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[Lolasmom]

Thank goodness your on the meds!!   It can never hurt.  Sneezing, coughing, itching.........yes!!!   It was Lolas CBC which keyed us in and made us start the antifungals too.
Dr. Legendre is WONDERFUL.  There is NO ONE in the world who knows more about Blasto than him.  He consults with medical and vet doctors.  He is just awesome and such a nice man.

I think I mentioned. Lola didn't register positive until her third test.   I have a theory that they wont register positive unless they have shown some sort of fever. But that is just my own personal theory and I have no research to back it up in any way.   

I HOPE AND PRAY ITS NOT BLASTO.   I will be sending up HUGE PRAYERS TONIGHT. 

I'm so sorry about Timber.  I think one of the worst things about Blasto is that it just never leaves you.  Whether your dog dies or gets better, the Blasto stays.  Its always there on your mind, then one day you realize this awful disease is and is always going to be a part of your life.

Please give Brees a big hug and kiss. 
PS:  I will look you up on Facebook.   

[Lolasmom]

How is Brees doing?

[Sadie123]

May I throw my 2 cents in here for just a minute?  I was reading your posts and was thinking in my mind over and over, what else would cause the itching if it's not allergies?  Then I  thought.....secondary yeast infection due to the antibiotics?  We women get them quite often when we take antibiotics, but it's more common in dogs to get the yeast infections in their ears.  So with that thought, I realized something......Blasto is a fungus which turns into a yeast.  Duh!  Your gut is telling you it's blasto and you have every reason to feel that way.  Not saying it's caused by the antibiotics.  It could be blasto.

Have your tried benadryl?  Just a thought.  The dose is 1 mg per pound (and you can't really overdose very easily).  Benadryl can be given with many other meds so it shouldn't hurt. 

I'm not the blasto expert that Lisa is, but I've been following the board for over a yr now.   We started here when my dog, Sadie got sick and quickly found out it was cancer instead. 

Good luck!!

[englishsetter]

He does have a yeast infection in both ears, but that started when the sneezing and coughing started, so Brees began the ear meds with the Baytril.  His left ear is now better, but the right ear is still mending.

I have tried antihistamines for Brees (and Timber), but it has not made a difference.  Brees' eosinophils on his bloodwork were not elevated so that tell us that there is not an allergy problem. 

Brees sneezed once this morning and I did not hear him sneeze yesterday, but I was not around the whole day and I asked my husband and son to keep track while I was gone for a few hours.  Brees seems to be fine and not really affected by the fluconazole.  I have kept him pretty quiet.  I don't know if there is a difference with a reaction to the fluconazole like the Itraconazole, but he does not seem to be getting worse, he seems to be improving so far.  He is on his third day of the fluconazole and I'm watching him closely. 

Dr. Howard will be consulting with Dr. Sharpe (internist) today so I will be interested in what he has to say.  As long as Brees continues to be okay, I will keep him on the fluconazole for two weeks as recommended and repeat the Mira Vista test and also have another set of chest x-rays performed in order to check on those nodules they saw in his lungs.  Brees temp is still normal, but, then again, Timber's was normal, too, except once when it was slightly elevated. 

Yes, Blasto has taken over my life.  I cannot think of anything else and I believe it will never go away.  My sleeping has been horrific and Tylenol PM has been my friend, but I know I cannot continue like this.

I will keep you updated on Brees and how he is doing.  Thank you so much! 

[Lolasmom]

I really don't know about the reaction to the Fluconazole.  I would think it would be the same as the Itra because it a reaction to inflammation caused by the meds.  Lolas Blasto didn't start in her lungs, it started either in her nose & throat or her lymph. It was a good 2 months before it got to her lungs.  Unfortunately, by the time we started the meds her lungs were filled.   I don't know how bad the reaction would be if lungs were not involved.  COULD BE you have just caught it very early.  I hope its not Blasto.  I guess only time will tell.  Lola was the same way with the fever.  She never got it until quite a bit after we started treatment.  It was mild and didn't last long.  I understand that is unusual. IDK. 

Im saying prayers for Brees. 

[englishsetter]

Brees is still doing well and does not seem to be affected by the fluconazole.  He is eating well and drinking and is still energetic.  I have made an appt. with Dr. Howard on February 13th for another Mira Vista test and I would also like a repeat chest x-ray because I want to see if the three nodules in his lungs have grown.  Dr. Howard will keep Dr. Legendre up to date on Brees.  Brees has only sneezed about once a day since beginning the fluc. and I heard him cough once this past Tuesday.  If the Mira Vista is again negative, they have recommended anesthetizing him and doing a scope through his nose and a swab.  He continues for two more weeks on the Baytril.

[Lolasmom]

HUH!   I HOPE its not Blasto but if it is I bet youve caught it very early.  I scope and swab should be conclusive. Keep us up to date.  Give Brees a big hug.

[Chico]

Hi everyone.....speaking of power companies and their mulch, last fall our hydro co. came thru and did tree and brush clearing under their lines with about a 40 foot wide path. With all the equipment they used all the ground was upturned. Some areas went thru swamps. Some areas had the water come to the surface and ''create'' swampyness and some areas were just dry but all kinds of rotting wood has been upturned. Lots of it was mulched and given to anyone who wanted it with the rest just left in piles. This town has approx. 500 people and we have lost a few dogs and a person from Blasto. I read the spores come from the white mold and it releases in the fall. I did hear, and will look into it soon, other people got sick with it but were treated and are ok. Could the hydro line clearing could be the culprit ?  I will send the company's health and safety a note regarding this sneaky little %^%$^& . Perhaps their workers need to be protected or their timing for doing this in the fall could be changed. I am not saying they are at fault in any way but just want them to know this is something they should look into if they haven't.
In the meantime lets all send our support to the doctor in Arizona that's working on a vaccine.   Good luck to all .

[lisakuhlmann]

WOW Chico! I believe you've added a little more validation to my concerns. Please keep us informed. Thank you very much for the info. I think this may be a job for Erin Brokovich!