Does anyone have any experience with aspergillosis? - Page 2

I'll say a little prayer for them Jim.

Here's what I got from my friend this morning regarding her GSD.  I forwarded Hodie's information to her.

Thanks for asking around and what that lady was saying is somewhat what the
eye specialist says - she of course wants me to keep doing tests on Harley -
Harley doesn't have the localised Aspergillus she has the systemic infection
that has entered into her lungs and has gone into her blood system - which
is the disseminate infection - and that is what I keep saying the the vet -
this infection has taken both of her eyes within 2 weeks - now poor Harley
is breathing very heavy and just is existing at this point - I asked if she
was in pain - they are telling me to give her time but actally it is fatal -
It depends what the infection attacks next.

Thanks - I know what I have to do but it is so hard!! But it really is not
fair for her - I'm just not sure if she is hurting but why make her suffer
... what would you do at this point?

I can't believe this has happened to her - the vet said that she has
probably had this in her system for sometime - but it comes to surface
before 3 years old and she would be 3 on April 12.

Thanks again for the information! 

 I appreciate the help from everyone,

Jim

Here's what I got from my friend this morning regarding her GSD.  I forwarded Hodie's information to her.

Thanks for asking around and what that lady was saying is somewhat what the
eye specialist says - she of course wants me to keep doing tests on Harley -
Harley doesn't have the localised Aspergillus she has the systemic infection
that has entered into her lungs and has gone into her blood system - which
is the disseminate infection - and that is what I keep saying the the vet -
this infection has taken both of her eyes within 2 weeks - now poor Harley
is breathing very heavy and just is existing at this point - I asked if she
was in pain - they are telling me to give her time but actally it is fatal -
It depends what the infection attacks next.

Thanks - I know what I have to do but it is so hard!! But it really is not
fair for her - I'm just not sure if she is hurting but why make her suffer
... what would you do at this point?

I can't believe this has happened to her - the vet said that she has
probably had this in her system for sometime - but it comes to surface
before 3 years old and she would be 3 on April 12.

Thanks again for the information! 

 I appreciate the help from everyone,

Jim

That's just awful for your friend and their dog!  My heart goes out to them both. 


I do have a question though, are dogs more likely to get this because of tracking in certain places? 

Beetree,
I don't know that much about it.  I think the fungi is ubiquitous, but I don't think it is a concern for most healthy GSD's.  It is a rare disease.

Jim

 Jim,

As difficult as it will be for your friend, she should put the dog down to spare the dog any further discomfort. We cannot know how the dog really feels, but if it is having difficulty breathing, I would bet the dog really does not feel well. This is not even counting the discomfort she might have from the recent surgery. If it is systemic infection (and in her blood, meaning they have cultured or seen the fungi there), there is a high likelihood she already has colonies of the fungus elsewhere. It is only a matter of time and the dog would be clearly suffering. As painful as it would be for me to have to put a dog down, it is really the only choice. Trying to treat this will be futile.

Beetree, the fungus is ubiquitous in the environment. But yes, it thrives in places where there are decaying leaves and other plant matter. So tracking a dog could certainly enhance exposure opportunities. But one must remember that we too are all explosed to this pathogen and more, every single day of our lives. What probably differentiates most of us, or most GSDs from infection with such a fungus is that we have competent immune systems, with specific regard to IgA. This relative lack of IgA shows up in the mucous membranes of the body. I am so sorry for your friend and the dog that they have to experience this.

"The most widely recognised canine (and human) immunodeficiency is selective deficiency of immunoglobulin A (IgA). In both species this appears not to be an absolute lack of IgA due to a mutation in the gene encoding the immunoglobulin alpha chain, but a relative deficiency in concentration of this immunoglobulin in serum or at mucosal surfaces. IgA deficiency has been reported in the Shar pei, beagle, English cocker spaniel, Irish wolfhound and German shepherd dog, and may be part of a more complex deficiency state in Rottweilers, Weimaraners, English bull terriers and miniature dachshunds. As in humans, canine IgA deficiency has been clinically associated with a range of infectious, inflammatory, allergic and autoimmune diseases.

Most research into canine IgA deficiency has been undertaken in dogs of the German shepherd breed. Our own investigations of German shepherds with inflammatory enteropathies have shown that these dogs may have low concentrations of IgA in the intestinal lumen despite having normal numbers of IgA secreting plasma cells in the intestinal mucosa, and normal serum concentrations of this molecule2. There are no defects in the ability of German shepherd dogs to express the IgA alpha chain gene, or the genes encoding molecules involved in the transport of IgA across the intestinal epithelial barrier3. Current molecular studies have identified several genetic variants of canine IgA, and selective usage of particular variants might occur in German shepherd dogs."

Immunodeficiency Disease in the Dog
Michael J. Day, BSc, BVMS(Hons), PhD, FASM, DECVP, MRC Path, FRCVS
School of Clinical Veterinary Science, University of Bristol
UK

http://www.vin.com/proceedings/Proceedings.plx?CID=WSAVA2004&PID=8598&O=Generic

When I studied plant pathology, we grew aspergillus on specimens in the lab!  At the time, I had NO IDEA it could cause serious infections in humans and animals!

Very sad re. this lady's dog. What a horrible disease!  She should let the breeder know, if she hasn't done so already.

Hodie,
As usual you are right.  The vet has been advising not to put the dog down and that if she won't keep the dog the GSD rescue will take it.  This is making the decision much harder for the family.  They feel the vet is just trying to learn on the dog since it has never seen this before.

It is really sad, because they were fantastic with this dog and it was a really nice GSD.  They have teenage girls who will be devastated when they do put the dog down. 

Jim

I read about this in the diagnostic newsletter a few months ago from Penn State. A patient was treated with 3 antifungi cocktails and the immunosuppression in the patient was reversed. The patient in this case was concidered terminal via blood, brain and lungs .... with the treatment of cocktails the patient made a full recovery in, I think, 3 months. If I remember correctly.

(814) 863-0837 and (717) 787-8808  <<<  call both # and explain your situation. You'll need to get "live companion pet" approval, but after that your good to go. Act like you know what your doing and inquiring about .. don't sound like off the street.

If you get nowhere with both #'s .. let me know, I'll give you a direct inside contact.

Your friends situation sounds horrible. Good Luck.