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[crdixon]

my dog just diagnosed with blasto  is now blind in both eyes and has several bumps on back and one front leg is pretty swollen she is still eating and drinking well but is pretty tired she is about 9 years old pitbull vet just started her on traconazole twice a day has anyone had any luck with this medicine and is there anything else that might help her please pray for our madison our children are heartbroken

[Jen]

My heart breaks every time I see a new face show up here.

 I can't predict your dog's outcome, but I will say that we are still having a good result with Dirtbike. Note that she is only about 18 mos. old, and she did not have CNS, eye, or bone involvement and we caught her pretty early on, with only a few lesions and respiratory problems. She went downhill very quickly after starting treatment, and we spent a lot of time worrying, sleeping in shifts, and taking care of her around the clock. You can read about her progress in a couple of other threads here.

We have been treating her for almost 6 weeks, Itraconazole 1x per day.  The medicine will be very hard on your Madison. She will be weak and very sick, and if she can handle the treatment for the first few weeks, you can start worrying about the rest of the problems. Hopefully you can keep her eating and drinking - it's important to give the medicine with food, so that the digestive enzymes help get it into her bloodstream. The best way I found when DB wasn't eating was to give it with a couple tablespoons of butter - she loves butter, and they need the calories.

Google "Pet Health Pharmacies" in Arizona. The Itraconazole is much cheaper there, and just as effective. I'm sure your vet will get a scrip from them for you.

Be determined, be patient, and treasure each day with your girl. I will be thinking of you, because I've been there, and I know it hurts. Let us know what happens. Please feel free to email even if you just need to talk or vent.

jen2gone@cs.com

Hoping the best for you and your family-
jen

[jpwade]

crdixon,

I have lost 4 dogs to Blasto, the 3rd we had  the Vetenerian put him down, this was before newer and availability of medicines.(I regret to this day our decision).

Our last loss, Blanca made 3 weeks the longest of the bunch. If we had another pet tomorrow contract Blasto, I again would be willing to go through the trials and tribulations with trying to maintain their life.

It is not easy by any means. Blanca eventually hit a stage of muscle spasms and started minor seizures which also resulted in having the Vetenerian put him down also.


I will say treating or trying to keep a pet alive with Blastomycosis takes a very serious commitment. Once the growth hits escalated levels the pet becomes like an infant, it takes constant attention with strong hopes to try and maintain life. I have read of situations of pets living though not many.

If the appetite goes you will likely have to force feed and use a turkey baster to give water. I have used hamburger mixed with raw eggs rolled into hotdog shape.

To feed tilt the head up, drop into the mouth then press your fingers under the jaw, stroking downward to push food down the esophagus. This will not allow the pet to spit the food back out., Follow food with a couple of squirts of water.

For water we used 1 qt. water 1 tbsp. sugar 1 tsp. regular table salt mixture. We would give 1 cup of water on 1 hr or so intervals alternating fresh water and mixed solution each time. This was for our last friend Blanca, a 70lb yellow lab, that was down to about 60lbs at the time of death.

I noted in this blog that Jen used for dirtbike peanut butter and butter, there might be more within Jen’s posts relative to food types.

Protien rich foods I have been told are good, salt/sugar water will help with dehydration.


please post a record of your pet at the database @ www.czmartin.com/blasto , it would help to identify your area with potential problems of Blastomycosis.

jpwade