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[LoveMyJ.R.Quincy]

I was wondering how many people out there have been prescribed itraconazole(Sporanox) in the liquid form. My dog is a Jack Russell that weighs around 17 pounds. He had his first dose this evening(the hour before eating as told by the pharmacist) and luckily he's taking it well so far. He ate some of his dog food and yogurt and then later a peanut butter and cream cheese sandwich(trying to pack on that fat no doubt!) I just wondered how if many other dogs took the medication in this way and their side effects or symptoms during it. Hope this isn't just the calm before the storm. . . .

[apope43]

I can't speak to itraconazole, since we are on the fluconazole track.  But did want to say I'm glad he's eating, and Izzy and I will be thinking of you guys tonight.  The first night can get rough, be prepared for rapid breathing, discomfort, and occasional panting.  Take a look at this board to know what to look for as far as emergency signs -- blue gums/tongue, fainting, "goose-necking" and coughing, etc...with a little luck, he'll fall asleep with a full belly and wake up with a full belly and a cold wet nose!

[Sadie123]

We are also taking Fluco.  As mentioned earlier Sadie's urine test came back negative, but her respiratory symptoms got much worse several hours after starting the Fluco.  She had her first dose around noon that day and by 8pm or 9pm I started seeing enough change in her respirations that I took her to the emergency vet.  She stayed the night, and was a little better on Thursday.  We saw our regular vet and he told me her resp might get worse to the point that she might need some steriods - to watch her closely and let him know if she did get worse.   Friday evening she started getting really bad.  That's when I almost lost her.   I gave her prednisone at home as a last ditch effort. 

I was never told at the vet's on Wednesday (the day of tentative diagnosis and start of treatment) that the meds would make her worse.  (I didn't see my normal vet that day, he was off).  I was told to "start these meds, we'll send the urine off.  She'll be on the meds for at least 3 months.  Come back each month and pick up a refill.  If you have any problems, just call us".  Not until I saw my regular vet on Thursday did I even know she could die from Blasto.  The 1st vet told me that the fluco might not work, and if it didn't then we would have to switch. 

I know I've told my story a thousand times it seems, but I want you all to know I truely believe that the steriods saved her life that night.  Keep that in mind if you feel like your dog needs them, then don't hesitate.  Yes they do supress a dog's immune system, but we are talking short-acting steroids here.  It won't be supressed that long, and maybe not very much at all.  And also keep in mind that with steriods they get very thirsty, so give them as much water as they want.  They will retain some fluids and bloat up a bit - and that is also temporary.  Just keep in mind that the additional fluid retention can make breathing a little more difficult as well.  They feel like you do when you eat Thanksgiving dinner.  Just cut down on the sodium for a few days while they are on it. 

[apope43]

Izzy was on a very low dose of prednisone to start as well, and it does cut the inflammatory response, stimulate appetite and thirst, and give them some pep.  I want to temper that, though, by saying the steroids do counteract the anti-fungals and make them less effective.  Again - search the boards, weigh the pros and cons, and do what's right for your situation. Tomorrow when I have my laptop back up, I'll see if I can find the link to the article that lists the counteractions to prednisone - anti-fungals are at the top of the list.  Hang in there tonight, maybe he'll sleep right through...some do!

[apope43]

I bumped one of the discussions re: prednisone.  Here's a great resource as well:

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/meds/a601102.html

[Wilson3]

I know the self life is VERY short
wilson3

[LoveMyJ.R.Quincy]

What do you mean by self life?

[benniesmom]

I'm sure she meant shelf life........which would be how long it stays viable..so.. It's important that it is very fresh.... With your little guy you have to make the doses so much smaller than the capsules, which are 100 mg each...and spilling the beads out to get a small dose would be hard. there are people here that have had small dogs treated.  I don't know if they used liquid, but it is the same drug. I live very close to Canada here, and the vets in around here encourage using Canadian pharmacies to save $$$ I have been looking into it, and am going to do that! The savings are dramatic...and there is lenty of Blasto in Canada, so finding Itr is not a problem, just google Itraconazole Canadian Pharmacies.....there will be lots of them...

[Wilson3]

thanks barb... yes I did   I type REALLY bad
wills mom used it for awhile she had a jake russel (goes waaaay back 2007)
it is the same stuff but very short shelf life that is the reason if I remember why she did change to pills to long ago
wilson3