Use of anti-inflammatories on survival in dogs with pulmonary blastomycosis | VETgirl Veterinary CE Podcasts

In today's VETgirl online veterinary continuing education podcast, we review the impact of anti-inflammatory medications on survival in dogs with pulmonary blastomycosis (secondary to Blastomyces spp). Blastomycosis is one of the major systemic fungal diseases we see in dogs, and for any of you that practice in endemic areas, you know what a devastating disease this can be. Studies have demonstrated that the remission rates for dogs with Blastomycosis can range from 68-75% (Arceneaux, McMillan, Mazepa). However those dogs with severe pulmonary disease tend to have a worse prognosis (Bromel, McMillan, Mazepa), and there is a pressing need to maximize our treatment strategies in these patients. Not only are the fungal organisms themselves destructive, but treatment of the disease can cause a marked and even dangerous inflammatory response. So, Walton et al at the University of Minnesota Veterinary Medical Center wanted to examine if anti-inflammatory medications, including nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and/or corticosteroids, affected outcome in dogs with pulmonary blastomycosis. They also wanted to determine if other factors such as itraconazole dose, patient characteristics, or the need for oxygen therapy impacted 30-day survival. The authors hypothesized that the use of anti-inflammatory medications would improve 30-day survival.