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[Pandomania]

Our 1.5 y/o Aussie was diagnosed with Blasto Sept 20.  He has lung involvement, eye involvement and open sores.  He was in the ICU at MSU for approx 1 week.  He has been home and doing fairly well...gaining his weight back, eating, wanting to play, and no longer moaning.  The one thing that is very concerning is his eye sight.  The last day or so we have noticed that Pando's sight is diminishing, he is having a hard time tracking things and finding his toys.  Has anyone had a pet that had eye involvement (difficulty seeing and redness in the eyes) and maintained the eye sight?  We are concerned that he may lose his eyes and we aren't sure how to deal with that.  Pando is currently on Itra (1x per day), prednisolone every other day and eye drops every 8 hrs.  Any words of encouragement would be awesome!! 

[luvmyjacks]

Keep checking the forum tonight and tomorrow.  I spoke to a fellow today who had experimental treatment on an eye and the sight seems to be returning. I hae asked him to post the name of the treatment and the name and contact info of the vet so others may try to arrange a consult.  I understand that Itraconazole was injected directly into the back of the eye, killing the fungus.  I will let him describe the specifics but don't give up hope.

My Will (Jack russell terrier, 20 months old) was diagnosed and had treatment started on Sept 21 so we are close to the same stage.  I warm all his food as warming enhances the smell and the flavour.  The itraconazole is an appetite suppressant so they just don't feel  hungry and in fact feel nauseous.  I too put one piece after another in Will's mouth and hold it closed.  He often spits it out then reconsiders and picks it up again.  Once he eats a piece or two he usually starts to eat several more on his own.  Our supermarket has lots of reduced meat that I can cook up for Will as he won't touch dry or canned food at all.  Chicken thighs aren't too costly, are rich and meaty and quick to cook.

[Pandomania]

Thanks for your response.  We will definetly keep checking back for that treatment.  Hopefully they respond soon as we have an appointment tomorrow afternoon with the optho doctor at MI State b/c of Pando's diminishing eye sight.  Luckily he is eating normal ever since we decreased his Itra from 2 doses of 100mg/day to one (that was done a week after diagnosis).  He has gained approx 15 pounds back.  Good luck with your dog!  What a horrible disease process this is.  5 days before Pando was diagnosed with it (It took approx 1 week from the initial vet visit), my parents had to put their dog down suddenly.  Their vet said it was lung cancer (but he only exhibited symptoms a short while) but he had blood in his abdomen.  I am now thinking that Fritz, my parents 8 y/o German Shepherd also had blasto but was misdiagnosed.

[evayola]

Have you talked to your vet about other med options such as fluconozole? Marge was switched to that from the itra because fluconozole is shown to attack eye involvement much better than itra. Maybe ask your vet about that? I posted on another one of your questions and Marge also has lung, eye, and bone involvement. She is doing really well right now and we are just happy that she is alive even though she has lost sight in one eye. I would love love love to hear this treatment that Luvmyjacks keeps talking about. I am happy to hear that Pando is eating and wanting to play. That is definitely a good sign.

[luvmyjacks]

I am sorry I was too late to get this info before your vet appt but my friend has been in meetings etc and crazy busy.  Check my new post with the vet contact info though as the prompts do say "if you are a vet with a non emergency...."  take advantage of it and ALWAYS get another opinion.  And good luck to everyone.

[Pandomania]

Well Pando had his follow-up today b/c of diminishing sight.  The vet did say that there is more retinal detachment on one eye.  Both eyes look better on the front of his eye.  Thanks for the tip on changing meds to fluconozole.  Our vet said that fluconozole does work better penetrating the eye but b/c Pando has inflammation in his eye the itra is getting through.  We also asked her about the injections that luvmyjacks brought up but she said that she won't do it (not sure if b/c it is too experimental or why).  We are increasing his prednisone in hopes to take down some inflammation.  Hopefully that this clears up!!!

evayola, how is the other eye for your dog?  Did it have any involvement?  Just curious b/c both of Pando's eyes are involved.

[evayola]

Marge's other eye is totally unaffected and we are very greatful for that. Marge was on an anti inflammatory for her eye as well as steroid and antibiotic and her eye looks beautiful even though there is no sight. I was confused about what you said about the fluconozole vs intra for Pando. I am definitely thinking of you guys! Keep us posted!

[Pandomania]

Sorry for the confusion.  From what I gather from Matt (my boyfriend who took Pando to his appointment, I had to work) was that fluconozole does work better penetrating the eye.  But in Pando's case, his eyes are both really inflammed, red, and swollen.  Because they are inflammed and red his eyes are getting good blood flow.  I may be wrong on this statement, but itra works better systemically (which Pando has eye, lung and skin involvment) which is why he was started on itra vs fluco.  I hope that is clearer