[Sandy and Bo]

...about Blasto. It can be deadly. What I have learned about blastomycosis, something I never heard of before Duke got sick, as it's not common up here:

1. It affects limbs, and if left untreated can result in loss of limbs. (Duke started limping about 4 weeks ago. Vet thought it was arthritis) so he was put on an anti-flamatory

2: It can lead to blindness, if not treated soon enough. (now I'm worried about that)

3: It causes leisions on the skin, and can cause bone abnormalities. Dukes nose is very crooked right now, not sure if it will straighten out.

4: causes severe breathing problems (coughing, wheezing), that need to be treated agressively, or can lead to death

5: They get it from sniffing soil, and what Basset doesn't like to sniff soil?

Duke's liver levels are high now, but he has been on 4 different drugs for 4 weeks straight, so now I have to worry about that!

I wouldn't wish these last three weeks on anyone.
I am so frustrated at the 1st vet we saw (three times), yesterday Duke was practically dead. She thought it might be blasto, yet the antibiotic she perscribed has NOTHING to do with the treatment of Blasto, and then sent him home!
So glad we went back today and demanded he be tested for this, by a different vet. ALWAYS follow your instinct, and get a second opinion.
Hope this helps someone sometime, if not, at least I got to vent!

Sandy

 

[Sandy and Bo]

Forgot to mention one thing that turned out good for Duke. When they were drawing blood, they found two leisions on his belly. The vet squeezed one and it popped, and used the fluid to test, so they didn't have to do the fine needle aspiration (painful) in his lung. At least he had a little luck coming his way, if that's what you want to call it..

Sandy

 

[Sadeyes]

Thanks for that info Sandy, never heard of this before but have taken note so that if Toby ever develops any of these symptons, I know to get him to the vet ASAP. Amazing they get it from sniffing the ground. How do you stop a basset doing that????

Hope Duke responds well to the treatment and recovers as quickly as possible.

 

[murraysmom]

Thanks for posting this information.I hope Duke is on his way to a full recovery.

 

[biscuit]

Duke's story is incredible. I am so glad they've figured out what it is and have begun treating him.

 

[Betsy Iole]

A friend's dog had one of these pulmonary fungal infections. Dog ended up having part of its lung removed surgically.

 

[Guest]

Thanks for the valuable information. yvonne

 

[Guest]

w0w! What a whirlwind of fears. I haven't heard of this. Hope improvements continue and end this cycle for your houndie. Happy to be a slavs for Tummy Boy