USE OF AN AMPHOTERICIN-B LIPID COMPLEX FOR TREATMENT OF BLASTOMYCOSISIN DOGS

Objective-To evaluate efficacy and nephrotoxicity of amphotericin B li pid complex used for treatment of dogs with naturally developing blast omycosis. Design-Prospective clinical trial. Animals-11 dogs with blas tomycosis. Procedure-All dogs were treated with an amphotericin B lipi d complex. Two dogs received a cumulative dose of 8 mg/kg of body weig ht, 1 received a cumulative dose of 10 mg/kg, and 8 received a cumulat ive dose of 12 mg/kg. Results-The 2 dogs that received a cumulative do se of 8 mg/kg and 1 of the dogs that received a cumulative dose of 12 mg/kg had a relapse of blastomycosis within 30 days after treatment. S even of the remaining 8 dogs were clinically free of blastomycosis 6 m onths after treatment. One dog died of an unrelated cause 5.5 months a fter treatment, but did not have clinical signs of blastomycosis at th e time of death. There were not any adverse clinical effects attributa ble to drug administration in any of the dogs in this study, and none of the dogs developed clinical signs of renal disease or failure. Clin ical Implications-Amphotericin B lipid complex was a safe and effectiv e treatment for blastomycosis in these dogs.