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."

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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.