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Our 5 yr old Shitzu is very ill and our vet thinks he has ...

Sent to Pet Experts July 29 2006 at 3:57 PM
   

Our 5 yr old Shitzu is very ill and our vet thinks he has either blastomycosis or lung cancer. He is taking Flagyl, Baytril, Aminophylline, Pepcid and Itraconazole. Is there anything else we can do? We are also running a vaporizer and he is eating some and drinking very well. Please help. You may email me at XXXXX@XXXXXX.XXX Thank you.

 

Optional Information:
Age: 5; Male; Breed: Shitzu

Already Tried:
Aminophylline, baytril, itraconazole, flagyl and pepcid. /p>

Customer (name blocked for privacy)
Status:  Closed   Value: $8
Answer
July 30 2006 at 7:54 AM (15 hours and 56 minutes and 43 seconds later)
         
REPLIEDCheck Mark

I would seriously consider having a tracheal wash or lung biopsy performed so that you know exactly what you and your boy are fighting. The dog with blasto is usually running a very high fever of over 104.

Here are some sites of interest:

Blastomycosis

Tracheal Wash/Lung Aspirate

It sounds like you are doing everything you can for your boy. Treatment can and should last 2 or more months if it is indeed blasto. Intraconazole is the first line treatment for this fungal infection. Keep an eye on that liver with the combination of 2 antifungals. Make sure he continues to eat and keep him as comfortable as possible. A week after starting medications a repeat xray should be performed to look for any changes. I would consider taking on every week or at least every other week to look for improvements. Keep that baby eating and if he stops eating for 24 hours he needs to be started on IV fluids and have his liver enzymes evaluated.

Please let me know if I can be of further assistance.

Theresa



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Theresa -- The Voice for Your Pet -- 100% Positive Feedback on 992 Pet Accepts
Veterinary Technician for 15 years
Reply
July 30 2006 at 1:04 PM (5 hours and 10 minutes and 8 seconds later)
         
Reply to Theresa's Post: Thank you very much. My hope is that we can keep him alive long enough for the Itraconazole to kick in. This started back the second week of June and he developed pancreatitis from the Itraconazole so they took him off of it and started the flagyl, baytril and they had me give him subcutaneous IV fluids, puppy formula and oral electrolyte replacement. He was better for about a week even was playful then he developed diarrhea, decreased appetite,increased respirations and became very weak again. So we returned to the vet and he restarted the Itraconazole. We have given 4 doses so far. He is taking about 7mg/kg bid. When do you think we would see an improvement if this is indeed blastomycosis?
Customer (name blocked for privacy)
Answer
July 30 2006 at 1:13 PM (8 minutes and 55 seconds later)
         
REPLIEDCheck Mark

Is your dog running a fever?

If you are not seeing improvements by the second week of August I would start being seriously concerned. The medication protocol his is on is ample. A tracheal wash or lung aspirate may point you in a much better direction. If he develops severe diarrhea again from the intraconazole try ketoconazole another antifungal.

Good Luck

Theresa



If I was helpful please hit ACCEPT if you need more help just let me know.
In the case of an emergency please contact your veterinarian or emergency center.
Feedback is appreciated!
1 Other Expert Agrees with this!
Theresa -- The Voice for Your Pet -- 100% Positive Feedback on 992 Pet Accepts
Veterinary Technician for 15 years
Reply
July 30 2006 at 1:19 PM (6 minutes and 28 seconds later)
         
Reply to Theresa's Post: HIs temp at the vet's office yesterday was 102 something. I know it is different for dogs but I do not know what a normal temp for them is. He ran a fever when this all first began and does feel feverish at times.
Customer (name blocked for privacy)
Answer
July 30 2006 at 1:26 PM (6 minutes and 44 seconds later)
         
REPLIEDCheck Mark

up to 102.5 can be considered normal. I was just curious as to how he was currently feeling. Make sure the feeling keep rolling in. Canned food, since he had pancreatitis before stick with sensitive diets and add water or low sodium chicken broth to it. Also you can give him boiled chicken and rice when he turns his nose up to everything else. It might be a good idea for you to have a thermometer just for him so that you know when his temperature jumps.

Please keep us all posted I would like to know his progress. You are doing the best you can right now. Keep up the good work.

Thank you

Theresa



If I was helpful please hit ACCEPT if you need more help just let me know.
In the case of an emergency please contact your veterinarian or emergency center.
Feedback is appreciated!
Theresa -- The Voice for Your Pet -- 100% Positive Feedback on 992 Pet Accepts
Veterinary Technician for 15 years
Reply
July 30 2006 at 1:34 PM (7 minutes and 48 seconds later)
         
Reply to Theresa's Post: I have been giving him boiled chicken because it is his favorite. Also I have been giving him some bland baby food in small amounts. I will try the chicken broth. Thank you very much for the help. It is really nice to be able to talk to someone and to know that we are doing everything for him that we can. This little guy has been our baby for a long time. He is well loved and cared for in our home. We have 3 college age sons who adore him as well. Again, Thank you and I will let you know his progress.
Customer (name blocked for privacy)
Answer
July 30 2006 at 1:51 PM (17 minutes and 17 seconds later)
         
ACCEPTEDCheck Mark

Your welcome and we are always here if you need more help.

Good Luck

Theresa



If I was helpful please hit ACCEPT if you need more help just let me know.
In the case of an emergency please contact your veterinarian or emergency center.
Feedback is appreciated!
Theresa -- The Voice for Your Pet -- 100% Positive Feedback on 992 Pet Accepts
Veterinary Technician for 15 years
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