Nasal Aspergilliosis Options

[MyBoyMason]

New member who was steered here by a friend.
Never have looked for advice on a message board but there’s a 1st for everything. Here is my current dilemma:

I have a 4 ½ year old Labrador that has had a deteriorating fungal disease call Aspergilliosis, started in his Sinus. He was 1st diagnosed w/ a certain dog flu in July 05 and was put on meds for 4 months. We then went to a specialist, x-rayed, and they took a sample and it came up realistic for everything (surgery 1). As we reviewed the x-ray w/ the doctor, it was obvious that there was a mass growing and she advised us to do another, more evasive surgery to get a larger piece of tissue (2nd surgery). The results came back positive for aspergillious. A third surgery was performed, this was supposed to kill the fungus and my guy would probably be back to normal w/ some breathing issues and a slight runny nose. After 3 surgeries nothing worked (last one Feb 06)

Over the past 3 months the fungus has spread to his nose & teeth area to the point where it is extremely difficult to eat w/out our help. We recently turned to alternative medicine and a series of IV treatments which help him for a few days and then he returns to his poor state. The last alternative is do another surgical procedure with the current Vet which has shown a lot of promise w/ dogs that have had severe nasal cancer. The challenge my wife and I are facing is over the past year, we have spent a small fortune on surgeries, treatments, etc, and it hasn’t helped. There are 2 options, the 1st being difficult to come to terms with or 2nd, spend another large amount of money for the following:

1)MRI (a must) to even see if there is a chance to kill the fungus. If its too advanced my ?’s r answered
2)Surgery as well as IV treatments to help boost his immune system

My issue is, if the surgery was guaranteed to destroy the disease, with everything vested in the dog, we would do it in a heartbeat and worry about the finances later. They obviously can not guarantee that. There is also no guarantee that his immune system can get back to normal to help fight this and other diseases in the future (50/50 tops).

[karen424]

I surely understand the torn feelings you must be having right about now..

I'm a true believer of "qualilty of life".... how much more do you want to put him through? It's so hard only having 50/50 odds. You know what he's like when he's at his worst - I don't - so it's so hard for me to say.

I know how much surgeries can be and I can only imagine how much of a bill you guys have racked up so far.

All I can say is...if it were me and my kitty had been through two unsuccessful surgeries already I personally don't think I would opt for a fourth.
I'm the type that as soon as one of my babies is truly in discomfort and nothing else can be done to make it go away I put their quality of life first, and my feelings last.

I know I wasn't much help but I sure do feel your pain my dear. You have been good parents to Mason and have tried to do everything in your power emotionally and financially to help him get better. If you choose the most difficult option you are not giving up on him. Know that.

My thoughts are with you....please let us know how he's doing...

Karen