Dog owners should pay close attention to their dogs, especially if they spend time near the Mississippi River. A rare fungal disease called blastomycosis thrives in the wet soils near the river and can kill dogs if left untreated.
Dr. Sean Byrd of Skyview Animal Clinic in Cape Girardeau said he has diagnosed dogs in the area from dog owners who live within 400 meters of the Mississippi River.
“It does like to follow the Mississippi River. It likes the sandy, moist soil of that. So, that’s why we see more of it around here,” Dr. Byrd said.
Dr. Byrd said an increase is not expected in the coming years, but he does expect diagnosis to pick up as testing procedures advance.
The fungal bacteria can be inhaled by dogs.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Center, blastomycosis is caused by a fungus called blastomyces.
It is critical for dog owners to check for signs of symptoms for anyone living along the river, according to Dr. Byrd.
“The most common symptom is respiratory distress, coughing, breathing heavy, exercise intolerance. That’s usually the first signs that you will see,” Dr. Byrd said.
Dr. Byrd says as of right now there are no ways of preventing the fungal disease for dogs.
Blastomycosis is a rare disease that Dr. Byrd said he diagnosis about two times a year.
Dogs diagnosed with the disease are given an anti-fungal drug.