Ruckus

Good Day,

My name is Dr. Mark A. Pierce. I am a physician in Jacksonville Florida and recently lost a 16 month old Boxer named Ruckus to Pythiosis. I felt obligated to briefly share with the Florida Veterinary Medical Association Board my observations. Pythiosis is a rare, misunderstood, and misdiagnosed condition that is actively increasing in the canine world, especially in Florida.

I just spent $5000 with the best Doctors (Dr. Walker in Jax, Fl) in the state and the disease was mistreated from day one, even with the correct diagnosis. Unfortunately this is hind sight. Pythiosis is invariably initially treated as a bacterial infection until the antibiotics show no effect. Then surgical intervention is performed to amputate affected limbs or removal of affected internal tissues. Then, antifungals are administered with very low success.

In the Equine treatment, initial diagnosis is commonly correct with Pythiosis. Then Immunotherapy on a day 1, day 7, day 21 cycle. The success rate is quite high, near %90. Now the immunotherapy is FDA approved for Dogs, and Vets have no idea that it is approved and continue with failing to diagnose and treat correctly.

The purpose of this letter is to implore the powers that be in Florida to add immunotherapy to the curriculum in Vet training. Pythiosis.com is a wealth of information that can save many, many dogs lives.

Thank you for your kind attention.
Dr. Mark A Pierce