Dogs are susceptible to a wide range of fungal infections, especially when they spend a lot of time outdoors. These infections can be worrisome for pet owners because some bacterial infections can be fatal if treatment is not administered promptly.
The immune system typically controls the many fungi and bacteria that live on the skin, so they do not cause issues under normal circumstances. But skin conditions may change or the immune system may become suppressed, leading to fungal or bacterial infections.
Every pet is potentially at risk for contracting a fungal infection, and an accurate diagnosis is necessary before appropriate treatment can begin. Read on to learn more about fungal infections in dogs.
Common Types of Fungal Infection in Dogs
Aspergillosis
Infections with Aspergillus fungus are usually limited to a dog’s nasal passages. Aspergillosis can affect dogs residing in almost any part of the country since the fungus is present in most soils.
Treatment
Treatment typically involves anesthetizing the pet and infusing his nasal passages with a liquid anti-fungal medication. Most dogs will recover if treated appropriately, although a second treatment may be necessary in some cases.
Cryptococcosis
The fungus Cryptococcus is found in soil around the world but is most abundant in areas where pigeons or other birds gather in large numbers. Dogs generally inhale the fungus, which then leads to lung infection. This fungal disease initially affects the dog’s respiratory tract, but can go on to affect the central nervous system, eyes, and skin. Symptoms of cryptococcosis in dogs range from lethargy, coughing, nasal discharge, eye problems, and skin lesions, to seizures and other neurologic abnormalities.
Treatment
Treating cryptococosis can be challenging. While the most common treatment is an oral antifungal medication, it may need to be administered for a year or longer. Sadly, many dogs are unable to recover from this fungal infection.
Candidiasis
Candidiasis is a localized fungal disease affecting the mucous membranes, the skin, and the gastrointestinal tract. It is distributed worldwide in a variety of animals and is most commonly caused by species of the yeast-like fungus, Candida albicans.
Signs of infection are variable and nonspecific (for example, diarrhea, weakness, skin lesions) and may be associated more with the primary or predisposing conditions than with the candidiasis infection itself.
Treatment
An ointment or topical application may be useful in the treatment of oral or skin candidiasis. Your veterinarian may also recommend different drugs given by mouth or through the vein for treatment of infected dogs.
Blastomycosis
Blastomycosis is a regional systemic fungal disease. The fungus is prevalent due to the moist, rotting, organic debris and bird droppings commonly found in water logged areas. A dog can get this disease by inhaling infected spores.
The symptoms are seen in the respiratory system, with coughing, weight loss, and lameness being the most common.
Treatment
If left untreated, blastomycosis may result in pneumonia. Blastomycosis is treated using ketoconazole, fluconazole, or itraconazole.
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