Histoplasmosis in Dogs
Histoplasmosis in Dogs Guide: Here you'll find in-depth information on histoplasmosis in dogs including its causes, symptoms, and treatments.
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Histoplasmosis is a systemic fungal infection that can affect companion animals as well as people. Fungi are a family of organisms that live in soil and other organic matter. Many fungi, including the one which causes histoplasmosis, are spread by means of airborne spores that are resistant to heat and can survive in the environment for long periods of time. While histoplasmosis is not common in domestic dogs, it can be life-threatening. Prompt diagnosis and
Histoplasmosis is a disease caused by the fungus Histoplasma capsulatum. Its symptoms vary greatly, but the disease primarily affect the lungs. Occasionally, other organs are affected. This form of the disease is called disseminated histoplasmosis, and it can be fatal if untreated.Yes. Positive histoplasmin skin tests occur in as many as 80% of the people living in areas where H. capsulatum is common, such as the eastern and central United States. Infants, young children, and
Many, if not most, cases of histoplasmosis in domestic dogs are subclinical, which means that no outward signs of illness are observable by their owners. In some cases, however, this fungal infection causes severe disease. The nature and extent of symptoms will depend upon the organ system(s) infected by the organism.Histoplasmosis may be confined to the lungs or the gastrointestinal tract, or it may become systemic if the organism is disseminated throughout the dog’s body.
Histoplasmosis can be fatal. Thankfully, it usually can be diagnosed and treated successfully, although diagnosis can be rather difficult.A veterinarian presented with a dog that is showing respiratory and/or gastrointestinal signs and has a history of recent travel to the Mississippi, Missouri or Ohio River basins, to areas around the Great Lakes or to the Appalachian Mountains, probably will have a heightened suspicion of fungal infection by the Histoplasma capsulatum organism. Sick dogs that recently
Histoplasmosis is a serious, potentially fatal disease that can develop in dogs exposed to the causative fungal organism, Histoplasma capsulatum. Fortunately, once the disease is diagnosed, it usually can be treated, although successful treatment takes many months. The therapeutic goal is to clear the infection and thereby relieve the affected dog of all symptoms of the disease.Mild cases of canine histoplasmosis typically are treated with a class of anti-fungal pharmaceuticals called “azoles.” The duration of