Support Baylor's Fight Against Blastomycosis
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About 3 months ago, we adopted our sweet Baylor boy from a shelter near Springfield, OH. He's a 1.5 year old, black lab mix with the gentlest demeanor I've ever experienced. We have no idea how someone could have lost or abandoned this dog and not search for him endlessly. He is THE kindest dog who deserves another shot at life.
He's adjusted well in his new home in Columbus, OH (about 1 hour from where we adopted him). After a family vacation to northern Michigan, we noticed Baylor had a slight cough. The vet said it was kennel cough and he seemed healthy. We took him home, no questions asked.
One month later, Baylor was coughing till he threw up every day. He wouldn't walk, he stopped eating and drinking water, he slept constantly. We took him to the vet and we were immediately referred to OSU emergency vet hospital . They ran a few tests and confirmed that Baylor's lungs were severely infected with Blastomycosis.
Blastomycosis is a fungal disease caused by Blastomyces dermatitidis. The disease is most prevalent in the warm, moist environment found along the Ohio, Missouri, Tennessee, St. Lawrence, and Mississippi River valleys. When the fungal spores are inhaled, they settle in the small airways and begin to reproduce. The organism then spreads throughout the body and infects other organs.
During our first ICU experience, the fungus appeared to only be affecting Baylor's lungs. Two weeks after starting Baylor on an oral antifungal (fluconazole), he began to decline again. The Blastomycosis had spread to his skin. We rushed Baylor back to the ICU where he began an intensive round of medications. The vet called it the "gold standard" of antifungal treatment.
Treating Blastomycosis is an expensive and time intensive process. Baylor will require close monitoring, intensive medications, and testing for 6 months to 1 year. For 6 months of treatment, we're expecting to pay about $4,000.
Baylor is currently on oral itraconazole twice a day and he's started a 5 dose IV treatment of amphotericin B. Our deposit at OSU vet hospital will cover his first 2 doses of amphotericin B. Each dose of amphotericin B, out of the hospital, will take 5 hours and cost $500 per treatment. The oral medication, itraconazole, costs about $50 a month. Baylor will need frequent vet appointments and testing to monitor his status. Baylor will be tested monthly, once he stabilizes, to monitor the fungus growth. Urine antigen testing will be conducted during each vet appointment. Each urine antigen test is roughly $200 in addition to the cost of each vet appointment, approximately $150.
Even when treatment appears to be successful, the risk of relapse is very real with this disease. Once Baylor receives his first NEGATIVE urine antigen test, we'll need to continue medications and testing for 1-2 months after to confirm the fungus is gone.
Baylor's medical bills are current and on going. We first took Baylor to the ICU on 8/11/2020. We returned to the ICU on 8/25/2020 and were initially told euthanasia was an appropriate path for Baylor. Fortunately, Baylor was transferred and our new doctor who was not ready to end the fight. She was willing to give Baylor another chance and we were THRILLED!!
We're expected to take Baylor home again with no guarantees (hoping to bust out of the ICU on 8/28/2020!). We want to give our sweet boy everything we can to save his life and make sure he's comfortable.
In 3 short months, Baylor has captured our hearts and given us an incredible amount of joy, we hope and pray the good times with our boy keep coming! Any amount of help is immensely appreciated. This dog has made a house a home and he still has so much life ahead of him. We know with support, we can give Baylor the life he has earned. We love our Baylor boy more than I can accurately convey. Your contribution and support are highly welcomed. Helping save Baylor's life is the ultimate gift.
He's adjusted well in his new home in Columbus, OH (about 1 hour from where we adopted him). After a family vacation to northern Michigan, we noticed Baylor had a slight cough. The vet said it was kennel cough and he seemed healthy. We took him home, no questions asked.
One month later, Baylor was coughing till he threw up every day. He wouldn't walk, he stopped eating and drinking water, he slept constantly. We took him to the vet and we were immediately referred to OSU emergency vet hospital . They ran a few tests and confirmed that Baylor's lungs were severely infected with Blastomycosis. Blastomycosis is a fungal disease caused by Blastomyces dermatitidis. The disease is most prevalent in the warm, moist environment found along the Ohio, Missouri, Tennessee, St. Lawrence, and Mississippi River valleys. When the fungal spores are inhaled, they settle in the small airways and begin to reproduce. The organism then spreads throughout the body and infects other organs.
During our first ICU experience, the fungus appeared to only be affecting Baylor's lungs. Two weeks after starting Baylor on an oral antifungal (fluconazole), he began to decline again. The Blastomycosis had spread to his skin. We rushed Baylor back to the ICU where he began an intensive round of medications. The vet called it the "gold standard" of antifungal treatment.
Treating Blastomycosis is an expensive and time intensive process. Baylor will require close monitoring, intensive medications, and testing for 6 months to 1 year. For 6 months of treatment, we're expecting to pay about $4,000.
Baylor is currently on oral itraconazole twice a day and he's started a 5 dose IV treatment of amphotericin B. Our deposit at OSU vet hospital will cover his first 2 doses of amphotericin B. Each dose of amphotericin B, out of the hospital, will take 5 hours and cost $500 per treatment. The oral medication, itraconazole, costs about $50 a month. Baylor will need frequent vet appointments and testing to monitor his status. Baylor will be tested monthly, once he stabilizes, to monitor the fungus growth. Urine antigen testing will be conducted during each vet appointment. Each urine antigen test is roughly $200 in addition to the cost of each vet appointment, approximately $150. Even when treatment appears to be successful, the risk of relapse is very real with this disease. Once Baylor receives his first NEGATIVE urine antigen test, we'll need to continue medications and testing for 1-2 months after to confirm the fungus is gone.
Baylor's medical bills are current and on going. We first took Baylor to the ICU on 8/11/2020. We returned to the ICU on 8/25/2020 and were initially told euthanasia was an appropriate path for Baylor. Fortunately, Baylor was transferred and our new doctor who was not ready to end the fight. She was willing to give Baylor another chance and we were THRILLED!!
We're expected to take Baylor home again with no guarantees (hoping to bust out of the ICU on 8/28/2020!). We want to give our sweet boy everything we can to save his life and make sure he's comfortable. In 3 short months, Baylor has captured our hearts and given us an incredible amount of joy, we hope and pray the good times with our boy keep coming! Any amount of help is immensely appreciated. This dog has made a house a home and he still has so much life ahead of him. We know with support, we can give Baylor the life he has earned. We love our Baylor boy more than I can accurately convey. Your contribution and support are highly welcomed. Helping save Baylor's life is the ultimate gift.
Organizer
Gabrielle Bongiorno
Organizer
Columbus, OH