Aspergillus in my Terrier

nic85

nic85

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Hi all,

My 9 yr old terrier has been ill for about 12-18 months, shes been back and for to the vets through that time and has been through bone marrow biopsy, numerous blood tests and massive doses of steroids.
She has an Auto Immune diesease and has been on steroids for this, her tablets were being reduced as she wasnt coping so well on a high dose but she started sneezing and her nose became crusty and sore. She was swabbed just before christmas and the vets rang me today with the results that she has Aspergillus.
My vet has said there are treatments but this infection is incredibly difficult to get rid of and as she needs the steroids it makes it alot harder. She did say we could do an endocopy under GA and put some medication straight into the 'cavity' (cant remember the exact terminology she used)
We know my dog is in discomfort as she doesnt like her face being touched, shes eating and drinking fine but im starting to think that as she obviously has pain in her face that the infection has already started to destroy her sinus cavities?!

Its looking likely that she will be put to sleep but I was just wondering/hoping that someone on here may have has successful treatment for aspergillus in an animal with a comprimised immune system?

Am gutted :(
 
RutlandH2O said:
Where does your dog sleep or spend a major portion of her time?
Click to expand...

She sleeps in the kitchen and has the run of the house when we are in. Shes been house/garden bound due to her auto immune diesease until we thought it was under control when she was allowed out for walks again so she came to the yard but her blood test a fortnight later showed her white blood cells were non exsistant again so shes bascially been house/garden bound again.
 
I was just wondering because Aspergillus can be found in mouldy hay and muck heaps. Do you find she always gets worse down at the yard? Perhaps being kept house/garden-bound is the best thing for her. Regarding the steroids, they, too, can negatively impact her immune system, especially if she has been on them long-term. I would think the procedure where the vet deposits the medication directly into the cavity should be the method of choice.
 
It is still possible to successfully treat Aspergillus but it will be more difficult. Even for a 'normal' dog who isn't on immune-suppressive doses of steroids I would always say endoscopy and topical application of anti-fungal drugs would be my first choice of treatment.

Depending on whether the infection affects just the nose, or whether the sinuses are involved, there are different options varying from a 'soak' where anti-fungal liquid is instilled into the nose and kept there for an hour or so under anaesthetic, to trephination of a little hole into the frontal sinus so that it can be packed with anti-fungal cream. With this treatment I'd say on average 65-70% of dogs we treat are cured first time...some need a second or third treatment and I guess your dog might be likely to need additional treatments because of the steroids etc...

Feel free to PM me if I can try to answer any questions :)
 
karen_c said:
It is still possible to successfully treat Aspergillus but it will be more difficult. Even for a 'normal' dog who isn't on immune-suppressive doses of steroids I would always say endoscopy and topical application of anti-fungal drugs would be my first choice of treatment.

Depending on whether the infection affects just the nose, or whether the sinuses are involved, there are different options varying from a 'soak' where anti-fungal liquid is instilled into the nose and kept there for an hour or so under anaesthetic, to trephination of a little hole into the frontal sinus so that it can be packed with anti-fungal cream. With this treatment I'd say on average 65-70% of dogs we treat are cured first time...some need a second or third treatment and I guess your dog might be likely to need additional treatments because of the steroids etc...

Feel free to PM me if I can try to answer any questions :)
Click to expand...

Thanks for the replies guys.
Yes this is exactly what the vet is getting me an estimate on costs for. She did say its worth a go but only one go as if this doesnt work then its likely that nothing will. There are probably more little details Ive missed out but I honestly cant think of them at the moment.

Again, Thanks for the replies, I will update as an when :)
 
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