Manitoulin Island pet owners raise awareness about Blastomycosis
Brewster, a one-year-old border collie/St. Bernard mix, is now full of energy but that wasn’t the case just six months ago, when he suffered from a terrible cough, sores on his elbows and extreme lethargy.
Owners Stacy and Stewie said they were certain Brewster's original diagnosis of kennel cough in March wasn’t right.
Brewster, a one-year-old border collie/St. Bernard mix, is now full of energy but that wasn’t the case just six months ago, when he suffered from a terrible cough, sores on his elbows and extreme lethargy. (Lyndsay Aelick/CTV News)
“When we realized that he was having a lot of trouble walking, we brought him to our vet here on (Manitoulin) Island and (he was) diagnosed with Blastomycosis," said Stacy Enosse.
"We were told how serious it was -- to the point where our first option we were told we could put him to sleep right now.”
They decided to start immediate anti-fungal treatment, along with pain management, at a cost of more than $300 a month.
In four months, Brewster will be tested to see if the infection is still his system.
"It's a $400 test (offered in) one lab in … North America, down in Indianapolis," said Dr. Janice Mitchell, veterinarian with Island Animal Hospital.
"It's expensive to diagnose. It's expensive to treat. They don't develop lifelong immunity."
The Manitoulin animal hospital has been using a map since 2016 to keep track of cases. Mitchell said while cases aren't increasing, pet owners are becoming more aware.
Brewster, a one-year-old border collie/St. Bernard mix, is now full of energy but that wasn’t the case just six months ago, when he suffered from a terrible cough, sores on his elbows and extreme lethargy. (Photo from video)
Unfortunately, she said there is no real prevention.
“In 2022, 10 cases; 2023, 10 cases (and) so far for 2024, we have five cases," Mitchell said.
"Often they're going to get re-exposed. They picked it up from somewhere in their little environment."
o Download our app to get local alerts on your device
o Get the latest local updates right to your inbox
The best prevention is maintaining your dog's health through good nutrition and plenty of exercise, she added.
Blastomycosis doesn’t just affect pets -- it can also impact humans. In 2021, Constance Lake First Nation near Hearst experienced an outbreak that affected several people and caused the deaths of two community members.
Enosse said she hopes that by sharing Brewster's story, more people will be aware of the signs and symptoms. She also hopes that someday, testing will be more easily accessible.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Polls close for closely watched byelections in Montreal and Winnipeg
The NDP has a slight early lead in Winnipeg while remaining in a three-way race with the Liberals and the Bloc Québécois in Montreal as ballots continue to be counted in two crucial federal byelections.
GoFundMe cancels fundraiser for Ontario woman charged with spraying neighbour with a water gun
A Simcoe, Ont., woman charged with assault with a weapon after accidentally spraying her neighbour with a water gun says GoFundMe has now pulled the plug on her online fundraiser.
Freeland says she is 'not going anywhere' after Conservatives call her 'phantom finance minister'
Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland declared she is 'not going anywhere' when pushed by the Conservatives on Monday about her future as finance minister.
Suspect in apparent assassination attempt on Trump was near golf course for 12 hours
The man suspected in an apparent assassination attempt targeting Donald Trump camped outside a golf course with food and a rifle for nearly 12 hours.
Body recovered from B.C. lake after unclothed man leads investigators to crash site
Mounties are investigating a fatal crash north of Whistler, B.C., after an unclothed man who was found along the side of the road led police to a pickup truck submerged in a lake with one occupant still inside.
'Never seen anything like this': Humpback whale catches unsuspecting seal off Vancouver Island
A Vancouver Island nature photographer says he has never seen anything like what his camera captured on a recent whale-watching excursion off Victoria.
'Not that simple': Trump drags Canadian river into California's water problems
Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump promised "more water than you ever saw" to Californians, partly by tapping resources from a Canadian river.
Mortgage loan rules are changing in Canada
Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland has announced changes to mortgage rules she says are aimed at helping more Canadians to purchase their first home.
First teen sentenced in Kenneth Lee case gets 15 months probation
The first teenager to be sentenced in the death of a Toronto homeless man will not face further time in custody, and instead participate in a community-based program.