BLASTOMYCOSIS IN DOGS - 115 CASES (1980-1995)

Objective-To characterize diagnostic results, treatment, and outcome o f dogs with blastomycosis during a 15-year period in Louisiana. Design -Retrospective case series. Animals-115 dogs with blastomycosis. Proce dure-Medical records were reviewed for dogs with blastomycosis examine d between 1980 and 1995. Additional data were collected from the state veterinary diagnostic laboratory, via telephone interviews of owners, and by use of a random survey of the hospital population. Results-Bla stomycosis was detected mainly in young, large-breed dogs. Proximity t o a body of water was a significant risk factor for affected dogs. Mos t dogs were affected in January and August through October. Clinical s igns and results of physical examination reflected the multisystemic n ature of the disease. Commonly affected systems included the respirato ry tract and lymphatic, ocular, and cutaneous systems. Nodular interst itial and interstitial patterns were common findings on thoracic radio graphs. Cytologic examination was successful in identifying organisms in samples from vitreous, skin, and lymph nodes. Similar results were achieved for dogs treated with a combination of amphotericin B and ket oconazole, compared with dogs treated with itraconazole. Clinical impl ications-Results of this study should assist veterinarians with the re cognition and management of blastomycosis in dogs. Blastomycosis shoul d be considered as a differential diagnosis for large-breed dogs that live close to a body of water in areas in which the disease is endemic or in dogs with a history of being transported to endemic areas that subsequently develop signs of pulmonary, ocular, lymphatic, or cutaneo us disease. Treatment with itraconazole was as effective as treatment with a combination of amphotericin B and ketoconazole.