Anyone know of or have a dog that has had pythiosis?

[trooper]

We lost a dog to pythiosis back in the spring. I've sent you a pm.

[goosebruce]

tammy Im sorry to hear that. I wish nobody ever had to feel the pain of losing one, but espeically a young one with so much life ahead. Sorry again. travis

[Guns Up]

Tammy,
we have never meet nor talked but we do share a passion, and with that I am very sorry for your loss.
Does anyone know where they are finding this fungis, and what is causing its growth. the reason I ask is up untill today I have not heard of pythiosis, and I have my pup with a trainer in MS

[franny131]

Is anyone familiar with something called blue green algae, just wondering if anyone here has heard of this bacteria. There was an article in the June 2005 Waterfowler.com magazine issue about the dangers for dogs, and problems in the south with ponds and lakes. Is this the same bacteria or just something similar?

[TBell]

Tammy,
we have never meet nor talked but we do share a passion, and with that I am very sorry for your loss.
Does anyone know where they are finding this fungis, and what is causing its growth. the reason I ask is up untill today I have not heard of pythiosis, and I have my pup with a trainer in MS

Guns Up,

It is not a fungus but a pathogen, and it exists everywhere naturally just like a fungus, mold, bacteria, etc. Most dogs have a natural resistance, but a small population of dogs are susceptible. They don't know why yet.

All you can do is have your trainer look for any subtle health problems such as occasional vomiting, weight loss or poor appetite, then have their blood tested for the disease. Their is a vaccine for horses which has shown promise for dogs.

We cannot be afraid of naturally existing diseases, or we would never take our dogs out of the house. We can only be aware of problems when they crop up and have the best information available to diagnose them.

Good luck with your dog,

Tammy

[cdwyer]

Tammy,

Is there a way to eliminate it from established controlled training ponds? I can not find anything that mentions what type of envirnemnet it thrives in or is it just part of nature?

I treat my ponds in sections throughout the summer months to control algae with Cooper Sulfate. Wondering if Copper Sulfate would eliminate it.

I have been looking at some natural means of algae control but don't want to take a chance on providing an enviornment for something worse to live in.
My dogs spend more time in my ponds than anywhere else if it was eliminated at home that couldn't hurt.

[franny131]

We used to raise catfish in the delta and when the algae started growing we agitated the water. Backed tractors down to the ponds and had some kind of contraption on the rear that turned and moved the water. That would be safe, no chemicals required for that if you have a tractor. Eventually, we installed large pumps in the edge of all the ponds, but that's not practical at all for most folks. I don't know how often it would need to be done, but best I remember algae grows fastest on sunny days. Movement of the water helps clear up the algae. You could check with your county extension office, catfish farmer or some similar source. Just food for thought.

[TBell]

Fungicides are insecticides which are probably worse for more dogs than the fungus. Pythium is a mammalian pathogen and not a fungus so I do don't know if it would kill it anyway. The agitated water idea may be helpful in reducing algae, fungus etc., and it would be a good idea to check on it with the county guy.

Wish I knew of something to do to keep our ponds safe, but it might be a little like killing bacteria. The more 'antibiotics' you use, the more resistant they become to treatment. If you kill one type of fungus or mold, then what other organism will grow? It is all about balance in nature.

I think our hope is in getting the Canine Health Organizations to donate some money to develop a canine vaccine to keep our animals safe. Unfortunately the money will only be spent if more dogs acquire this terrible disease. I am going to raise as much awareness as I can to hopefully give them the initiative to spend.