As a result of the widespread distribution of the aspergillus fungus throughout the natural world, particularly in soil, all living things, including humans and dogs, are regularly subjected to it.
Although it is highly uncommon in dogs, Aspergillus can sometimes cause infections in the frontal sinuses and nasal cavities of canines.
This nasal infection is more frequent in canines with long noses; however, all breeds are vulnerable to developing the condition.
It is unknown why some dogs get the disease, even though the majority of pets never have it throughout their lifetime.
Aspergillosis dog treatment cost
Aspergillosis treatment in dogs will typically cost between $350 and $3000.
This huge variation in price is due to long-term treatment (sometimes up to 3 months in chronic cases) of fungal infection that indirectly increases the whole treatment cost.
Other factors that affect the overall treatment cost include the diagnosis and the amount of time spent in the hospital.
More about Aspergillosis dog treatment cost
Most fungal growths are superficial and resistant to treatment with injections or oral medicines. For this reason, the instillation of topical antifungal medications into the nasal passage and the frontal sinuses is required for all types of treatment for nasal Aspergillosis. This procedure must be conducted under general anesthesia.
The veterinary professional treating your pup will consult the results of the CT scan to offer recommendations for the most effective course of therapy for your pet based on where the disease is most severe and how widespread it is.
The available treatments range from a minimally invasive procedure called a “keyhole” procedure, which involves making small holes in the frontal sinuses, to a complete surgical procedure, which is used to remove large amounts of fungal disease from the nasal cavities and sinuses before treating the patient with antifungal medication.
If your dog is given a diagnosis of systemic Aspergillosis, then more tests will need to be conducted to determine why this occurred and whether or not there is evidence of a preexisting immune system disorder. Oral antifungal medication is typically prescribed to dogs who have systemic Aspergillosis for treatment purposes.
Does pet insurance cover the cost of Aspergillosis treatment cost in dogs?
Yes, many pet insurance providers can cover the cost of any fungal treatment in canines, including Aspergillosis treatment. But, before buying any pet insurance premium for your pup, try to consult your veterinarian at any cost.
How to correctly diagnose Aspergillosis in dogs?
A few distinct approaches may be taken to arrive at a conclusive diagnosis of Aspergillosis. When put under the microscope, nasal swabs can occasionally provide a diagnosis, as fungal cultures were taken from the affected region.
However, these tests frequently fail to identify the organisms, and they may also provide positive results in animals whose symptoms are not caused by Aspergillus. This is because many healthy animals may carry Aspergillus in their nasal cavity.
As a result, the use of these methods in diagnosing Aspergillosis is not done very frequently. Radiographs of nasal regions will often indicate bone degeneration in the sinuses. This is a common symptom of sinusitis.
An additional reliable method of diagnosis is the utilization of a small flexible scope to inspect and obtain a biopsy of an infected region inside the nasal cavity or sinus. Blood tests, such as the ELISA tests and CBC, can also be used to identify the condition in some cases.
In most cases, a diagnosis is arrived at by employing a combination of the aforementioned diagnostic procedures.
Aspergillosis prognosis in dogs
More than one kind of therapy may be necessary in order to eradicate the infection completely. If your dog has a severe infection, the veterinarian may recommend that he or she be hospitalized to complete the therapy.
As soon as your dog is back in its own environment, you should keep an eye out for any signs of nasal discharge and contact the vet if you see any other symptoms. In most cases, the vet will request and favor that you bring your pup back for follow-up tests to check that the illness has been eradicated.
Conclusion
Treatment for canine Aspergillosis will typically run between $350 and $3000, depending on the severity of the infection.
