Brooke the Lab

[amy_in_mna]

Hi Group  
Just wanted to let you know that we have just about ruled blasto out for Brooke.  Her illness is in such a significant pattern (period of days between symptoms, duration of symptoms), chest xray very clear, 3 negative blasto tests that I have decided to stop the itra.
She has since had joint taps looking for immune mediated polyarthritis.
My vet has had some consults with a vet with the U of Minnesota and are feeling that Brooke is suffering from some immune mediated disease.  We will see.  
If you like, if we ever get a true diagnosis, I can share with the board... might help someone else down the road somewhere.
You have all been so helpful and encouraging.  It was wonderful to know "someone" was there and you are all much appreciated!  I am cheering for all of you and your sweet pets and hoping for nothing but awesome outcomes for all  
I am not ready to give up our Itraconazole yet... but if I get a diagnosis soon, is it something I can offer up here on the board to someone, or is that a no-no?
Blessings to all,
With love and thanks to you,
Amy in MN with Brookie the lab

[carolh]

Hi AMyu,

Glad it is not blasto but sorry you don't yet know what it is.   Yes, we would like you to share what diagnosis proves to be.  As you note, it may help someone else.
Carol

[mhitesman]

Oh, poor Brooke, you,  and your family as you plough your way through all searching for an answer.  Please keep us posted here.  And, yes, you can share your leftover meds; these are not controlled substances.  There will always be others in need of them.

Good luck to you an your girl.

[Vicky]

Hi...I had three family dogs come down with Blasto this past fall...it was heartbreaking...but they are all still with us.  We visit Georgian Bay, Ontario regularly every summer and this is the first time we have experienced this. We had heard that some dogs get it on the mainland, but we have an island which is pretty dry so thought we were ok.
Let me tell you, feeding my Ridgeback was difficult work...he was 96 lbs before diagnosis and went down to 80 lbs while at his most sick.  We fed him by mixing rice with real roasted chicken (I found the preroasted at the grocery store the kind they liked the best--go figure), backed the dog into a corner (it took two of us) and force fed down his throat.  Even though this was a fight each and every time, he started to feel better.  Three times a day, maybe 5 balls of food down his throat.  Soon all dogs started to like raw eggs, yogurt, chicken fat, little meatballs, chicken broth (low sodium or homemade).  The itra made them thirsty so that wasn't a problem.  Honestly though, the first two to three weeks were hell.
But we stuck to it...Our dogs are now 4 months on Sporanax (which is costing us roughly $850 a month), but they are young and we cannot give up.  Despite the fact that the vet said we could come off at 3 months, we are sticking it out for 6, getting a miravista test, and then deciding if they are clear enough to come off. 
A piece of advice from the pharmacist...this medication is better absorbed with fats...so I now give it with a teaspoon or tablespoon of butter.  And,  just in the last few weeks they are back to normal...playing playing playing...so don't give up... and expect it to be hard work.  But things will get better...I'll keep my fingers crossed for you.