Miko's Allergies

Dyan - I live in California and have only done the 3 year vaccinations for the last several years.  I didn't even know enough about the possible downsides of over-vaccinating until this last year, but that's just what the vets offered.  Is it different here than other states or have I just been lucky?

UPDATE ON MIKO
 
So far Miko has been slowly getting worse.  She's been on oxygen, antibiotics and IVs all week and nothing has helped, her temperaature has gone up as she's become weaker.  BUT my husband did internet research after I came home without any good news this morning and nearly all her symptoms are consistent with those for blastomycosis and, after several consults with the vets and hospital director, we're trying treatment for that.  It's possible that she's a Katrina dog and had this problem already in her system just waiting to explode.  If this is the case, it probably has no bearing at all on allergies or testing or treatment and what I thought of as discomfort due to testing and Atopica was the onset of symptoms.  We just hope she gets well!  Blastomycosis is almost unknown here and not quickly diagnosed; not all of the tests are back yet but we're starting treatment anyway since it seems to be our only hope.  A whole team of experienced vets, radiologists, surgeons and techs have been just at a loss as to what else to do to help her.
 
I am really thankful for all the caring emails and support; its really helped me through an awful week.  I hope you all and your furry loved ones are doing well and I'm glad if our problems have led to some helpful discussion.

Oh my gosh, thats so sad.  I have no idea what Blastomycosis is, I will have to look that up later. Its so great that you have so many people working on it to help her and make her well. I pray that the treatmeant that you are starting helps right away, and that Miko  improves quickly. Bless you for trying so hard to save this baby of yours. Please hang in there,, and know that if we all could help, we would!
 
Cathy, I don't know why the vets in my area are not changing to the three year protocol, but I called every vet in my area and there are quite a few,,and I stopped in one or two that I thought I would take Bubblegum to because they looked kind of like a good place to go. I found NO ONE that is not vaccinating yearly except for the one I decided to go with and they do 2 years.     I actually pass 4 vets on the same street to get to mine,,maybe even 5 because closer to where they are might be another that I'm forgetting,,it takes at least 30 min to get there (I have one vet 1 min. away and another about 2 min. away)  One well known vet in the neighboring city told me they will be thinking of changing their protocols this year,,,they just still haven't decided.  So I don't  know if its the area or what!

   I'm so sorry to hear that Miko has been getting worse. This has to very painful for you. I will pray that the treatments for blastomycosis work and that Miko is better soon. I have been checking this thread daily for an update and was hoping for good news, but hopefully your husband found the answer and Miko will be alright.
    Dyan, here is a link about blastomycosis :                                        [linkhttp://www.vet.uga.edu/VPP/clerk/mordecai/index.htm]http://www.vet.uga.edu/VPP/clerk/mordecai/index.htm[/link]
 
  In the fall of 2004,  we had to rush Jessie to the emergency clinic because the left side of her head had suddenly swelled severely, her left eyelid had turned red, swelled and had pustules, and the skin on the top of her nose had turned red and had pustules. The emergency vet we saw and our regular vet had no idea what had caused this, and when I searched online one of the possibilities I considered was blastomycosis. I asked my vet about it and she said it wasn't a fungal infection because her lungs were clear. When Jessie began seeing the veterinary dermatologist in the spring of 2005, she said it was an eisinophilic furunculosis, which is a  rare allergic reaction,most likely to an insect bite, although I'm not sure what insects are around in October. She said this can happen to very sensitive dogs.
 
    

I'm thinking about you and Miko, praying for some improvement for her!

I want to thank everyone again for all the prayers and good vibes sent our way.  They really helped us but I'm afraid nothing that we tried helped Miko and she had to be put to sleep on Monday.  Blastomycosis fungal cells were never found in any of the tests despite her having all the symptoms but an obscure bacteria that kills 90% of all dogs that get it was (I don't remember the name of it).  Her chest cavity was filling with fluid, her heart was weaker and the doctor said her lungs were slowly collapsing.  It was a hard decision to make but we felt it wasn't right to keep her hanging on, full of tubes and struggling for breath when there was so little hope for her and we said a very painful goodbye.
 
Thank you all for your support and information.  I'm going to continue to lurk here and jump in again when we have another dog.  Husband misses his 'little sweetie' and says the house is too lonely without a dog, so we'll be looking before too long.  Miko was perfect for us, just wanting to be near us and do whatever she thought we wanted.  She left some very tough paw prints to fill. 

Awww Jane, I was so hoping to read good news in your post.  I'm so sorry to hear that Miko didn't pull through.  You gave her a great fighting chance but it sounds like the odds were against her.  Poor baby but she's at peace now and running free from pain.  Sending healing thoughts to you and your husband though.  I know how hard it can be.  Please do hang around and maybe you'll be able to help someone who finds themself in the same situation.  Hugs to you and your husband.

Gosh I'm so sorry.  Too many of us have been in your shoes, so know how hard this is for you.  Hugs to you and your DH and prayers for your healing.
 
Run free little one.

 I'm so sorry about Miko. BIG HUG for both of you. She was very lucky that you adopted her and made her short life happy. You'll be in my prayers.

I am so sorry!