What You Need to Know About Canine Sporotrichosis

In dogs, fungal infection such as sporotrichosis can be a rare phenomenon. But, once canine sporotrichosis is diagnosed but remains improperly treated, it can be a threat and a serious fungal infection.

Studies show that canine sporotrichosis refers to a dog's fungal infection that is caused by "sporothrix schenckii" fungus that usually thrives in most soil and other organic remains. It has been found out that canine sporotrichosis is prevalent in dogs especially in the outdoor or hunting dogs that are have higher tendencies of quarrelling.

Canine sporotrichosis can be transmitted in dogs when the sporothrix schenckii fungus entered any part of the body that has been wounded or punctured. This open wound that can be a result of fistfight, thorn, or a stick, can lead to the spread of the infection in the dog's body.

Experts say that some of the symptoms of canine sporotrichosis may include the existence of small and raised nodules on its body, in the head, or in the ears that can are ulcerated, presence of bumps that are either be clean or cloudy, itchy and sometimes painful lesions that are usually found in the feet, and occurrence of local lymph nodes.

Since it is a rare disease, Canine sporotrichosis diagnosis can be a difficult process to go through. This infection can be hard to diagnose especially in dogs because the causative organism itself can be hard to find. The symptoms sometimes do not confirm the presence of the fungi, making it more difficult to diagnose right away. Diagnosis of canine sporotrichosis may include a fluorescent antibody or by culturing the body fluid for possible infection.

When it comes treatment for canine sporotrichosis, experts say that the treatment options available today can be effective. These options may include the administration of oral potassium iodide in dogs that usually lasts from three to seven weeks and application of more expensive alternative treatments such as ketoconazole or itraconazole. Make sure that you don't use antibiotics or steroids because these can be ineffective since the causative agent is fungi and not bacteria.