When hearing the word “walk”, most dogs go completely bonkers.
Pups adore exploring the world, socializing, and getting a breath of fresh air; however, sometimes, even on an innocent walk, there can be unseen dangers lurking.
The Fuller family learned this firsthand when their dog Bear suddenly started experiencing an array of bizarre health symptoms— including scabs on his skin, pus from his eyes, and an incessant cough.
Eleven-year-old Lucas Fuller was horrified when, seemingly out of nowhere, Bear developed these symptoms, and the family quickly rushed him to the vet.
After a few tissue tests, the vets confirmed that Bear had a nasty case of blastomycosis.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says blastomycosis (or “blasto”, for short), is a fungal infection caused by Blastomyces— a fungus which thrives in moist soil and decomposing matter, such wood and leaves.
Blastomycosis has been known to infect humans; however, the symptoms are much less severe than in dogs. PetMD says that dogs infected with blastomycosis often exhibit fever, anorexia, eye discharge, breathing difficulties, and pus-filled lesions of the skin— and for many, the infection is fatal.
When the Fullers learned about Bear’s condition, they were devastated— the family simply didn’t have enough money for Bear’s expensive, 6-month-long treatment.
But Lucas was determined, even going so far as to distribute flyers throughout his neighborhood, looking to work in exchange for cash for Bear’s treatment.
“I really love this dog, and I didn’t want him to die,” Lucas later tells CBS4.
Looking for any way to save her son’s best friend Bear, on August 10th, 2017, Lucas’s mom Karen Fuller created a GoFundMe account in an attempt to raise the money for Bear’s treatment.
In regards to the account, Karen tells CBS4, “It was a lot more of a response than I thought it would be!”
To the Fullers’ surprise, people were touched by their story, and in less than a month, the family ended up collecting nearly $5,000 to help pay Bear’s veterinary costs.
The most recent update on their GoFundMe page was posted by Karen on September 4th, 2017:
It reads, in part, “This crazy disease seems to be so unpredictable, as I never know what’s coming next…”
“The swelling has come back in his right front and rear right legs making walking difficult. He also has the one toe that does not want to heal […] He finished those meds but infection is raging there again. And appetite is fading again. We will be back to our amazing doctors…”
Although Bear has not yet healed from his blastomycosis, Karen would like to thank her donators, writing:
“We would not have been able to afford Bear’s care alone! You have been truly amazing. I am thankful we can get him all the medical care he needs. I will continue to post updates as we fight this BLASTOMYCOSIS!
“Love, Karen, Lucas, and Bear”
It can be hard to protect your animal from blastomycosis, but Dog Heirs would like to leave you with a few tips:
- Don’t let your dog play near rotting vegetation
- Don’t let your dog play at water’s edges or in dark, dense forest
- Don’t let your dog play in areas that have formerly been linked to blastomycosis
- Don’t let your dog play near areas with a lot of loose dust or dirt
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