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Discussion on Blastomycosis
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Member:
Quatro
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Posted on Saturday, Dec 17, 2005 - 9:47 pm:
Dr. O, I had a client call tonight, to let me know that her dog was diagnosed with blastomycosis. We live close to a huge lake resort community. Both of the cases have homes right on the lake, on a wooded lot, lots of decaying leaves. This is the second of my clients who have contacted this. ONe of the dogs, a 7 mo. old lab went completely blind. I am hopeful that they caught Sparky in the beginning stages and treatment will have a positive outcome. Because of the nature of the spread of this fungus, I am curious if it is something that horses can contract as well? It is such an uncommon diagnosis, however, my vet friend has had 3 cases in the past several years around here. Do you know of any cases in horses?
Just trying to learn more about it, of course so I can just worry a little more 
suz
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Monday, Dec 19, 2005 - 9:37 am:
Yes blastomycosis is a rare and sporadically reported infection of horses. Here is the most recent report I find.
DrO:
J Am Vet Med Assoc. 1999 May 1;214(9):1357-60, 1335.
Thoracic and abdominal blastomycosis in a horse.
Toribio RE, Kohn CW, Lawrence AE, Hardy J, Hutt JA.
Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Ohio State University, Columbus 43210, USA.
A 5-year-old Quarter Horse mare was examined because of lethargy, fever, and weight loss of 1 month's duration. Thoracic auscultation revealed decreased lung sounds cranioventrally. Thoracic ultrasonography revealed bilateral anechoic areas with hyperechoic strands, consistent with pleural effusion and fibrin tags. A large amount of free fluid was evident during abdominal ultrasonography. Abnormalities included anemia, hyperproteinemia, hyperglobulinemia, hyperfibrinogenemia, and hypoalbuminemia. Thoracic radiography revealed alveolar infiltrates in the cranial and caudoventral lung fields. A cavitary mass, consistent with an abscess, could be seen caudodorsal to the crura of the diaphragm. Ultrasonographic evaluation of this area revealed a hypoechoic mass with septations. Bilateral thoracocentesis was performed. Bacterial culture of the pleural fluid did not yield growth, but Blastomyces dermatitidis was isolated from pleural fluid, abdominal fluid, and an aspirate of the abscess. The mare was euthanatized, and a diagnosis of thoracic and abdominal blastomycosis was confirmed at necropsy.
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Member:
Quatro
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Posted on Monday, Dec 19, 2005 - 10:40 am:
Thanks Dr. O, my vet friend,who is small animal was not sure.
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