Print

[mary.connell@att.net]

Hi- I have a 41/2 year old female mini-schnauzer, Belle, that contracted blasto 3 years ago.  We had never heard of it and almost lost her before we got a diagnosis and started on itraconazole.  She had to have her right eye removed.  She has had 2 relapses since the initial infection.  We have tried taking her off the itra several times after a full 9 months or more on the meds.  The first time she relapsed, I think it was because she had her immunizations and it stressed her immune system.  Most recently, we took her off the itraconazole on April 1st of 2010 and then about 2 weeks ago we noticed the telltale signs- lethargy, loss of appetite.  We started back on itra immediately.  In the past, she usually started to show improvement within 48 hours.  This time, she is having new symptoms; she is wobbly, unsteady on her feet, seems to be listing to one side or the other.  It is as if she has Parkinsons or is drunk.  Has anyone else seen this kind of symptom with blasto?  I am afraid it means it is in her brain now and I know that means a poor prognosis.  I switched from itraconazole to fluconazole yesterday because I read that it was better when the blasto gets into the central nervous system and/or brain. Belle has been through so much and I would hate to lose her after such a long battle.  This site has given excellent information and support- it really is such a roller coaster with blasto.  If anyone has any ideas, please let me know.

[evayola]

Hi Mary,

I am so sorry for Belle and everything she has been through. It is heartbreaking watching your best friend fight for their lives. Did you ever do the MiraVista antigen test? Sometimes the blasto is so bad that you need to be on meds for up to a year. My Marge was on meds for almost 2.5 years on and off. I would invest in the antigen test so you can get a good idea of how much blasto is really there. What we did was use that as a gauge to determine when we could take Marge off of the meds. What does your vet have to say about how Belle is acting? I know that when the central nervous system is involved it is much harder to fight. Hang in there Mary and give Belle a big old hug from us. Keep your head up!

Eva & Marge

[mary bc]

To Eva and Marge---Thank you so much for your encouragement!  This website has made such a difference in our battle with blastomycosis because of the excellent, current info and the moral support.  Belle is doing better; the CNS symptoms are almost gone.  I put her on fluconazole and am going to call my vet this morning to schedule a MiraVista antigen test.
Mary and Belle 

[Rudy]

Glad to hear Belle is doing better. We are hoping for the very best for you & Belle.  We admire both of you for your courage, strength and determination to have gone through this and have survived relapses too.  Keep up it up!  We'll be thinking of you!
Sheila & Paul

[evayola]

Hearing that Belles symptoms are almost gone made my day! I am cheering for you! Let us know what happens with the MiraVista test!

Eva

[carolh]

Hello Mary,

Here's something I discovered after Mika finished her medications.  Wal Mart sells fluconazol at vastly reduced cost.  I told our vet about this as he had three blasto dogs whose families could not afford medication.  Shouldn't happen!  This fluconazol is affordable.

Good luck with Belle.  I wholeheartedly concur with Eva re Mira Vista test.  Those numbers help you know when Belle can safely get off the meds.  (I got off too quickly at one point in Mika's one year battle and it came roaring back with a vengence.  Blasto is an opportunistic fungi and it certainly took advantage of my stopping medication too early!).

Carol

[mary bc]

Hi Carol-
Thanks for the tip about WalMart- any cost saving measures are desparately needed!  I am hoping to get the results of Belle's MiraVista test today, but it may not come until early next week. She is doing pretty well- I am so grateful that she feels better and for the support from others with experience dealing with blastomycosis.
Mary

[mary bc]

Belle's MiraVista results came in yesterday at 34.5.  She is still eating and drinking (with lots of encouragement), sleeps all day and thankfully,  doesn't exhibit any of the alarming neurological symptoms.  Does anyone think I should ask about using drops in her remaining eye to try to keep this latest flare-up from damaging her eyesight, or is the oral fluconazole covering that?
Mary

[evayola]

Hi Mary,

So far it sounds as though you have things under control which is great. I do highly recommend that you get drops in that eye asap. Marge literally went blind overnight and I always think to myself that we should have been more vigilant and given her drops right away. Luckily we didnt have to remove the eye and it is still intact and looks great. Especially since this is the remaining eye for Belle I would put drops in it. Stay strong and keep up the positive attitude, it means the world to our pets!

Eva

[mary bc]

Hi Eva-
What drops or ointments should I specifically ask for? Your help is REALLY appreciated! I will call my vet right now and see what she recommends.
Thanks,
Mary and Belle

[evayola]

Marge was on three drops... trusopt, prednisone, and an antifungal. Hopefully your vet will recommend the right one or ones. Give Belle a hug from us!

Eva & Marge

[carolh]

I definitely, definitely recommend the eye salve for her good eye.  Mika's blasto did not go to her one remaining good eye.  I'm not sure if the eye salve kept that from happening...but it gave me assurance and that was worth the rather pricey salve (It's about $90 for a month's worth).  I got it from Evergreen Pharmacy in New Jersey.  Watch out.  The price breaks are crazy there so get a price list.  The salve is a mixture of dmso and intraconazol. 

Mika, too, did not experience the loss of appetite or much slowing of her enormous energy.  Thanks to Mira Vista testing helping me know when she was done, it would have been hard to tell because she didn't show she was fighting this dreadful disease.

Good luck!
Carol

[mary bc]

Eva and Carol---thanks for the advice on the eye treatments. My vet is consulting with the U of M vet hospital about getting the itra drops or ointment for Belle. I hope to be able to order some tomorrow.
I am amazed by the amount of care and concern expressed in this forum.  Deb has offered to send me the unused fluconazole she bought for her beloved Winter.....to all of you, thank you!
Mary

[jefndebbacon]

Hi Mary,

How are you guys doing?  How is Belle?  Hope she is feeling better.

Thank you for your donation to Barney's Blessings in Care of the Mukwonago Food Pantry - that was so nice.  Our Winter is wagging her tail in Heaven for your in kind donation to help low income people keep their animals instead of having to surrender or abandon them in these difficult economic times!

It may take a while for the Food Pantry/Barney's Blessings to send a thank you.  I stopped there today to volunteer and it is quite an operation!  Lots of volunteers and lots to do!

Keep us posted on Belle.

Good thoughts and prayers coming your way!

Deb

[mary bc]

Hi Deb,
We just got back today from the family cabin in northern MN where I believe Belle was initially infected. I try to spread the word when I am there about blastomycosis; having a dog with only one eye is a great conversation starter! Belle seems to be improving; appetite is almost back to normal and she was ready to run and chase squirrels in the yard. Thanks for your amazing support and for the info connecting me to "Barney's Blessings."  Very good to read that both Rudy and Marley are showing signs of improvement also. YEAH!
Mary