| Sitemap | / |
Always consult with a
veterinarian that you feel
comfortable with before
diagnosing or treating any
disease on your own.
This area is for
reference only.
Health Issues
|
|
Pythiosis
Issue Description
Pythiosis is caused by Pythium insidiosum and occurs most commonly in dogs and horses, but is also found in cats, cattle, and humans. The disease is typically found in young, large breed dogs. Pythium occupies swamps in late summer and infects dogs who drink water containing it. Pythium insidiosum is different from other members of the genus in that human and horse hair, skin, and decaying animal and plant tissue are chemoattractants for its zoospores.
Pythiosis occurs in areas with mild winters because the organism survives in standing water that does not reach freezing temperatures. In the United States it is most commonly found in the Gulf states, especially Louisiana, but has also been found in midwest and eastern states. It is also found in southeast Asia, eastern Australia, New Zealand, and South America.
It is suspected that pythiosis is caused by invasion of the organism into wounds, either in the skin or in the gastrointestinal tract. The disease grows slowly in the stomach and small intestine, eventually forming large lumps of granulation tissue. It can also invade surrounding lymph nodes.
Pythiosis is caused by Pythium insidiosum and occurs most commonly in dogs and horses, but is also found in cats, cattle, and humans. The disease is typically found in young, large breed dogs. Pythium occupies swamps in late summer and infects dogs who drink water containing it. Pythium insidiosum is different from other members of the genus in that human and horse hair, skin, and decaying animal and plant tissue are chemoattractants for its zoospores.
Pythiosis occurs in areas with mild winters because the organism survives in standing water that does not reach freezing temperatures. In the United States it is most commonly found in the Gulf states, especially Louisiana, but has also been found in midwest and eastern states. It is also found in southeast Asia, eastern Australia, New Zealand, and South America.
It is suspected that pythiosis is caused by invasion of the organism into wounds, either in the skin or in the gastrointestinal tract. The disease grows slowly in the stomach and small intestine, eventually forming large lumps of granulation tissue. It can also invade surrounding lymph nodes.
| |
Symptoms
Symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea, depression, weight loss, and a mass in the abdomen. Pythiosis of the skin in dogs is very rare, and appears as ulcerated lumps. Primary infection can also occur in the bones and lungs.
Treatment
Traditional treatment options for Pythium infected dogs include surgical resection of infected tissues and antifungal medications. Overall success when using one or more of these treatment options is only +/- 25%. Recently the USDA has approved an Immunotherapy treatment product. This product consists of purified proteins derived from Pythium Insidiosum. These proteins are injected into the infected patient in an effort to elicit an immune response which will kill the invading Pythium. In horses this treatment is successful in greater than 90% of cases, however, in canine cases the success rate is nearer 50%. Work continues on a new version of this product which will demonstrate a higher success rate in dogs.
Symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea, depression, weight loss, and a mass in the abdomen. Pythiosis of the skin in dogs is very rare, and appears as ulcerated lumps. Primary infection can also occur in the bones and lungs.
Treatment
Traditional treatment options for Pythium infected dogs include surgical resection of infected tissues and antifungal medications. Overall success when using one or more of these treatment options is only +/- 25%. Recently the USDA has approved an Immunotherapy treatment product. This product consists of purified proteins derived from Pythium Insidiosum. These proteins are injected into the infected patient in an effort to elicit an immune response which will kill the invading Pythium. In horses this treatment is successful in greater than 90% of cases, however, in canine cases the success rate is nearer 50%. Work continues on a new version of this product which will demonstrate a higher success rate in dogs.
The material and information on this website, including any merchandise, information or service provided through this website, is provided "as is"
with all faults and without warranty of any kind from the Furry Critter Network, expressed or implied. In no event shall the Furry Critter Network be
liable for any direct damages, special, incidental or consequential damages, lost profits, or any indirect damages arising from the use or inability
to use this website, even if the Furry Critter Network has been informed of the possibility thereof.
