Dr. Jeff Schuett DVM, ABVP started his seminar on Blastomycosis at 1:00 pm.
Dr. Schuett started off by saying dogs and people can get this disease, but people cannot get it from a dog. Endemic across the Great Lakes, California, the South, Tennessee Valley and North. It is not seen much in the southeast or far west.
Takes specific soil (acidic and sandy), river beds, old farmsteads, chicken coops.
The disease can frequently be misdiagnosed.
Enters the body through respiratory tract. Cannot transfer from dog to person. The incubation period is two weeks to three months.
Symptoms are...
Fever - 40% of cases
Ocular involvement
Central Nervous System is affected 5% of the time.
Organs Affected:
Respiratory
Ocular
Lymphatic
Skin
Bones
Non-healing skin lesion
Diagnosis...
A physical exam may not point to signs of this disease, but diagnosis is accurate with an antigen urine test through MiraVista Labs. Radiographs might not show it.
Blastomycosis is a thick-walled budding yeast.
Treatment...
Treatment is never less than 60 days, preferred treatment is Itraconazole (2 - 6 months)
Key Points...
Can be misdiagnosed
Fever of unknown origin
Accurate test by MiraVista
Treat early if you suspect the disease
Can experience reinfection.
For more complete details, Dr. Jeff will post this presentation on his website:
www.PewaukeeVeterinaryServices.com
Then Dr. Jeff went on to describe the Field First Aid Kit.