Blastomycosis (also known as “Blasto”) is a fungal infection in dogs caused by Blastomyces fungi. This type of fungus tends to live in the soil and decaying organic matter (e.g. rotting logs and vegetation).
Can dogs get sick from dirt?
While dogs don’t typically eat enough dirt to cause gastrointestinal issues, other than potentially contracting intestinal parasites, dogs eating stones and dirt may develop intestinal blockages, which require surgical removal.
What are the symptoms of blastomycosis in dogs?
The clinical symptoms of blastomycosis may vary with organ involvement which can include coughing, skin lesions, anorexia, depression, fever, weight loss, shortness of breath, exercise intolerance, enlarged lymph nodes, eye disease, or lameness.
Should I let my dog eat dirt?
As you may expect, there are risks to letting your dog continually eat dirt. The main one being impaction of the intestine if your dog eats a lot at once. Impaction often means surgery. “The dirt could also contain pesticides, fertilizers, or other toxins that could reach toxic levels if enough dirt was ingested,” Dr.
What does it mean when a dog licks dirt?
One of the top reasons that dogs eat dirt is because they are bored. This is especially true if your pet is left in the yard or garden all day by itself. Commonly, bored dogs develop repetitive habits as a way to entertain themselves. These activities include licking, chewing, and eating strange items.
How can I tell if my dog has a fungal infection?
Symptoms of this fungal infection include intense itchiness, flaky or crusty skin particularly around your dog’s nails, skin folds, armpits and anal area but can also include ear infections. Treatment can include antibiotics, along with topical anti-fungal treatments such as shampoos, or ear ointments.
What does blastomycosis look like?
Wart-like (verrucous) and small raised pus-filled (papulopustular) lesions are common. They may be violet colored and have very small abscesses around the borders of the lesions. Nodular lesions may be present under the skin (subcutaneous) and are usually accompanied by active fungal infection of the 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.
Can a dog have pica?
Pica is the consumption of non-food substances. Coprophagy, the technical term for the eating of feces, is one of the most common forms of pica in dogs. Both coprophagia and pica in general can cause problems for pets, and sometimes are the result of an underlying medical condition.
What is dog anemia?
Anemia in dogs is a condition which is typically a symptom of an underlying disease. Anemia occurs if your dog’s body doesn’t produce enough red blood cells or haemoglobin, or if they suffer severe blood loss due to condition such as cancer or stomach ulcers, or trauma such as a a serious accident or injury.
How can you tell if a dog is anemic?
The most easily observed and common clinical sign of anemia is a loss of the normal pink color of the gums; they may appear pale pink to white when examined. Anemic dogs also have little stamina or energy, so they seem listless or tire more easily.
What minerals are dogs missing if they eat dirt?
Anemic dogs have a decreased absorption of iron and B vitamins because they don’t have enough healthy red blood cells to carry oxygen to the body’s tissues. Dogs with anemia eat dirt for the same reason dogs with poor diets eat dirt: They are craving those essential vitamins and nutrients they lack.
What causes dog anemia?
Dogs can develop aplastic or non-regenerative anemia as a result of insufficient production of red blood cells. Bone marrow disease, kidney disease, exposure to toxins, parvovirus, chemotherapy drugs and other certain medications can also cause this form of anemia.
Why do dogs eat grass sometimes?
Dogs need roughage in their diets and grass is a good source of fiber. A lack of roughage affects the dog’s ability to digest food and pass stool, so grass may actually help their bodily functions run more smoothly.
