycosis#)

 

Leptospirosis: Caused by spiral shaped bacteria mostly found during the summer and fall. It is rare in cats but cases have been found. It is spread through the urine of infected animals, which gets into water or soil and can survive there for weeks to months. Infection occurs when animals become in contact with the contaminated water source through cuts in the skin, eyes, nose or mouth. Drinking water or inhaling bacteria can also cause the disease to manifest in your pets. Signs of disease in dogs may include fever, vomiting, abdominal, pain, diarrhea, weakness, refusal to, eat, depression, stiffness and severe, muscle pain. Some infected animals may show no signs of illness. Kidney damage can also occur. Young animals are usually more severely affected than older animals. Be prevalent and ask your vet partner about the vaccination that will protect your animal!! (SOURCE: http://www.cfsph.iastate.edu/FastFacts/pdfs/leptospirosis_F.pdf)

Sniffing Out a Deadly Disease: A personal and tragic case study on Blastomycosis which cost the life of one of Wagging Hearts own rescues Goofy.

Leptospirosis: The fast facts, check them out for yourself and be prepared!!

Microchipping: Your pets will be outdoors with more opportunities for adventure and fun!! Help keep them safe with a secondary loop of safety for them by chipping them with your information. Stay close to the ones you love the most. Ask your vet partner about microchipping today and register that chip to close the loop. A microchip will help reunite your pet with you as it will be scanable by animal control offices, police, vet partners, rescue organizations, etc. which all feed into a national database that you register to be a part of. Ask now, not later.

One in 3 pets will become lost at one point in their lives. Close the loop, protect your pets.

Our pets rely on us to insure their safety within and without. We hope that we have provided some help in watching for areas of potential concern for you and your pet. Stay diligent and loving. Please email contactus@wagginghearts.org today should you have any additional questions or concerns.

 

Spring Hidden Dangers

Spring Hidden Dangers

Are YOU aware of the hidden dangers spring can bring?

 

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BLASTOMYCOSIS: A systematic fungal infection

Diligence is key and knowledge is power. Please take a minute to visit our Blastomycosis post to become familiar with this hidden danger. We have personally felt the impact of losing one to this deadly fungal infection. This is an alert to become aware of the hazardous environments that can have life-altering consequences for your pet if you are not careful to watch for the signs and symptoms.

 

LEPTOSPORISIS: It’s not just a brochure at your vets office. It’s real and deadly.

Or perhaps you might visit a NBC news article on Leptosporisis and become aware of the signs and symptoms of this deadly infection. Are your animals vaccinated from its potentially life-threatening effects? Ask your veterinarian today and inquire on the assistance this vaccination provides for the protection of your pet.

 

Let’s keep our family members safe through sharing and updating each other on the ever evolving ways to protect our loved ones.

Sniffing Out A Deadly Disease

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20130713_130445Wagging Hearts is sending out a HIGH ALERT to all DOG OWNERS to be on the look out for a disease called BLASTOMYCOSIS. It is ugly and impacts your dogs entire system. It is dangerous and could be fatal if left untreated. Do you know the signs? Do you know Chicago has been sending out alerts for sightings of infected dogs at lakefront beaches? Did you know Libertyville, IL has also seen an increase with the recent loss of 2 dogs. We have personally felt the impact at Wagging Hearts with the tragic loss of one of our rescue’s Goofy to Blastomycosis and we want to help prevent you from suffering the same horrible outcome. Watch Goofy’s seizure video taken by his diligent and loving foster who witnessed this serious symptom of the degenerative disease which subsequently ended up taking his life too early. He was a beautiful and loving spirit ready to find forever love in the arms of his potential adoptive family upon their return from vacation. Unfortunately the ‘Blasto’ answer came too late for Goofy as the disease ravaged his weakened immune system. Goofy slipped away in the middle of the night during his treatment leaving us to actively spread the alert for the dangers lurking in the natural environments around us. Knowledge, awareness of your pet’s health and prompt response will help arm yourself with the tools necessary to save the life of your pet. Don’t let them become a statistic. Do you know what Blastomycosis is? Do you know what the symptoms are and where this disease exists? Read on to find out:

Blastomycosis

WHAT IS IT?  A serious fungal infection that spreads throughout the body caused by an organism called Blastomyces Dermatitidis which releases airborne spores into the environment that can be inhaled. It can be rapidly fatal if not diagnosed and treated promptly. Unfortunately, many do not recover from the wide-spread infection and relapses can occur. Treatment can be aggressive but the disease will more than likely kill without.

Inhalation is the most frequent method of transmission and occurs simply by digging in the soil which releases the spores. The spores travel through the lungs and become large, thick-walled, yeast-like organisms that multiply within the lungs and other tissues of the body. This disease then spreads via the bloodstream or lymphatic system from the lungs to involve the eyes, brain, bone, lymph nodes, urogenital system, skin and subcutaneous tissues. Direct contact with spores through a puncture wound is another method of transmission which may cause localized infections.

WHERE IS IT FOUND? Thrives in rotting wood, wet soil, wet environments like swamps, lakes, riverbanks – where lack of direct sunlight encourage its growth. Also found in areas with decaying organic matter like wooded areas, forests and farms. Most competing soil organisms will kill off the blastomycosis spores unless the conditions are nearly perfect for the fungus to survive. This explains why blastomycosis is often found in small pockets instead of being widespread.

GEOGRAPHIC LOCATION:  Blastomycosis has a well-defined endemic area where it is found. The area includes the Mississippi, Missouri and Ohio River valleys. The Mid-Atlantic States and parts of Quebec, Manitoba and Ontario. The range appears to be growing.

WHO IS AT RISK?  Occurs primarily in dogs and humans. But on rare instances it has been diagnosed in horses, cats, ferrets and even sea lions. Hounds, Retrievers, Pointers, Coonhounds, Shepherds, Beagles and other sporting dogs are particularly susceptible because of their outdoor activities. Also dogs that live within a quarter mile of a body of water. One study in Wisconsin showed that 95% of the dogs diagnosed with Blastomycosis lived within 400 yards of a body of water.

SYMPTOMS: Loss of appetite, fever, weight loss, eye problems (such as redness, pain, swelling, excessive tearing, clouding of the corneas), chronic cough, shortness of breathe/wheezing and skin problems such as pus-filled skin lesions. More serious symptoms can include sudden blindness, lameness, inflammation of the testicles, enlarged lymph nodes and seizures. Signs are usually present for a few days to a few weeks. The disease can wax and wane with the severity of the symptoms improving slightly and then worsening again.

DIAGNOSIS: Unfortunately, Blastomycosis is often misdiagnosed as cancer OR pneumonia. Watch your dog for symptoms that last six weeks or more with no noticeable improvement and especially if they have been in an environment that could have the fungus, ask your veterinarian to test for a fungal infection. Blastomycosis is best diagnosed through examination of a lymph node, skin lesions or by lung tissue. There’s also a blood test called an AGID test or antigen ID test for exposure to Blastomycosis. But a positive result doesn’t mean your dog necessarily has the infection, only that he’s been exposed. Chest X-rays of a dog with Blastomycosis often reveal a sort of snowstorm-type pattern. Urine screening tests can also be very beneficial for diagnosis.

TREATMENT: Oral administration of an antifungal drug. These medications all require long-term treatment, sometimes for many months. Some professionals recommend a ‘nutraceutical called quantum nucleotide’, which helps to stimulate an immediate immune system reaction, as well as oil of oregano in capsule form, which is excellent support for a body fighting a fungal infection. The antifungal drugs are very expensive and often have serious side effects. For many dogs, the critical period during treatment is the first 24 to 72 hours, as the antifungal drug begins to kick in and kill off the fungi. Since there are typically a large number of organisms in the lungs, there can be an overwhelming inflammatory response that can result as the fungi die off. Respiratory distress can be a big problem during the first few days of treatment. The sooner you seek treatment, the better chance your dog has to fully recover.

PREVENTATIVE SUGGESTIONS: There is no vaccine available to protect you or your pet. It is next to impossible to avoid as it is difficult to determine where the fungal spores can be found. Limiting your time in the environments Blastomycosis can be found in may help prevent exposure to the spores. Recognize if the disease exists in your area and know the symptoms. Prompt veterinarian attention can be a matter of life or death.

CAN YOUR DOG INFECT OTHERS? If your dog has Blastomycosis, it is unlikely that you could get the disease from your pet, but it could indicate that you have both been exposed to a contaminated environment. Although Blastomycosis can affect humans, it cannot be transmitted through the air. Handle bandages carefully because on rare occasions the fungus can grow in bandages or on open wounds. Most human cases are contracted in the same way – in nature.  However, your pet is 10 times more likely to get the disease after being exposed to a contaminated environment, because their nose is closer to the ground.

MORE INFORMATION needed?

We partner with some of the best veterinarian practices and are lucky enough to have their guidance and support with life-saving tips. If you have additional questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out these partner offices as they have experience with Blastomycosis:

Wonder Lake Veterinary Clinic at 4405 E Wonder Lake Rd, Wonder Lake, IL  (815) 653-3586

Care Animal Hospital at 1101 W Park Ave., Libertyville, IL  (847) 549-8500

 Goofy’s Seizure Video.

NEWS COVERAGE:

http://chicago.cbslocal.com/tag/blastomycosis/

http://www.suffredin.org/news/newsitem.asp?newsitemid=5810

http://www.livescience.com/37607-fungal-infection-blastomycosis-wisconsin-outbreak.html

http://www.dogheirs.com/events/611

http://m.daily-chronicle.com/2013/04/23/letter-blastomycosis-warning-for-dogs/au1px72/

http://plainfield.patch.com/groups/around-town/p/plainfield-woman-warns-others-after-rare-disease-claims-dogs-life

http://www.myfoxchicago.com/story/19446225/dog-goes-blind-after-getting-fungal

References:
http://www.miravistalabs.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/Blastomycosis-Vet09172012.pdf
http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2013/05/13/blastomycosis-infection.aspx
http://vetmed.illinois.edu/petcolumns/petcols_article_page.php?OLDPETCOLID=67
http://www.canismajor.com/dog/blstomyc.html
http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?c=2+2102&aid=401