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[BRANDO]

USED TO DIAGNOSE BLASTO IN MY DOG, BRANDO ALONG WITH THE AEROBE CULTURE.
1-866-MIRAVISTA
317-856-2681.
ASK YOUR VET OR IF THEIR NOT FAMILAR CALL THEM DIRECTLY...
SHARON AND CANINE PAL, BRANDO
2X BLASTO SURVIVOR

[BRANDO]

YOU CAN CONTACT ME AT SHASHALULU5@YAHOO.COM
WE LIVE IN WISCONSIN.

[sequinnw]

I noticed that your dog has had blasto twice.  Can you tell us more about that?  Was it a relapse or was he re-exposed?  There is an excellent post with great questions under another thread titled relapse.  Could you add to that to add to our knowledge base?  My Daisy is being treated for a relapse and I am sorry to say that we let it go so long because we were naive enough to believe she was cured after a 6-month course of treatment last year.

[Wilson3]

where about in wisconsin did brando get blasto?
(we live in wisconsin also)
how long before hit with blasto the 2nd time around?
where the symtoms the same or hit in a different way?
how long an treatment both times?
wilson3

i went and found you are from a very hot spot in wisconsin glad you have checked in again you could be lots of help to many
did you get the copy of the newsletter/
ican send it to you

[BRANDO]

Brando got Blasto from living in Eagle River (the chain of lakes) .  I spoke to the vets in ER and Minocqua at the Animal Hospital regarding this.  Since it's hard to isolate the spore I determined that it was from living on Yellow Birch (part of the ER chain).  Eagle River and Vilas County for that matter is a HOT SPOT for Blasto.  He first contracted Blasto in March, 2006.  The second time, July, 2007.  Brando's first symptoms in March, 2006 was heavy coughing....The vet in Eagle River knew right away but did a mouth swipe to determine it was Blasto.  He was hospitalized for a week in Minocqua because Blasto had gone into his lungs and was already budding.  He was lucky very lucky.....

Brando's second time and symptoms in July, 2007 were quite the opposite.   I noticed him limping on his front right paw.  A sore (postule) between his digits was evident.  He had a lesion also on the back side of his paw.  The Wisconsin Veterinary Referral Center was AWESOME!  www.wivrc.com did everything RIGHT...  A cytology report was done on his paw...  Marshfield Clinic Laboratories is located right in the same building so the test results don't get lost and are almost immediate.  Very reassuring and good to know.   His second diagnosis through the Aerobe Culture was "LIGHT BLASTOMYCES DERMATITIDIS.   

He was put on Intraconazole aka:  Sporanox 200 mg for 45 days.  We folllowed up with a new urine antigen test in August 2007, September 2007 and lastly in January 2008 and his number came back within range....    He did have a chest x-ray but sometimes they are not always show the whole picture as in this case since it didn't really affect his lungs. 

Blasto can affect organs, limbs, eyes, lungs...
It's imporants that clinics (clinicians must take care to include B. dermatitis in the diagnosis of any humans or animal with suggestive symptoms that have a HISTORY OF TRAVEL TO AN ENDEMIC AREA (like Vilas County) even if that individual is primarily homebound or in an urban area. 

WE ARE WAITING ON HIS LAB RESULTS.  BRANDO THIS TIME SEEMS OKAY... I NOTICED BUMPS ON HIS LEGS... SORT OF LIKE MOSQUITO BITES WITH SCABS...  THEN I NOTICED SORES BETWEEN HIS DIGITS.  THAT'S WHAT REALLY PUT UP THE RED FLAG  

As I was talking to the vet last night I asked him about Blasto and if it really leaves the body for good.  That's a good question.  I would hope that the medication has done it's job but tests aren't always 100% just like everything else in life.  There are no guarantees.    THE UW WISCONSIN VET SCHOOL HAS GREAT INFORMATION ABOUT BLASTO AND IT'S A WONDERFUL PLACE TO START. 

IF ANYONE NEEDS ANY HELP, QUESTIONS, DIRECTION I'D BE MORE THAN HAPPY TO DO MY BEST TO HELP OUT!!!  JUST EMAIL ME AT SHASHALULU5@YAHOO.COM    Brando and I currently live in Allenton which is 4 hours south of Eagle River and about one hour north of Milwaukee.  Blasto can be found anyone but the hotspot is Vilas County.  You won't find any information about this in the tourism (of course not)  If I had the money I'd put up a billboard all about Blastomycosis on Hwy 45 and Hwy 51/39 as people head north with their families including pets.  It's sad because the power of the media is strong....  We lost Emmit Klessig in January, he was only 16 yrs young to Blasto.  BLASTO IS IN EAGLE RIVER AND STAY AWAY FROM THE CHAIN O'LAKES INCLUDING THREE LAKES AND THE WISCONSIN RIVER TOO.  Stay away from beaver homes with your pets too....  I don't trust the soils. 

BRANDO IS MY LIFE AND I'D DO ANYTHING TO HELP HIM OUT....  I'M SAD TO HEAR WHEN  PEOPLE PUT PETS DOWN BECAUSE THEY CAN'T AFFORD THE TREATMENT...  I COULD NEVER DO THAT.  I'D SELL EVERYTHING I OWN TO KEEP MY CHILD (BRANDO) ALIVE AND HEALTHY!!! 

I HAVE MANY PHOTOS OF BRANDO ON MY FACEBOOK ACCOUNT UNDER SHARON HUBBARD.....  HE'S MY SWEETHEART.... JUST LIKE MARLEY AND ME OR MERLE'S DOOR.  

MY THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS GO OUT TO EVERYONE!!!! BRANDO SAYS, WOOF WOOF!

[Jen]

Hi-
You stated that Brando got a 45 day course the 2nd time around.
I was wondering if he was treated for only 45 days the 1st time as well.
Now you're looking at a possible 3rd go?
I really hope he doesn't have to do it yet again.
Eagle River does seem to be notorious for blasto cases.
Did they say why he was given such a short course of treatment?
(Cuz most here have had about 6 months treatment at a time, some much longer...)
just wondering-
jen

[BRANDO]

We did the urine antigen test and it came back okay.  The first time he had it he was on meds for 2 months....  I don't remember the reasoning why he was on it for only 45 days but I put my faith into the vet's decision and I was okay.  I am still waiting on his test results as of Wednesday noon...  If it is Blasto this time I'll ask about the duration of treatment.  That's always good to know. Then I worry about the damage it can cause to the liver.....  Like with all medications....  Today he seems be doing okay...  With the hot, humid weather all of our activity has been indoors so Brando is anxious to get out and play with his Kong. 
Thanks
Sharon and canine pal, Brando
ps.  I don't recall the vet ever mentioning a 6 month treatment or longer but I will ask this time....  Maybe that's why he got blasto again back in 2007....
In the back of my mind I'll always wonder but I can tell you this, what I know now HE WILL NEVER GO INTO THE WATERS NEAR EAGLE RIVER....WISCONSIN RIVER......  THAT'S FOR SURE AND I HOPE OTHERS READING THIS TAKE THAT SERIOUSLY.  I know of too many dogs that have contracted blasto but misdiagnosed one they headed back home from their vacation only to find out that it could have been blasto.

[Jen]

Yes, it might be a good idea to ask about the treatment length.
Our vet said that 6 months was the current SOC.
I was curious because most of the people who seem to have relapse problems are those whose dogs were treated for 45 days or less the 1st time around.
(Some as little as 3 weeks, which is almost unheard of.)

I don't think anyone here has had issues with liver damage or any other lasting effects from the meds even after more than 6 months.
But poor poor Gunner: she was infected for so long without being properly diagnosed, and now even after successful treatment, the blasto has caused renal failure. 
Can't afford to let the fungus around in their systems.
j

[BRANDO]

Thanks for sharing.  I forgot to mention that his second time on Blasto he was on two different medications so he was on medications for 3 months but not the 6 months as your vet would recommend. 

I happy to say that his urine test came back today, Wednesday evening at .4 which is good.  I'm convinced it's a bacterial infection.  If I notice any further that would tell me otherwise I be back to the vet. 

I AM TAKING HIM BACK UP TO EAGLE NEXT WEDNESDAY SO THE VETS THERE CAN LOOK AT HIM TOO JUST FOR PIECE OF MIND....  THEN I'LL ASK ABOUT THE 6 MONTH TREATMENT.  I'D LIKE TO KNOW THEIR ADVICE ON THAT......

I'LL KEEP GUNNER IN MY THOUGHTS,  RENAL DAMAGE SOUNDS NOT FAIR....  IS EYE (ORGAN) TRANSPLANTS AN OPTION FOR GUNNER??? 

SHARON

[BRANDO]

[color=yellow][/color][/b]BRANDO IS DOING WELL!  I'M TAKING HIM NORTH TO MINOCQUA, WISCONSIN (VILAS COUNTY) TO THE ANIMAL HOSPITAL THAT TREATED HIM TWICE NOW FOR BLASTO.  THEY ARE OUR 'ANGELS.'  HE GOES FOR A CHECKUP TO SEE HOW WELL HE IS DOING WITH HIS BACTERIAL INFECTION. 

THANK GOD FOR THE MIRAVISTA TEST!   
I'LL UPDATE IF NEWS CHANGES BUT SO FAR HE'S MY BRANDO! 
EDUCATION IS SO IMPORTANT.  THANK GOD FOR THE INTERNET..... DO YOU KNOW HOW MANY CANINE/HUMAN LIVES ARE BEING SAVED....  WE HAVE MANY MORE TO SAVE SO EDUCATION IS THE KEY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

SHARON

[Wilson3]

what wonderful news!!!
give brando a big hug from us and take care
thanks for keeping us posted
wilosn3

[Sydney]

Hi: I am new to this site and wanted to say hello from beautiful and infested with blasto Ontario Canada.  My dog Sydney a blue aussie, has had blasto since Nov 15.  We were on itra and I think she became resistent to that med.  Her pads swelled to the point of splitting open and therefore we have taken her off the intra and switched her to flucon.  She is to go back for xray's on Thursday and wondered if anyone thinks she should have the miravista test done instead of the xrays.  A bit of hx is that she has left lung invasion with a bit of mets to the right.  Right lung is now clear and only minimal left on the left but don't want to take her off until she is totally clear.  The disadvantage of us Canadians is that our meds are a crazy price.  I have spent about $12000 thus far and its only going to continue until my dog is better.  Any comments, imput, or suggestions would be appreciated.
Thanks, Kim

[Pandomania]

I am sorry to hear about your pup...we have an aussie also that has blasto.  He has been on medication since September (1st itra than switched to fluco because he has ocular involvement).  I had asked his optho vet about this test and he said (if I can remember precisely) that he didn't think we should do it because Pando is stll on medications and could give a false reading.  We did repeat chest x-ray which the docs said if they didn't know pando's history they would have thought that his chest x-rays were normal.  Hope this info helps.  But I think you will get different opinions from different sources, studies, docs, etc. 

[gunner]

Hi Kim,  Sad to see a new face, but really glad you found this site. 

If *I* were you, I wouldn't hesitate to have the test done.  One member on here was able to track her dog's progress of how effectively the medication was working.  If I would have known about it then, I would have been doing the same thing.  They can also test how much medication your dog is absorbing.  The medication won't change the blasto results.  If you have questions about the tests, you should call Mira Vista Labs yourself.  I talked to them and they were nice to deal with and a wealth of information.  Go to their website it is listed on the News Letter. 

The news letter also lists places where you can get you meds for way cheaper.  I got mine from Surry, British Columbia for about $90 a month for brand name Sporanox.  Just because they are less expensive doesn't mean that they are less effective either.  Many people on here have managed to successfully save their pets and didn't have to dissolve their retirement to do it. 

I wish you and Sydney all the best and hope she has a quick recovery.  On this site, there is no such thing as a dumb question so feel free to ask away.
Joyce

[luvmyjacks]

Hi there
I too am from Ontario and lost Roxanne last Sept.  My second Jack russell, Will has finally finished his itraconazole after 11 months of treatment.  He has been off for about five days and instead of my usual several hundred dollar payment for head scratching x rays I am opting for the urine test which my local vet charges at barely over cost.  They know I am over $!3,000 for the blasto treatments plus $4000+ for Sadie's broken leg so they are very good to me.  The last few x rays have been viewed with mixed reaction and I am afraid to continue itra in case the side effects catch up with Will.  There could easily be scar tissue instead of blasto so I think the Mira Vista test will be more conclusive.  I can easily do it once every month for a while and if there are no changes I will assume he is finally blasto free.  I am very curious about your location and if you want to talk e-mail me off the forum and I will call you.  My e-mail address is on my profile and while on here supporting all of the new dog victims these wonderful people have been sending me caring messages of support following the sudden death of my husband.  Thank you everyone.