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[englishsetter]

On Tuesday, January 3, 2012, my husband and I had to put our beloved Timberdoodle to sleep.  It took some time, but Timber was diagnosed with Blastomycosis in the beginning of December 2011.  He had atypical symptoms and it took more than a month to diagnose.  We began the itraconazole and, as expected, he became worse, but then he improved.  Having chose the itraconazole over the name brand Sporanox because of the cost, the IM vet recommended fluconazole after the first two weeks of Itraconazole was used up, so we changed Timber's meds just before Christmas.  The IM specialist recommened the Sporanox, but the cost was sky high and our pharmacist had told us that itraconazole had the same effect.  Also, his left eye did not look good and fluconazole was recommended for eye involvement. 
He regained energy, wanted to go outside and play a bit and accompanied me on short walks and we all felt he was out of the woods.  This past Sunday I noticed he was lethargic again.  By Monday, I knew something was terribly wrong.  He would not eat, nor drink.  When getting him off the bed to go to the vet, he fell over and could not stand.  My dad and I got him to the vet, only to have him try to stand again and fall over.  It was certainly something neurologic.  Blood tests were normal.  X-rays showed the lung nodule had shrunk, but my baby was very sick.  Our vet here called the IM vet in Grand Rapids, who is the vet that diagnosed Timber, and he recommended doing a bile acid test to rule out liver failure.  I left Timber at the vet's office to be hospitalized overnight and IV fluids to be given to him and the bile acid test run.  In the morning, I called to check on Timber and his condition had worsened.  He could not stand, his legs were rigid and he was drooling profusely.  When my husband and I arrived to visit Timber, his respirations were heavy and we could see he was suffering.  Our vet had called the neurologist and he felt that the Blasto had gone to Timber's brain and the prognosis was poor.  I could tell he was in pain and my husband and I made the decision to let him go.  Timber was 2.5 years old, extremely energetic and the most wonderful dog.  I am shocked and cannot comprehend why or how this happened to him.  He hunted with my husband and he also liked to bury things in our yard, but we don't know exactly where he inhaled the spores.  I am truly devastated and am seeking support for he was my best friend and is no longer here to be with me.  What did I do wrong?  I feel as though I didn't do enough for him.  I really educated myself about Blasto.  It is felt that the Blasto had been in his system and possibly already in the CNS and the meds helped him feel better for a while and then he just crashed.  He was in no position to go in the car and travel four hours out of our rural area to the city for multiple tests to rule out CNS involvement.  I am just shocked and so sad.

[lisakuhlmann]

Don't blame yourself. There's nothing you could have done to prevent this, short of keeping Timber in a bubble. Please don't be one of those people that shuns another pet because of your pain. You know darn well the healing power of these animals. So many dogs need rescued, don't miss a chance to save one, he or she will save you back. Sorry if I sound callous, rescue is my passion, currently 5.  I know all too well the heartbreak they can cause, but I will not let it outweigh the joy that they give. Eventually the tears will stop, but the memories never will.
     My Jake has been just fine on Itra and is improving daily. DO NOT fault yourself because you didn't blow money for the Sporonox. You've come to the right site to learn. Too many folks on this site have disappeared after the loss of their baby. We need more advocates to create public awareness, or there will never be a vaccine.

     Jake was diagnosed in November and has a long way to go. He is on Itra, Prednisone, and a raw meat diet after reading a very convincing article.

     Let something good come out of your loss. Pick yourself up sweetie, turn your grief forward

[englishsetter]

Thank you for your support.  I am such a dog lover that I will always have a dog in my life.  It's a strange event, but just before we found out Timber's diagnosis of Blasto, the Michigan English Setter Rescue contaced up about another English Setter that needed a home and that they thought would fit nicely into our family.  We did adopt Brees and he's been with us not since just before Thanksgiving.  He has been a comfort to all of us at this time.  I believe he was meant to come into our lives.

I am very interested in this awful disease and I plan on finding out as much as I can and letting people know.  I have already posted Timber's story on Facebook to my friends letting them know about Blasto and to please research this for their benefit and the benefit of their pets. 

I, too, have researched raw food diets and I am highly interested in these diets.  I cook for my dogs and will continue to do so. 

The question I have is:  Should I have Brees tested for this, too?  I do not know how long Timber had the Blasto, but I know it took over a month for him to be diagnosed.  We live on a lake and Timber was always in the woods each day as I walked him 3 miles a day.  My husband also took him hunting where it was swampy in areas and he was in the upper peninsula of Michigan, which is where Blasto is seen the most in Michigan.  I don't know where he got it.  It could have been any one of these places.

I am so glad your dog is doing better and I will continue to pray for Jake's full recovery. 

I hope Timber's death will help the vets understand more about Blasto and to test for it sooner before later.  Thank you.

[lisakuhlmann]

One thing I've learned is that no 2 cases are the same. The testing is expensive, know your Bree well and just be aware of ANY changes. Go over him like a thorough tick check, listen to his breathing, etc. I've read here that it may even start with a limp.  I'm not letting Jake out for any duration or distance until we have rain or snow. It is so dry here right now, spores are more apt to go airborn I believe. We suspect that's why we have seen such a dramatic increase in cases recently. Besides that, the cold air can't be good on his lungs.
     I would like to know if there are different strains of Blasto. Is  the degree of infection proportionate to different strains? Does one strain attack lungs, one strain attack the nervous system, etc. ? Since it is so much more prevalent up north, is it a stronger Blasto? My forest has morels and lots of other fungi. Is the Blasto fungus microscopic? Soooo many unanswered questions. Does anyone have the answers?
     I'm so glad to hear that you have another dog to love. God knows we can't replace the ones we've lost, but there is always room in our hearts for another. I was up to 8 dogs, 2 cats, 2 parrots and 1 jackass (but I kicked him out). Now down to 2 yellow labs, 1 black lab, 1 german short hair, and 1 chow/collie mix.  Like my Mom says "big heart, no brain"    : )
     

[annie]

I'm so sorry for your loss. My dog recently was diagnosed and is on itraconazole and prednisone. I thought Sporanox was itraconazole? My dog has been doing great, but I have no clue how long he's had it and I'm so worried after reading about Timber that I should not feel lucky just yet. My vet doesn't think it went to the brian but no one is ever 100%. Once it hits the brain, the outlook is not good.

Can anyone clarify about the difference in itraconazole and sporanox??
Thank you.

[lisakuhlmann]

Itraconazole is just the generic Sporonox. You've come to the right site for info and prayers. We know what you're going thru and feel your pain. Read all you can here, knowledge is essential! Big hug and hope and prayers for you!

[englishsetter]

I am taking Brees to the vet today to have the Mira Vista test.  I noticed a sore on his lower lip and now knowing that Blasto can come in the form of sores, I am not taking any chances.  He also coughed this morning, so now I'm paranoid.  I can't answer your questions, Lisa.  This is so frustrating because everybody wants to save their pets, but Blasto makes it very difficult.  I feel if Brees has Blasto, too, then the spores are in our yard most likely.  We had a huge morel mushroom grow in our garden area this year, and Timber was always digging in the dirt and burying things.  I'm pretty sure this is probably how he picked it up because I tried and tried to keep him from digging, but it never worked.  My dad even built him a sandbox to dig in, but he got to the bottom too quickly and became bored. 

The internal medicine vet that I took Timber to in Grand Rapids sent me a scientific study of Sporanox versus Itraconazole and how the recommendation is the name brand Sporanox.  The Itraconazole that Timber was on were the capsules with the beads and he really improved.  It was recommended, though, that the fluconazole works better than the Itraconazole (generic of Sporanox), so that is why I changed him to the fluconazole once he finished the two weeks' worth of Itraconazole.  I'm not sure if I made the correct decision or not to change him, but if the Blasto was already in his CNS, then the fluconazole was the best med.  I was always worried about his eye, and the fluconazole is recommended for eye problems.  I will try and attach the study on the Sporanox versus Itraconazole for all to view. 

I wish I could keep Brees inside, but he is energetic and needs to be outside and running.  He does not seem to be lethargic in any way, nor is he having any gait/limping problems.  Unfortunately, we are having a mild January here and it's been in the 40s and 50s and we are finally expecting snow today/tomorrow.  Brees falls right into the young, intact, male, pointing/hunting dog.  I pray he does not have Blasto, but I will keep all updated on what I find out.

[lisakuhlmann]

I got the article about Sporonox vs generic from the Norwest Animal Hospital in Canada (found them on this site) Dr. Dan and Marie are so great, they see about 60 cases a year (my vet - 10 in 33 yrs).  They encouraged the use of Prednisone when others wouldn't. I believe it was the Prednisone that gave Jake the appetite and strength to fight.  They are firm believers in the Sporonox. However, the article was old and probably written by stockholders. The generic worked just fine for Jake. I wish the discrepancy would cease, as I believe too many choose to euthanize due to the expense of the Sporonox.
     As far as keeping Brees inside...wait for snow or rain before letting him out? It would make sense that spores cannot come out of the ground as easy if it's wet. Keep away from wetlands and decaying wood, which could include MULCH. I'm no expert, but it would just makes sense.
     Keep reading the threads posted on this site. They taught me so much my vet says I know more than he does.
     Please let me know what Brees results were. Hugs, hope and prayers!
 

[Lolasmom]

In my experience Generic Spornax and brand name are the same.  You just want to make sure its in the beaded form and not the powdered form.  Good luck and I will be praying.

[englishsetter]

Brees' Blasto results came back yesterday and it was negative, which is wonderful news.  He is outside and we have received some snow finally here.  Yes, I read about mulch.  I had a huge dump truck full of mulch brought in this summer and laid it all around our house as we have a lot of garden areas.  Timber was outside with me most of that time and also dug and burried things in the mulch/soil.  The more I think about it, I believe this could be where he got it.  We also live on a lake and our home is near a marshy area with reeds, etc. 

I still don't know whether he could have been saved and I can't get over the guilt.  At the time, it was quite apparent he was suffering and could not eat, drink.  When they tried to move him to a room, he cried, which told me he was in pain.  I'm still waking up at night and I feel that I caused this to happen.  I really do not think quite a lot about myself these days when it comes to Timber, but I have made it my mission to learn as much about Blasto as I can and try and educate others.

[lisakuhlmann]

Thank God, that's great news! I've been praying for Brees and waiting for you to come back and tell us the results. What a relief!!! Given your location... the Blasto could be anywhere or everywhere. You've got to get over the guilt, Sweetie! It sounds like Timber had the worst form of Blasto from the symptoms you described. Some dogs just don't have the immune system to fight. Why did only 1 of my 5 get it? If your Timber had died without any intervention then I would say shame on you and you deserve the guilt. But that's not the case, and you're still here on this site learning. I know what expense and heartache you've suffered. You can't fault yourself for not  knowing what ALL vets don't know. No vet will tell you an absolute prognosis. There are just too many unknowns with Blasto.  Keep watching Brees, Blasto has a incubation period. 100 days from now it could infest enough to finally test positive. Keep reading here!!!!!!!! My vet says I know more than he does, and I belive I have Lola's Mom and others to thank for that.  Just out of curiosity, did you get the mulch from a company that trims trees for the power company?   

[englishsetter]

Thank you for your kind words.  I'm having a difficult time grieving because I have young children who are not as upset as I am about this and I have to go on with everyday life and I find it somewhat impossible. 

I got to the mulch from a local landscaping company.  I have no idea where they got it from.  I will call and find out, though.  Please explain the "power company" aspect about the mulch.  I am surprised that I did not get Blasto considering I laid most of the mulch myself.  It took me two days to do it.  I never even thought of wearing a mask when I've been gardening.

I will continue to watch Brees.  At least now I know what signs to look for.  I will continue to visit this site and educate myself better.  I have figured out these days you have to be your own advocate for yourself as well as your pets. 

[lisakuhlmann]

I got the local tree trimmers to dump a load at my place. It wasn't from any landscaper and wasn't treated. I noticed a green powder like mold on it, it was definitely composting when they dropped it. After spreading it all day I became very sick with a 103 fever, body aches and flu-like symptoms. 2 days later I went to a Pulmonologist who immediately scolded me for waiting so long and started me on antibiotics for what he called "farmers lung". Wearing a mask would not have help. I don't know where the Blasto came from and never will, the odds are you won't either so quit beating yourself up about it.  Blasto cannot beat a good immune system. Jake must have had the weakest. Lock yourself in your room or go outside after the kids are asleep and scream and cry till you feel silly   Call me at 309-826-5472 if you'd like to talk!

[Lolasmom]

Omg......thats exactly what the mulch in my front yard had on it. 

[Lolasmom]

Actually, Itraconazole is the bulk drug used to make both Spornax and the generics.  You want to make sure whatever you are using is beaded a.d not powered which is the form raw Itraconazole comes in. Itra in the powdered form is cheap (and for a few it has woked) but for many it doesnt.  The reason is because raw powdered Itra is not water soluable and cannot be absorbed.  The beading is not to make it time released but to make it absorbable.  Even still, it is recommended that the meds are given with a fat for better bio availability.  Butter or buttermilk (botb a fat and an acid) are both great.