Pythiosis is a very destructive disease which may affect animals such as dogs, cats, horses as well as human beings. This dog disease is caused by water mold called ‘Pythium insidiosum’. When dogs are infected with this specific dog disease their lymph nodes and gastrointestinal system may be affected. Puppies from large breeds are more prone to this dog disease.
Causes for Pythiosis
Pythium insidiosum lives in marshes, slimes and other forms of standing water. It is transmitted to dogs when they drink this water. This may also infect the dogs through their wounds.
Symptoms of Pythiosis
The symptoms of this dog disease are related to the stomach, such as:
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Weight loss
• Noticeable mass in the abdomen
• Blood in the stool
Furthermore a dog may become weak and depressed if it becomes a victim of Pythiosis. If the skin of the dog is infected then it may cause ulcerated lumps. Pythiosis can also affect the lungs and bones of the dogs. Both the skin disease and lung and bones damage in dogs by Pythiosis is very rare.
Treatment for Pythiosis
Pythium infections are normally not cured by antibiotic or anti fungal treatment. The normal treatment for this dog disease involves surgery. The surgery is not only complicated and lengthy but the overall success rate of this is only 20-25%. Surgery has to be accompanied with anti fungal drugs such as Terbinafine hydrochloride and Itraconazole for a period of 2-3 months.
Causes for Pythiosis
Pythium insidiosum lives in marshes, slimes and other forms of standing water. It is transmitted to dogs when they drink this water. This may also infect the dogs through their wounds.
Symptoms of Pythiosis
The symptoms of this dog disease are related to the stomach, such as:
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Weight loss
• Noticeable mass in the abdomen
• Blood in the stool
Furthermore a dog may become weak and depressed if it becomes a victim of Pythiosis. If the skin of the dog is infected then it may cause ulcerated lumps. Pythiosis can also affect the lungs and bones of the dogs. Both the skin disease and lung and bones damage in dogs by Pythiosis is very rare.
Treatment for Pythiosis
Pythium infections are normally not cured by antibiotic or anti fungal treatment. The normal treatment for this dog disease involves surgery. The surgery is not only complicated and lengthy but the overall success rate of this is only 20-25%. Surgery has to be accompanied with anti fungal drugs such as Terbinafine hydrochloride and Itraconazole for a period of 2-3 months.
