From the Desk of Dr. Wheat

At a Glance – Crucial Information 1. Itraconazole is an effective and commonly used antifungal drug 2. Adverse effects (AEs) are reported in 8-33% of dogs and cats treated 3. AEs are more common with higher itraconazole blood levels 4. Treatment failure is more likely with sub-therapeutic blood levels 5. Blood levels are highly...
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As a veterinarian, when you submit a diagnostic test, the service lab is your business partner. You expect the same quality service from your business partner that you provide your pet-owning clients. An important part of that service is the product quality, and in this case the product is the diagnostic test result. The following...
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Janelle Renschler, D.V.M., Ph.D., Dipl. ACVP and Joseph Wheat, MD Antigen detection for diagnosis of histoplasmosis in veterinary patients was first offered at MiraVista Diagnostics in 2004.  The MiraVista enzyme immunoassay (EIA) has been refined to improve sensitivity and permit quantification .  The MiraVista EIA has since become a leading method for diagnosis of progressive...
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Overview: Fluconazole is frequently used to treat cats with histoplasmosis, as it is well tolerated, cost effective, and available in convenient dosage form. In one study of 30 cats with histoplasmosis, treatment with fluconazole (19.3 mg/kg/day) led to similar survival and recrudescence rates as itraconazole (10.0 mg/kg/day), suggesting that fluconazole is an effective therapy for...
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FINDINGS FROM A RECENT CLINICAL STUDY PERFORMED AT MIRAVISTA DIAGNOSTICS

Coccidioidomycosis, a fungal infection endemic to the desert Southwestern United States, regions of South America, Central America, and Mexico is caused by the dimorphic fungi Coccidioides immitis and C. posadasii.  Dogs are typically exposed by inhalation of the spores from soil, and they often develop only subclinical or mild respiratory disease. In severe cases, dissemination...
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A 6-year-old Labrador retriever from Kentucky presented with sudden onset of coughing, lethargy and inappetence. Thoracic radiographs revealed diffuse nodular interstitial pulmonary infiltrates and tracheobronchial lymphadenopathy, suggestive of a systemic mycosis. The veterinarian submitted urine for both Blastomyces and Histoplasma antigen tests, with results of 4.5 ng/mL and 6.8 ng/mL, respectively. QUESTION: What diagnostic tests...
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