by Sara Jackson

Created on: July 15, 2009   Last Updated: July 16, 2009

Systemic fungi exist as organisms in and around your pet's surroundings including soil, decaying vegetation, and feces. Your pet can become infected by inhaling, ingesting or even contact through skin, with the soil and air being the two primary sources of infection.

There are five different types of Systemic Fungal Infections:

1. Aspirgillosis-

This type of fungal infection is seen mostly in young dogs, especially breeds with long noses. The fungus infects the nasal chambers, with lesions sometimes occurring in a number of organs, including the eye.

Signs and symptoms-

Aspirgillosis first starts in the nasal cavity, producing a nasal discharge that can last for months before becoming bloody. Your dog may suffer from nasal pain, sneezing and lethargy. The fungus will in time, destroy the spongy nasal passage, with a large number of fungal growths. If left untreated, the fungi will continue to spread to the cranium, and soft tissue around the eye.

Diagnosis-

Taking a culture is not always easy; therefore microscopic evaluations of the fungi growing in the nasal cavity and membranes are also needed for a positive identification. Your vet may suggest a radiograph to show how much tissue has been damaged.

Treatment-

Involves daily tablets of either Ketoconazole or Flutoconazole up to 3-6 months or more. Surgical scraping of the nasal passages is sometimes necessary.

2. Cryptococcosis-

A fungal disease that affects the respiratory tract, eyes, skin and central nervous system. The fungus exists in the form of yeast found in the environment such as in the soil, and fowl droppings.

Signs and symptoms-

This type of fungal infection is transmitted by the inhalation of spores or through open wounds. Signs of the infection first appears as lesions on the dog's lungs, facial regions, legs and cerebral cavities. It can then rapidly spread to the animal's central nervous system and eyes. When the brain becomes involved, the symptoms include circling, staggering, changes in behavior, sneezing, coughing, nasal and eye discharge. In some cases, blindness can occur.

Treatment-

Once the infection has spread to a certain point, there is little success in treatment.

3. Histopasmosis-

This type of fungus is non-contagious and exists in tropical and subtropical areas such as the Mississippi, Ohio River Valleys and the Appalachian Mountain Range. Bat and fowl manure provide a rich setting for the fungus to grow.

Signs and symptoms-

Some strains of the infection

• 1
• 2
• Next Page >>