Pythium Insidiosum, Lagenidium and Para-Lagenidium lesions progress rapidly. For this reason, a quick diagnosis is essential for animal survival. Most veterinary practitioners are not experienced with these diseases, so recognition is important. Most aren’t even aware of a simple blood test for diagnosis The diagnosis of oomycete infections can be difficult due to clinical and histological similarity to fungal infections.
Special expertise is required for diagnosis by biopsies. Diagnosis is difficult because the organism requires warm temperatures to thrive. On biopsy you need a trained eye and special stain to identify the hyphal structures of the organism. It also takes considerable time for these special laboratory procedures to be completed.
Abdominal radiographs in dogs with gastrointestinal pythiosis may unusual results. Most show an intestinal blockage, intestinal wall thickening or defect, and/or abdominal mass. An ultrasound image of the dog’s abdomen will tend to show thickening of the wall of the stomach or intestines. Enlarged lymph nodes may be evident due to the infection.
A complete blood count (CDB) may be normal or have a slightly higher Eosinophil (white blood cell) count due to the infection. They will not show a Pythium Insidiosum infection. Several Veterinary Schools now offer a blood test. You or your vet can order your own through PavLab. PavLab is able to test for both Pythium Insidiosum, Lagenidium and now Para-Lagenidium strains to determine the level of exposure to either pathogen.
Contact PavLab to diagnose Pythiosis and Lagenidiosis with a simple, affordable and fast blood test at 800-856-9655.
