Dog Community

I thought a little dirt never hurt nobody?

Posted : 3/30/2006 10:37:44 PM

Today I just found out that its not true. My friends dog just died from some sort of fungus that she got from eating mud in the back yard. Can someone please explain this to me? Where does it come from and what is it called? My dogs are always licking at the mud in my back yard and I am freaking. My friend lives in a different town than me and apparently there have been a couple incedents reported there. Nothing here yet but I'm still worried about my pups as this town is only 4 hours away and they have the same weather system as we do here in Thunder Bay.

scoobychick

Posted : 3/31/2006 2:17:31 AM

This is the first time I had heard of a dog dieing from eating mud. I think the only way this would be possible if there was something toxic in the mud thats just a guess.

pumaward

Posted : 3/31/2006 6:04:52 AM

I don't know what kind of fungus it was. It could have been anything from a mushroom to something microscopic.

I wouldn't let your dogs lick the mud; chances are they will be fine... but, fungus typically thrives in wet, boggy places, especially if it has a bunch of organic matter in it or near by (leaves, dog poo, dead grass, etc).

I'm very sorry to hear about your friend's dog [

]

spiritdogs

Posted : 3/31/2006 7:18:07 AM

There are diseases that are caused by fungi.
Some of them:
Aspergillosis
Blastomycosis
Candidasis
Coccidiodomycosis
Cryptococcosis
Histoplasmosis
The world is a dangerous place, unfortunately. It's probably best to keep dogs from eating mud, or from drinking out of puddles. Best defense is a good "leave it" and "come" command, taught in puppyhood.

huskymom

Posted : 3/31/2006 1:43:10 PM

Is there anyway to get rid of the fungus. I mean this dog got it in her back yard and she has another dog plus 2 children.

eskieservant

Posted : 3/31/2006 2:42:48 PM

I would try and find out exactly what the fungus was and what caused it. I live in Toronto and we have lots of mud and our Eskimo loves it - he is never off leash but it sure is a struggle to keep him out of it. I agree with other posters that there is something in the ground. Actually when I first read your post I was expecting to read that the pup had died from Lepto. We are going for shots etc. on Tues. - Eskie turns 2 - and Lepto shot is at top of our list. I think of the raccoons and skunks in yard at night and am concerned. I hope the figure out what the problem was.

huskymom

Posted : 3/31/2006 4:16:27 PM

I believe it was Blastomycosis.

janobonano

Posted : 3/31/2006 5:58:21 PM

Blasto is a spore that is inhaled. It is naturally ocurring in decomposing organic matter, I think. We have it around here too. It's scary. I don't think there's anything you can do about it, and there's really no "cure". Humans can get it also.

jennie_c_d

Posted : 3/31/2006 6:54:35 PM

That's *really* scary. Poor dog, and poor family! My dogs dig up stuff and eat it, and eat grass, leaves, and other random dirty things all the time.