Fungal Infections in Dogs
The bad thing about fungal infections is that they can affect a dog’s breathing, skin, and internal organs. Your dog can become extremely sick, which may require emergency veterinarian attention. You may be wondering how your dog can get a fungal infection. These infections can result from contact with an infected animal, encountering the fungus in the environment, or an overgrowth of the fungi naturally present in and on your dog’s body. There are two main types of fungal infections seen in dogs: systematic and localized.
Systematic fungal infections affect your dog’s organs, nasal passages, lungs, bones, or eyes. Below are some of the most common systematic fungal infections in the United States.
Aspergillosis – Nasal Aspergillosis can spread through your dog’s nasal passages. Disseminated Aspergillosis is a more serious fungal infection that negatively impacts the dog’s bones, muscles, or organs.
Cryptococcosis – This is a fungus that is inhaled by dogs and affects the respiratory tract.
Blastomycosis – Hunting dogs are at the highest risk of inhaling this fungus because it lives in areas with moist acidic soil rich in decaying vegetation.
It may be challenging to spot localized fungal infections because the itching and scratching are often thought to result from dry skin or fleas. Ringworm and fungal dermatitis are the most common localized fungal infections. A collection of pathogenic fungi causes ringworm. Fungal dermatitis is a skin condition that can occur when the yeast that usually lives in your pet’s ears and areas of the skin overpopulates these areas.
Common signs of fungal infections include:
- Lethargy
- Nasal discharge
- Eye problems
- Coughing
- Weight loss
- Fever
- Skin lesions
We recommend that you seek veterinary care if your dog suffers from a fungal infection. These types of medical conditions will worsen if they are not properly addressed.
