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[Sadie123]

I was doing more research today while Sadie is at the vet's getting her ultrasound done.  I need someone to help me figure this out.  If her USG doesn't reveal a tumor, we are in for more testing.....Her symptoms look so much like blasto, but without the skin or eye leisons.  I came across another type of fungal infection that dogs get and it's called Histoplasmosis.  This looks like mainly a cat disease, but dogs can get it also.  They can inhale the spores just like in blasto. 

Let me refresh you on her story here for those of you who get confused with so many dogs on here...

Sadie started with a cough x 2 weeks, decreased appetite and lethargy x 4-5 days.  Took her in and had an x-ray done - either fungal infection of cancer.  Started on fluco and doxy.  Late that night she started having respiratory difficulty.  That has been coming and going since starting treatment.  Blood work done the next day revealed low red cells (anemia) and low platelets (thrombocytopenia).  White count was slightly elevated (not the normal high that the vet was expecting).  The blood work is not consistent with blasto.  She had fever of 103 which resolved once starting doxy and fluco. 

We are 1 week into treatment so far and have added low dose of prednisone for respiratory difficulty.  Coughing is going away, breathing remains labored off and on but not as bad.  Repeat blood work showed an increase in platelets, but no change in the anemia.  She is still pretty lethargic and appears weaker.  Appetite increasing and remaining fairly consistent. 


Something I've noticed a few days back was that it appeared to be painful when chewing up food.  That has resolved now.  One thing I've read about histoplasmosis is that they can have submandibular lymphadenopathy ( swelling of lymph nodes in submandibular - jaw bone joint).  Also read they can have lymphnode swelling in the bronchial area - which may explain why I was so sure that she was having some upper respiratory difficulty last Friday night (that's what made me start the prednisone - which we are presently in the weaning phase right now). 

Does anyone on here know anything about this disease?  Do your vets know anything?  Have you known a dog or cat with it?  Have you heard of any experts in this area?  My normal vet is off today and I hate to call him on his day off, but I think this is a real possibility here.  Definitely something to look into if the ultrasound is negative for spleen or liver tumors. 

[hippydog]

I don't know anything about histo, but Curby also did not have the skin or eye involvement.  He had only a little cough, persistent fever, and bad lung xrays that did not have the typical snowflake pattern.  He also was SO lethargic, and not eating.  He's almost day 50 on itra, and we noticed a first lesion a few days ago.  He has had some lameness also.  Nothing in the eyes (checked this weekend).

One thing about blasto is the difficulty in diagnosing, because no test is 100%, and the symptoms mask as other things.  Whatever it is, good for you for putting up such a fight.

Nj

[Niners]

Niners had lump, lethargy, loss of appetite, depression, lameness, snowstorm pattern chest xray, difficulty breathing, coughing and seizures! She never had a fever except back in September when the lump first showed up, and no lesions or eye involvement.

It is tough to predict.

ct

[apope43]

Did they add Histo to the panel when you did the miravista blasto test?  I think they can offer both, but like NJ said no test is 100% because this thing is so flippin frustrating!

Sounds fungal, but gosh, it's so hard to tell.  Izzy didn't have a fever until after her eye surgery.....we have a call with our vet tomorrow, I can ask him about the difference if it would help?  He's been digging into the fungals a lot since Izzy came through the door.  Just let me know, I'm happy to do it.

It's so funny to be wishing for a diagnosis of something...you want so badly for it all to be nothing, but the not knowing is torture, so I know you're finding yourself wishing that SOMETHING would show up on those tests!!  Good luck, we're behind you!

[Cathy, Bailey and Duke]

The first time Duke had blast there were no lesions, swelling or eye involvment. He had lots of the snowflake pattern for the lungs.

[Wilson3]

how is sadie doing on the anti fungals?

right now they have no answer and is they seem to be helping I would stay on them
proud of you for still search for an answer! one will come...
wilson3


remember when I said a guy w/a irish wolf hound had something to consider  here is what he posted his dog had

(his name is richard his dogs name Hans
   
Oh, and here is a link to a pdf that describes Chagas disease in humans and dogs if anyone is interested.
http://www.cfsph.iastate.edu/Factsheets/pdfs/trypanosomiasis_american.pdf

Usually the first sign of it is heart disease but with Hans he intially had symptoms much like a fungal disease. Fever, swelling of his hind legs and lymph nodes. Luckily our vet is doing a study on Chagas disease and ran a test for it so we caught it early. He said it fairly common in the southern states but not often diagnosed by most vets since most think of it as only a south american disease so they never test for it. So it's something to keep in mind if your in the southern states and your dog gets heart disease or has symptoms that the vet can't figure out. The test for it was only $45.)

( I do not know how to do the quote thing when its in the blue)

[Sadie123]

I read about the Chagas disease.  Her symptoms don't really coincide.  She had a ultrasound of her chest and abdomen yesterday, which revealed no abnormalities.  Heart, liver, spleen and intestines all looked completely normal.  Heart is not enlarged on the chest x-ray.  Her cough has been gone for a better part of 48 hrs now, but she is weak and fatigued. She still walks but very slowly.  Any activity leads to a short bout of respiratory distress.  At rest she is still short of breath.  Her appetite is very good.  She eats almost anything I give her with the exception to dry dog food.  Things that she really likes are eaten with such vigor - she almost swallows them whole.  Overall she is weaker than she was 1 week ago, but her appetite is improved.  Her shortness of breath is worse. 

[benniesmom]

Just thinking about Sadie... hope she's a little better.. and then more a little better and then some more.

[Sadie123]

Thanks Barb!  Sadie is holding her own right now.  The last 2 days, she's been down.  Just laying around most of the day.  Breathing seemed more labored yesterday, but today seems improved.  Appetite remains good.  The vet called this morning and her tick titer showed a positive responce to Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever.  The numbers were a little high, but not much.  This could mean something, or nothing.  It could just mean that she was exposed at some point in her life, or it could be related to this illness.  We are supposed to go back on Dec 6th for a repeat of the titer to compare numbers.  If they go up, we know that's what it is.  I have read that in tickborne illness that the titer bay remain low during an active infection IF the dog is very ill.  Well that could very well be us, because she is very ill.  She still has the sparkle in her eye and eating very well.  She has absolutely no energy but when awake remains very alert responding to all noises.  A slight jump onto the sofa will cause an episode of labored breathing.  At rest she's still breathing rapidly.  The cough seems to have gone away.  I notice her taking deeper breaths.  I think right now it's the anemia more than anything that's getting her down.  Vet says to watch her and if she gets any worse, we'll repeat a CBC on Monday.  If she holds her own, then we will do the CBC on Dec. 6th.   

It's nice to see her begging me for food instead of me begging her to eat.  That is one thing that keeps me hopeful.  Thanks for caring. 

Lots of love to you and Bennie!!
Shelley and Sadie

[apope43]

For the anemia have you been feeding her any beef liver?  Pet Tabs (a brand of supplement) are also a great option for an iron boost.  Izzy was anemic this spring, and a meal or two of beef liver alongside a few days of Pet Tabs took care of it.

[Sadie123]

I thought about getting her some liver, but I read somewhere if the anemia is caused by an illness, not trauma then it really wouldn't help.  Is it very expensive at the pet store?  I am cutting back my extras right now, the vet bills have been enormous.  Cancelling my gym membership and newspaper tomorrow.  BUt if it's not too much I can go get some. 

[benniesmom]

liver. couldn't you just buy at the grocery store? shouldn't cost much.......the butcher probably has it..youll just have to fry it in some butter, fast, hot, and not too long..

[Sadie123]

Barb,

I've never cooked liver in my life.  I need "specific" directions on cooking.  Does it need to be cooked thoroughly?  How long, how fast, how high? 

Trying not to get my hopes up here but my son just put his plate in the sink after eating and Sadie tried getting the leftover food out of it.  That's a huge milestone compared to the past 2 days.  She's back to begging at dinnertime.   

[benniesmom]

put the skillet (frying pan ) on a burner at med-high heat. add 2-3 Tablespoons of butter, or Margarine, and when it melts, throw the liver in, whole..... cook each side 3-5 minutes, or until just cooked through and not very pink. a little pink is okay......... This is my estimate of how I do it..... we hated it as kids because it was overcooked. Done this way, tender, it's yummm. But I am not positive about exact minutes. I'm one of those people whose recipes are really cook it a little, but not too much, and add some basil, but not too much, and a little wine but not too much.... you get my drift..... anyway.. med-high, it's okay if the butter turns brown, just don't over cook..it'll taste better and you 'll save energy//// however. if it's only for a doggie, it won't matter. she will love it anyway. and at 3-4 bucks a lb, you can make a LOT of liver bits......but I would just let her have all she will scarf up. and good that she has an appetitite today!

Bennie is still just chicken and ensure plus, thanks Amazing when a dog turns down ground beef...

[Sadie123]

Thanks Barb.  Yeah, it'll just be for the doggie, so if I mess it up, I'm sure she won't mind.  I've never eaten it and don't ever really plan on it.  I'm brave enough to try new meats like alligator and calamari, but don't like the idea of trying liver.  I'll let ya know how it turns out.