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[HelpforMilo]

Hi. I just found out tonight that my dog, Milo -
 12 years old has been diagnosed with Blasto.  I live in
 Toronto.  Does anyone know of a pharmacy where
 purchasing of the anti-fungal medicaitons can be made at a
 discounted price? I saw someone on this blog make a
 comment about PharmacyWorld - but I went on this site and
 they apparrently do not have the drugs.  Any other advice
 would be very helpful.  Thanks so much.

[Lolasmom]

I hate to say welcome to the board but you've found the best place for info and support.  Are you looking for itraconazole?  I am in Alabama but you might want to either search for a local compounder or get your Rx filled for maybe 10 then contact either Pet Pharmacy or Roadrunner Pharmacy in AZ.  Their numbers on on the new members message (I will bump that for you).  If you seach benniesmom you'll find a cheap Canadian Pharmacy she ordered from.
Please let us know how your blasto pup is doing and we wish you the best of luck.

[HelpforMilo]

Thanks so much for your help.  We are all very shocked to have learned that Milo has Blasto.  We live near a very small pond that he hardly goes around but seems that whatever few times he had been there he must have contracted it.  He also has not presented with the "typical" symptoms that I have read about on the internet or on this blog.  It started with a cloudy eye that then got swollen and painful.  Glaucoma was ruled out and the vet was fairly certain that it was a tumor in his eye.  The eye was removed last week.  When it was sent to pathology, it was then confirmed that he has Blasto.  He now has one skin lesion on his paw.  His appetite is poor and he has lost about 14 pounds.  Thankfully, we haven't noticed any respiratory problems yet but I know this thing acts fast so we are trying to initiate his treatment fast too.  One of my many concerns is that Milo is 12 years old.  Will his kidneys and liver be able to handle the stress of these medications?  I don't know but I sure do want to try and give him the chance to beat this thing.  It's so devastating.  Thanks again for your support.

[apope43]

Wow, it's so interesting how this thing comes in waves......respiratory problems for one group, then lesions for another, then eye involvement for us. 

Izzy presented with the exact same thing.  I am glad you found the board.  Izzy lost her eye to blasto last November - so we have been in your shoes!!  Talk to your vet about fluconazole - it is a much better drug therapy choice for cases with eye involvement.  Plus, if you use a Costco or something similiar (with no membership required for pharmacy) it comes in at just under $70US (30 day supply of 700mg/day - Izzy was right around 70lbs at the time).  Walgreen's and other pharmacies were over $1000 US for the same supply, but that dropped to about $200/$300 US if you bought one of their proprietary 'discount' cards.
 
Do a search for Izzy and you'll see her updates as she progressed through treatment, as well as some photos of her first days.  If you'd like to talk one on one, shoot me a private message, and ask as many questions of this board as you think of.  We are all here for you as you start making these decisions for your pup.

I won't lie to you - this is going to be a tough road...and I would definitely be concerned about the effects this very difficult treatment will have on a 12 year old dog.  Our Casey Jones (Izzy's 'sister') just turned 17, but her organ function mimics that of an 11 year old.  If she had been the one diagnosed...I think we would have really questioned ourselves on the treatment.  It is tough, tough, tough on dogs - rapid breathing, fever, suppressed immunity, reduced liver and kidney function, poor appetite, even the occasional heart failure.  Only you know the strength of your dog, though. 
AP

[Lolasmom]

Wishing the best for you and your pup.

PS. Appitie problems are common during the first few weeks. Refer to the welcome newly diagnosed post.  And NOTHING is NORMAL with Blasto.  At times it seems like this fungus has ears, eyes and a brain. It hides, transforms, diguises itself.....  Its horrible stuff but if it can be beat. 
PS. So glad you had the eye removed.

[HelpforMilo]

I guess the one question that sticks out for me right now is how long do those terrible symptoms last once the medication has been started?  When do you start to see them getting better??

Thanks again for all your help.

T

[Lolasmom]

Generally speaking it will start to get bad at about the 3rd day due to the fungus reacting to the azole and causing infamation in the lung.  Then that should start to improve at about day 7 to 10.  The lose of appitite is hard to tell.  Some dogs go off food entirely and others just shy away from it.  As the azoles kill off the fungus it tends to upset their GI and cause loose stools.  Offer your dog a lot of special things such as Rotissarie chicken, game meats, KD, ID, even raw meat.  If all else fails try Ensure with a turkey bastor for a while.

[Lolasmom]

Hopefully you'll do well with the eye removed and little to no lung envolvement.  My dog didn't have lesions but others have used a clay which has worked well.  You can use search for more info.
Buttermilk helped Lolas GI as did Plant Enzymes and Probiotics (Amazon).  Another tip is that fungus doesn't like acid and acid helps the meds work better.  A tbls of apple cider vinager with 2-3 tbls of baking soda (cuts the zing) added to 2 qts water for drinking tends to be popular.

[Sadie123]

I am so sorry to hear that Milo has this aweful illness.  And with his age, you have a right to have the concerns about his liver and kidneys holding up through the treatments.  I pray that you will be able to watch him closely and determine when enough might be enough.  With that said, I really really really do hope that Milo has an easy road to recovery and he can beat this!! 

[Wilson3]

I feel so bad for Milo.... don't let his age fool you... many distinguished gentlemen have battled this nightmare and DID survive.
Yes you will need to watch his liver and kidneys but even with Wilson he was 5ish when he had blasto and we had to watch his organs
we have to the meds are very hard on the dogs ,fluconazole is better for eye involvement but has many side effects that is why itra was made ,much easier on the body. My vet told me that we would know within the first 10 days of treatment if they can handle the meds.
and yes we used generic and wilson survived

Please be carful when feeding raw if the dog is not use to eating raw it will upset the GI really bad. Raw is a wonderful diet but needs to be added slowly
 plant enzymes  and probiotics are great to use. (if you look under case data under wilson I listed all the supplements we used)
helps the GI ,immune system and all around heath.I used powder and sprinkled in on the food. It settles the tummy very well

try putting food in a bowl(human kind) sit next to Milo and start eating it and go mmmmmmm this is soooo good ,do it a few times  make sure it has a strong smell to it, offer milo some (my boys love to eat off my spoon or fork I know some say gross)

feed what ever you can think of eggs,a good juice steak works very well add raw bee pollen to the food great for immune system and natural energy liver works good but if Milo is not use to liver he will get the runs even more
add garlic to the food dogs love garlic tuna also
Wilson was on treatment for 8 months first 3 months a horrible thought we would never make it but giving up was not an option for us (long story to not giving up ) just when you feel enough is enough things seem to turn around. Pray to what ever God you believe in and ask him/her for guidance and strength for you and Milo (everyday ..5x's a day as many as you want)
Believe in miracles they do happen... and if it should be Gods wish to have Milo go back home then it should be
Blasto is a horrible nightmare and loooong battle something you never forget

stay positive and strong Milo needs your positive energy
sit with Milo and talk to him about all the great times (picture them in your mind also) plan a new adventure with Milo for when he is better (something for him to look forward to)
you guys are in my thoughts
wilson3

[Lolasmom]

How is Milo doing today?

[Lolasmom]

How is Milo doing?