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[comebye]

After a trip to the newbie vet on Saturday that sent us home with a very sick dog, and a trip back to my regular vet today.
Cool had 3 treatments of ampho-b, his poop changed to a soft orange lump. His fever never broke. Last Tuesday he was switched to fluconazole, he seemed much better by Thursday. On Saturday his second lung x-ray showed a tiny bit of improvement, lung sounds were also improved, heart sounded good as did his rear pulses.

He has been anemic from day one, worse now on Saturday. He is weak and depressed, I have been force feeding him for 6 days now. Today he seemed weaker, gums pale. His fever broke today, 102.0. to my surprise. Vet did a PCV (pack cell volume), he is at 27, we both thought he would be way worse. I was ready to have a transfusion done. Doc said he is bleeding in his gut. WHY?? He didn't seem to have an answer for it. I asked if it could be from the fungal meds. The insert that came with Cool's fluconazole said it can cause anemia, my vet was not aware of it.

Doc put Cool on amoxi 2x/day. Also gave him a B12 shot.
I elected to take Cool off the fluconazole over the weekend, I was worried it would make him worse. Doc said I should put him back on it today, I haven't yet. I'm worried if it is making his gut bleed.

I just don't know what to do, he's so weak.

Janine and Cool

[paintubturner]

You HAVE TO get another vet if at all possible!  This is horrible news about your Cool.  I know you have been talking to a vet at the U of Wisconsin--can they offer any help or can you take him there ASAP?  You are both in my thoughts.       

[evayola]

My only suggestion would also be to get Cool to another vet asap. I would not be happy with being told to just go home when my dog is bleeding in the gut. I have learned through many horrible experiences that the doctors work for US and they need to give you an answer as to WHY!!!!!

[Kash-]

The fever break is good news.  Take what good news you can.

My humble advice is to check his renal and liver functions.  If they're working in bounds keep him on the antifungals.

Just remember, none of these drugs are going to be easy, what with your pup's body being stressed out with the fungus.  A healthy dog would roll easily with the side effects, being sick just compounds the issues.

[comebye]

Cool's fever is back today. He at least has some color in his gums. Liver values are okay, kidney is slightly elevated. He wagged his tail this morning, but he is still very depressed, hates being force fed. He is really dropping weight. His respiration is increased again, heart working overtime. A week ago he was so much better.
Janine

[evayola]

Janine,

What I learned with Marge was positivity was the best support I could give her. Marge was soooo depressed that it made us depressed. She hated being force fed as well. I think I hated it more. Marge wouldnt even wag her tail! Seeing her she was just a shell. It was so sad. The house was so somber. I spent a lot of time reading to her and cuddling with her and massaging her. I told her all the time how she had to beat this disease. Marge had a fever for the longest time. I would take her temp a few times a day hoping that it would break. We put her on deramaxx and it really helped. She stayed on that for a short period of time but it really did help. Have you seen another vet? Are you giving Cool fluconazole again? We gave Marge a break from her meds for a few days as well. It really did help. I will be thinking of you guys. Please stay positive!

Hugs and tons of slobber,

Eva & Marge

[Kash-]

A week ago he was so much better.
Janine

Don't take this as a sign of defeat.  If you read up on blasto, you'll find that often after the first week or so, the patient often seems to get worse.  This is often because of the inflammatory reaction to all the dieing blasto cells!  The yeast is dying off and it overloads the body's ability to flush out. 

I'm not making this up.  It's a common reaction.  Keep the support up work to get those few bites of food in.  demand a lap at the water bowl.  Cool wants to make you happy.  Let him know a few bites and some water will make you happy.

[Jen]

It's hard, but it's what we've seen before in most of our dogs - fat girl Dirtbike (now over 100 lbs) was down to about 45, couldn't lift her tail, her collar was too big, her nose dried up to a scab with fever.  But not now!
   Hang in, it can get better.
jen

[jiggasmom]

Jigga looked so sad and terrible after we  started his meds. He lost 20lbs and we had to force feed him. It was fall and the cool air seemed to feel good to him so we would let him lay outside and he looked so sad out there. We had to carry him up and down our stairs. We would have to hold him to pee. The first few weeks are the hardest. You have to stay strong and positive. I slept on the living room floor with him. I slept only when he slept. You guys will get through this just stay posotive.

[comebye]

Hi Everyone,

Thanks so much for your support and info. Tomorrow will be three weeks that Cool became sick. What has happened now since last Saturday; he is on amoxi, his fever Wednesday night was 103.8. I had spoken to the vet doing the clinical trial at Madison, she said to get him some Zubrin, last night I gave him some, his temp was down this morning to 102.7, hopefully it will go down more by tomorrow. He has lost a lot of weight, I continue force feeding him the cooked hamburger, the greasiness of it seems to go down easier. He does still drink water especially after I feed him. He has also been on fluconazole for a week after having had 3 treatments of ampho-b. He did wag his tail this morning. His breathing is still very rapid compared to last week. It seems to be more like the first week. Hoping the fungus is dying off. I also think by the way he has been acting that his eye sight is being affected. He is very responsive to my voice and wants to stay near me when we are outside. His pupils still contract so I know he can see something. He has a blood splotch on the lower white of his one eye. I bet my vet won't have a clue to the eye involvement. They tell people that blasto is contagious.
  Tomorrow he goes back to my regular vet. I refuse to let the new ones that work in his office see him anymore. Hoping his PCV is up or at least holding steady. I think with how he is breathing I'll ask for another x-ray of his lungs.
  Wednesday I have an appointment in Madison with the clinic trial vet. I'm still not certain that I will make the drive do to all the expense and they are very expensive to my surprise. At least tho they are very familiar with blasto.
  Knowing that his weight loss is more to the norm now helps me. Blasto is one horrible monster.

Janine & Cool

[carolh]

Hi Janine and Cool,
Glad you're getting such good support from this forum and have some resources for good vets.
IF Cool has blasto in eye, and IF Cool loses some or all of her sight, I can tell you from our experience with Mika, it doesn't seem to slow her down much.  She loves to run and sniff and seems to be doing okay overall (I am waiting for the she to fall because we are dealing with a terrible, unpredictable disease -- but so far, so good).
It was Wilson I think, who posted how to live happily with a blind dog.  Good advice there.  Mika can still see but if/when she can't, I'll be happy those good practices were posted.
In peace, Carol