A ‘blasto’ warning for dog owners
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This article was published 15/02/2022 (472 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.
Like many Royalwood residents with canine companions, Tanya and Patrick De Warle enjoy walking their 14-year-old, shih tzu-mix rescue dog, Stella, on the Bois-des-Esprits main and side trails, exploring the riverbank.
Between Christmas and New Year’s, Stella began having trouble breathing. She was examined by her veterinarian, who prescribed antibiotics for a suspected case of gingivitis.
Five days later, Stella was in worse shape.
“Stella has always been an active, sturdy dog,” Tanya said. “But she started wheezing and sounded like she was choking.”
An X-ray revealed a lung infection and further tests determined a diagnosis of blastomycosis, or “blasto,” an infection caused by the fungus blastomyces dermatitidis, which is found in soil.
“Blastomycosis can infect many animal species,” said Dr. Ron Worb, veterinarian and chief of staff at Anderson Animal Hospital and Wellness Center in St. Boniface.
“Nearly all the cases I have seen in dogs have been from the Lake of the Woods, Whiteshell and Seine River regions. Fungal growth is supported by wet, sandy, acidic soils rich in organic matter.”
Infection occurs when a dog inhales the fungal spores into the lungs. Blastomycosis has a long incubation period of five to 12 weeks, meaning that Stella likely acquired the infection in the autumn but did not display symptoms.
According to Dr. Worb, dogs are 10 times more likely to contract the disease than humans and it likes to attack the respiratory tract. Lung disease is the most common sign, but not the only one.
“Blastomycosis can be the ‘great pretender’ because so many organs can be infected and it can mimic more common conditions,” Dr. Worb said. “Typically, young large-breed dogs have the highest risk but any dog can be infected.”
Signs and symptoms can include fever, lethargy, weight loss, inability to walk, skin lesions, seizures and eye problems.
The impact can be serious. In Stella’s case, she has lost 20 per cent of her once-27-pound body weight and muscle mass. She needs eight pills per day to treat her infection and monthly veterinarian checks while she recovers.
“Stella spends a lot of time sleeping,” Tanya said. “We have warm, comfortable spots for her to curl up and she’s getting extra love and visits from my parents.”
“We just want everyone to be aware that blasto is out there,” Patrick said. “Stick to the main trails, keep your dog on-leash, and if something’s not right, get it checked out. This infection can progress quickly.”
Tanya Misseghers is a community correspondent for Royalwood.
Tanya Misseghers
Royalwood community correspondent
Tanya Misseghers is a community correspondent for Royalwood.