Sherman #369 He is gone.

[Freedom]

Oh Pat, I am stunned! Is this something contagious? Do you have to keep him segregated from Star?

I liked Catty1's suggestion of the vaporizer, if you have one.

Keeping paws crossed and prayers said for Sherman and all of you.

[cyber-sibes]

Thanks everyone, I'm going to look into a vaporizer. I hope we can post about an improvement soon. Since Star 's already been exposed, she's not separated, although she's pretty much doing her own thing.

The rest of this pretty lengthy, but I felt it was neccessary to take the time to post it. Like they say, knowledge is power.

(e.g. Clavamox)The idea the Vet is even suggesting a fungal infection, when you started with a Kennel cough like infection that has progressed into a bacterial pneumonia is strange.

He's on Clavamox, I could only remember reading amoxi part when I was typing. Just to clarify, the vet did not suggest he has a fungal infection, he was just saying that IF Sherman doesn't get better, that we need to broaden the look at what might be playing into this. Considering we just moved here from Ohio, he said there is a high incidence of dogs in the midwest contracting fungal infections, whereas he doesn't see it very often out here.

Since several comments have been made, I thought it would be appropriate to share what I'm learning. I hope this helps people understand where the vet is coming from. Some of you sound pretty well informed about this stuff. I'm not giving a word-by-word report on our visits, and I apologise if anyone felt misled, my bad.

I've highlighted the symptoms Sherman has that would indicate why the vet would consider this as a possibility:

Blastomycosis is an infection found in dogs, people, and occasionally cats. It is caused by the fungal organism Blastomyces dermatitidis, which is found as a mold in the soil or at room temperatures and as a yeast in tissues or at body temperatures. The mold occurs in sandy, acid soils near river valleys or other waterways. Endemic in Ohio, Mississippi, St. Lawrence river valleys, the Great lakes region, and along the eastern seaboard, veterinarians report blastomycosis more frequently in the fall... For unknown reasons, male dogs are more likely to contract blastomycosis than females.
The clinical signs of blastomycosis may vary with the target organs affected and may include one or all of the following: anorexia, depression, weight loss, fever (103 degrees or higher) that doesn't respond to antibiotics, coughing, shortness of breath, exercise intolerance, enlarged lymph nodes, eye disease, or skin lesions that drain bloody or purulent material.
Read about blatomycosis here

I think this is important to know about, especially for those living in the indicated areas. (including many our dear PT friends from the Findlay gatherings).

And when all this started, Sherman had no fever, no raspy lungs, no shallow breathing, no lethargy, & still had a great appetite - only a cough. He was thoroughly assessed before giving him vaccinations. They were very clear that they do not vaccinate dogs they feel are not healthy enough.

Thanks again everyone, your caring really warms my heart! I know PT prayers work.

[Cinder & Smoke]

Thanks again everyone, your caring really warms my heart!
I know PT prayers work.

{{{HUGS}}} & Prayers for Sherman, Mom, Dad, and Sista Star!!

Get Well SOON, Sherm!!

[LuckyNumber7]

If it doesn't start clearing up soon, you may want to suggest to your vet that they do a trachea wash, where they take a sample of the gunk in Sherm's lungs and culture it to see what grows - that way they can give you a specific antibiotic for whatever bacteria you're dealing with.

And to whoever asks - it's highly contagious. When my pup had pneumonia they had her in a little closed off incubator in the critical care room in the hospital, so that she couldn't spread it to the other pups there. We had to wear gloves and gowns to pet her during visiting hours, and she was in total isolation from the other dogs.

I'm crossing my fingers that Sherm feels better soon. Since he's a big strong dog I bet he'll recover quickly!

[chocolatepuppy]

Oh no, last time I checked this Sherman seemed to be getting better. I will continue to keep him in my prayers. I hope he is feeling better soon.

[Karen]

Sherman will be in our prayers. I've got peanut butter cookies if you get better, Sherm ....

[Daisy and Delilah]

Sorry I am just seeing this thread. How awful for Sherman and all of you!! What a struggle this has been, Pat. I feel for you and your family and of course I'm sending big giant wishes that Sherman will get better really really soon. Poor guy just doesn't know what's going on. Thank God for his loving family being there for him and doing everything humanly possible for a swift recovery. My thoughts and prayers are going up to all of you right now. GET WELL HANDSOME MAN!!! We're baking up a big batch of peanut butter cookies for you too {{{{{HUGS}}}}}

[cmayer31]

I'll keep all my toes and fingers crossed that Sherman continues to get better.

[cassiesmom]

Sherman, sweety! I hope the antibiotics work and you feel much better soon.

[ramanth]

Oh Sherman! I'm sorry you have pnuemonia buddy. I hope it clears up soon.

[wolf_Q]

Aww he has pnemonia...poor husky boy. Get feeling better soon Sherman!

[Tollers-n-Dobes]

Poor guy.

He's been through so much this last little while. I hope he gets better soon!