Blastomycosist is a Fatal Fungus?
In the September 2003 issue of Dog Fancy I ran across an article, on page 22 under the Checkup Section – Fatal Fungus that is somewhat unnerving. I would advise anyone living in the following regions to go and get them a copy of this magazine and READ IT – here is my synopsis of this article. Regions affected: A fairly well-defined zone in the Upper Midwest, MidAtlantic, and Southeastern States, as well as the Ohio and Mississippi River basins. The fungus occurs more frequently around wetlands and waterways. The article features a young Westie who arrives at the vet’s office coughing and running a fever. Upon microscopic examination of material swabbed from the dog’s tonsils revealed – blastomycosis – a potentially fatal infection affecting multiple vital organs. At body temperature, the spores morph into yeasts and infect the lungs. Via the bloodstream, blasto spreads to the skin, bones, joints, lymph nodes, kidneys eyes, or brain. People can get this too. Major risks factors are livi
