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[Lolasmom]

We got back Lolas results today.  She is still positive in the moderate range. (We didn't get a specific number-my vets gonna call). He's refilling my Itra then were gonna consider Fluc for a while. 
We are starting her on monthly Heartguard and he is going to check into proceeding with a bi-weekly heartguard/doxycilline heartworm slow kill to start. 

Any suggestions? 

[Lolasmom]

Well, my vet just called. He spoke with Mira Vista this morning.  Her levels are still HIGH.  Just slightly within quanitification.  The last test was way above quantification.  So I GUESS she has made some progress?  I can hardly beleive this considering how well she has been acting and breathing.  She runs, plays, eats everything.....   AHHHH (that was a scream).....I just wish we could get past this.   Anyways, Mira Vista suggested that we go back on SPORNAX.  OUCH!!!!  So tomorrow I am off to the pharmacy with my credit cards.  My vet is going to send a letter to Janssen to see if they can help at all.  I thought that was really nice of him.  He said he is going to talk to them about how to deal with the heartworms too.   I will let you all know what comes of this.   Love always, Lisa.

Can anyone suggest a cheap place to get Spornax?  My vet thought $345.00 was a good price for roughly 20 days 

[Lolasmom]

Does anyone know what Spornax is going for in Canada?  Is it legal to buy it there from the USA?

[hippydog]

We've been getting from Canadadrug.com.  They need a rx from vet, and are easy to work with.  We get 75 100 mg. capsules for about $230.  The newsletter here has info on other options also.  I know what you mean about our dogs seeming better, then testing positive still.  We're in the same boat about 6 months into treatment.  But it's getting better.

[Sadie123]

Bless you both and your dogs.  Praying for better numbers, but glad they seem to be feeling well.  IMO, that says a lot more than the tests do.  Hang in there and don't give up......your dogs aren't giving up!

[Wilson3]

so glad to hear Lola is feeling better
it does take a very loooong time to treat blasto brand name or not t is all the same drug. Lola has responded very well so far and change to brand name will not speed recovery
any fungus/yeast infection takes a long time to treat . It get me so mad when vets push the brand name. the dr. at work told me that if a dr. is pushing it it is cause he most likely has stock in it.
If Lola was mine I wouldn't change meds. he sounds like she has been doing VERY well! She has a great mom!.
some dogs need treatment or a yr or more.
wilson3

[Lolasmom]

Wow...that's not too bad.  Geez...I'm glad to hear someone is going through the same thing.  I was really expecting a low positive.  You could have knocked me over with a feather when I read the email from Mira Vista.  All my vet could say was that it was hiding somewhere.  Its no wonder this disease is so good at killing.  Its so darn sneeky.
Are you in the USA?  Do you have any problems getting your meds from Canada?

[lilboogz79]

I went through that same "Oh my god" moment with Logan. Thought everything was going great and then his test came back higher than the previous. Thats when we switched him to the Sporanox, and despite my other posts of specific symptoms/flare ups, his numbers have been steadily dropping! I ordered from CanadaPharmacy.com and for 84 (100mg) capsules it was only $178. The first time you order you can pay like $20 for the shipping, but then then all refills ship for free! And their meds are coming from the UK. My cousin is a pharmacist and said that as long as the drugs are coming from the UK or Australia, anywhere like that, you shouldnt need to worry about the production of the product, but dont order anything from Mexico or China etc. I had a bit of a problem with
Canada Pharmacy initially because I ordered right before the holidays and there were lots of shipping issues and delays with customs, but now all that is cleared up so I'm sure you wont have a problem. Another company I ordered from (while waiting on those delays) was NorthwestPharmacy.com and their drugs also come from the UK and it was 90 (100mg) capsules for $189 but you pay $10 for shipping every time. Hope this helps and stay strong!! My motto through all this has been things have to get worse in order to get better! Logan and I will keep you in our thoughts and prayers!!!

[Lolasmom]

We started Lola back on generic Sporanax last night as Mira Vista had suggested.  They told my vet that not all compounding is equal. Compounded Itra is unstable and goes bad very quickly once exposed.  They told him there are compounders (Roadrunner and some other) who go through enough of the Itra that it is typically packaged and sold quickly enough to remain fairly stable.  But there is no guarantee.  I was using a local compounder and I am fairly sure he has been using the same batch of Itra from the beginning. Mira Vista suggested going back to Sporanax (or generic) until she at least gets down to a low moderate and then alternating. 

Blasto is pretty rare down here in the South and its not easy to find Sporanax or Itra here.  Pharmacies don't stock it because its so expensive and not requested enough.  The pharmacy my vet sent the prescription to had to order it and it didn't come in.  I had to call probably 20 pharmacies and finally found 10 doses at a Walgreens about 30 miles away.  I'm hoping that the first pharmacy will get in the original order before this is gone. 

I was talking with Barb (Benniesmom) yesterday and she told me that she had ordered Bennies Itra from Pharmacy RX World in Canada.  I pulled up their website and they do have great prices.  I faxed it over to my vets office yesterday.  My vet wasn't in but the other vet said they usually don't do that   I assume he means ordering from Canada or online.  But told me to talk to Dr. Walters in on Monday.  Any suggestions on how I might be able to convince my vet that it is safe to order from them?   

One of my other dogs has been having a little discharge from his eye for about a week now.  I think its probably just allergies or a scratch.  No fever, breathing problems, lesions, still eating like a horse.  I'm probably over reacting but I will probably take him in on Monday just to be sure.  So far in the last six months, at one point or another, I have wondered if my son had Blasto, my mom, me, my cat.  Blasto is always the first thing I jump to.  I think I have Blastophobia.  I don't even want to work in the yard.  I just look at the mulch like there is something evil in it and go back in the house.  So sad.  I fear my phobia might end up making my Hydrangeas the next Blasto victims.

[Lolasmom]

I just wanted to thank all of you for being so kind and supportive.  I don't know what we would have done without you.  I just don't know how anyone makes it through Blasto without this site.  I felt so terrible when I got back the email from Mira Vista.  As I was reading it I was getting light headed and a feather could have knocked me over.  Complete disbelief and dispair.  It is so comforting and assuring to know that we are not alone.  That others have gone through this too. 

Its very hard because like I said, Blasto isn't as common down here in the South as it is up North and (although I can't say enough about my vet for coming to the diagnosis or working with me and putting up with me) I honestly think much of the knowledge I have gained through this board has made it possible for me to make sure that Lola gets the treatment she needs.  I really love this little dog, she's my best friend.  And I do believe that Lolas' life has been saved by this board.  God bless you all.

[lilboogz79]

Again, good luck with whatever you decide to do with Lola's meds, but just remember that its ultimately your decision on what to do. I strongly believe that all of us Blasto moms and dads have a good 'gut feeling' about whats best for our 'kids'. It just bothers me that your vet is hesitant about ordering from Canada...if I hadnt taken that risk I dont know if Logan would be where he is today! Although the drug companies and vets swear up and down that generic and compounded, etc. are the exact same as the name brand, there are always small differences! Even if its in an inactive ingredient that shouldnt make a difference....it might! Again, I have proof of that. Good luck and lots of love to you and Lola!!

[Sadie123]

I really hope this gets easier for you.  I know it's got to be so very difficult.  Still wishing you and Lola the best healing.  Hang in there girl!!

[Lolasmom]

 I've printed up the license numbers and guarantee from a few of the Canada pharmacies.  Canada Drugs has a lot of accreditations (including the BBB) which I have printed up to along with posts from ya'll on this site and all over the web.  I think I should be able to convince him that there are safe companies out there.  But if not we'll just have to come up with the money.  Thank you all for all your help. 

[Lolasmom]

I guess that Dr. Legendre.  Dr. Walters said he knew him and was going to try to call him by Wed. explain to him the heartworm situation and ask him about the Sporanax.   The compounded has worked for us (there is no doubt about that, Lola is doing great).  Our problem is time.  We want to get through the Blasto and treat the heartworms.  Mira Vista told us that SPORANAX would get us there the quickest.  He is going to ask him about the brand vs generic.  Mira Vista said SPORANAX and I think he stuck on that.  Hopefully when he talks to Dr. Legendre he will specifically ask him about ordering from Canada or I can convince him that what they have in Canada is SPORANAX.  Wish me luck.

[Wilson3]

that so smart to print it up and give to the vet!
my vet felt the usa and Canada where the places to trust but as we all know to well no 2 agree on anything when it comes to blasto
there is sadly no fast recovery of blasto
I am wondering though what you ment buy the compounding working for you?
anyone not using 100mg of itra is using a compounded form of itra generic or brand name it only comes in 100 mg

have you tried any of the places others have or are using in canada
good luck and will be sending positive energy uyour way