Bailey and I visited with my local veterinarian on December 23, and discussed how best to treat her #caninefungus from #aspergillosis. Actually, he and I discussed the situation while Bailey sat and listened.

Here’s the scoop: Aspergillosis infection in dogs is common in locales where the weather is warm and moist, such as Florida, and other southern states. New England isn’t know for the flourishing of aspergillosis.

However, with the changes in temperature (can you say climate change?) our neck of the woods is becoming a breeding ground for the fungus, which is found in leaf litter, compost piles, soil, our houses…just about any where fungus can reach out and grab hold!!

Okay, you sigh, so aspergillosis is spreading its little spores everywhere. So what? Well, young or middle-aged, long-nosed breeds such as Greyhounds, Collies, German Shepherds, and Dachshunds are more often affected by nasal aspergillosis.

Labradors too.

Couple the above information with Bailey being on apoquel. It’s used to control allergic itching and inflammation from skin allergies, but it also supresses the immune system of the user.

Ta-da, Bailey’s nasal passages held out a welcome mat for the fungus.

“Apoquel and Apoquel Chewable may increase the chances of developing serious infections.” This little tid-bit of information is taken from the Zoetis‘ website, the manufacturer of Apoquel.

Do you think if I ask them to donate to my Go-Fund-Me campaign for Bailey they would say yes? Worth a try, right?

Bottom line, used short-term, apoquel handles itching really well; used long term and your pooch is in for a tough journey.

My veterinarian couldn’t say that apoquel was the reason for Bailey’s fungal infection. Bailey might have a weak immune system to begin with, or the prednisone given to her for the IMPA could have reduced her immune system.

We’ll never know why Bailey’s immune system tanked and opened her up to a plethora of fungii. Remember the ringworm infection? You don’t? Well I do.

What we do know is that Bailey if not out of the woods yet in her battle with aspergillosis.

Nasal aspergillosis, which we believe is what Bailey is fighting, is a localized infection.

If not cleared by the immune system the spores, called conidia, get into the bloodstream and spread to multiple organs. This is called disseminated aspergillosis and the survival rate is not good,

Dogs with the disseminated form of aspergillosis are often terminally ill and can’t be cured and often show symptoms related to which organs the fungus has attacked. Fever, decreased appetite, weakness and weight loss, spinal pain, lack of coordination and balance, open skin sores, coughing and sneezing, swelling of the eyes, wheezing, and neurologic damage are some of the symptoms.

Sooooo, how does nasal aspergillosis get treated to improve the dog’s health, you ask, while considering donating to #baileysjourney?

Debridement (This is what Bailey had done when she had a rhinoscopy. It’s where the nasal bones are scrapped to remove the fungus.) and then anti-fungal creams are applied directly into the sinuses.

Yours for the low, low price of $5000!!! Add pneumonia for an additional $6000!!!

Other treatments of nasal aspergillosis involve trephination, the surgical practice of drilling a hole into the skull.

The use of oral anti-fungal medications can be used to treat canine nasal aspergillosis and are often combined with topical treatments. Downside? The dog’s liver suffers. 

Okay, so where are we, meaning Bailey and I?

Well, I’m in a financial hole of about $40,000 thus far.

Please refrain from telling me to put my dog down. If you don’t own a dog then you won’t understand the connection as pet can have to one’s soul. It’s magical.

But if you can spare $10, please consider donating to #baileysjourney. Or, share about my fundraising campaign on social media. Bailey and I would be most grateful.

And thank you for reading this very long post.

Please help.

Blessed be :}

Mi manchi profondamente, mio ​​amato immortale.