What is Valley Fever?
Dogs which come into contact with fungus or become diagnosed with a fungal infection can become quite ill. One particular disease caused by a type of fungus is known as Valley Fever. The offending fungus is Coccidioides immitis, and Valley Fever is also called coccidioidomycosis.
The fungus lives in soil and thrives in hot, desert environments. States that this fungus grows plentifully in are Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, Texas, and California. It is also prevalent in Mexico and South and Central America. The disease is more prevalent in the summer months and in the late fall.
Valley Fever is limited to the lungs of dogs, and is not contagious to humans or other dogs. The severe cough cannot cause the infection to spread; only inhalation of the fungal spores can cause Valley Fever.
Valley Fever in dogs is a fungal infection that can affect the lungs. This is often found in certain desert-like environments in specific areas of North America.
Symptoms of Valley Fever in Dogs
- Lameness
- Swollen joints
- Fever
- Diarrhea
- Lack of Appetite
- Moderate to severe cough
- Malaise
- Possible ulcers on the skin (rare)
Types
Valley Fever goes by several different names, and may be used interchangeably by medical professionals or in books and articles featuring this disease. Other types of names may include:
- Desert Rheumatism
- San Joaquin Valley Fever
- California Disease
Causes of Valley Fever in Dogs
If you and your dog live in an environment that is conducive to this condition, make an appointment with your veterinarian before the symptoms become too severe. Causes of Valley Fever include:
- Inhalation of fungi spores (windborne)
- Fungal spores thrive in the soil of certain regions
- Living in a climate which prevalence is high
- Dust particle inhalation
Diagnosis of Valley Fever in Dogs
If your dog is showing symptoms of Valley Fever and lives in a state or area where Valley Fever is common, make an appointment with your veterinarian. Fortunately, there is a test specifically for Valley Fever to enable your veterinarian to come to a definitive diagnosis.
Once you take your dog to the veterinarian, he will do some laboratory testing. He will perform blood work, urinalysis, biochemistry profile, and any other tests that he feels are necessary to rule out any other conditions. He will then take a closer look at his symptoms. He will ask you about his coughing, weight loss, and fever and want to know how long the symptoms have lasted. A serum test and a white blood cell test may also be conducted, as well as x-rays to help the veterinarian become closer to his diagnosis.
Your veterinarian may then perform a test for Valley Fever, which is known as a Cocci test. This test will accurately check the blood of your dog to determine if his blood is producing antibodies that are fighting the fungus. If a positive result occurs, your veterinarian will order a titer from the laboratory. This is a test that effectively will measure the amount of antibodies that are being produced in fighting the fungus.
If your dog has a low titer amount, other tests will be necessary. Blood cell counts, imaging, examination of the cells, and biopsies may be conducted. A high titer amount may be related to another type of disease and your veterinarian will perform more laboratory panels to help him discover what is affecting your dog.
Treatment of Valley Fever in Dogs
If your dog has been diagnosed with Valley Fever, your veterinarian will recommend the following forms of treatment, which may vary from dog to dog. Treatment methods may include:
Antifungal Treatment
Long term treatment with antifungal medications will be needed in order to treat your dog. Treatment may last up to one year. There are three types of medications given, and the medication of choice will be determined by your dog’s condition and your veterinarian. Fluconazole, Ketoconazole, and Itraconazole are the antifungal medications your veterinarian will choose from. They are effective at targeting the fungus and will halt the growth within your dog.
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Recovery of Valley Fever in Dogs
If caught and treated early, dogs can successfully recover from Valley Fever. Your dog will need to continue the antifungal treatment for up to one year and your veterinarian will require follow-up visits to monitor his recovery.
It will be important to follow your veterinarian’s instructions on how to care for your dog at home. Be sure to give his medication to him at the same time every day and do not miss a dose.
Unfortunately, Valley Fever can be fatal if it is diagnosed in the late stages. Your veterinarian will be honest with you as to your dog’s prognosis, and will give you advice on any decision you may need to make in terms of his life.
Valley Fever Questions and Advice from Veterinary Professionals
Bóxer mix
Tasha Salinas
2 Years
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My pet has the following symptoms:
Valley Fever, Seizures, Cough
Rescue from Arizona. Boxer mix. Kennel cough cleared. Cough stayed. Misdiagnosed with upper respiratory infection. Once medicated for URI, she started collapsing when excited since 10/2017. X-rays showed lungs completely black covered in fungus. On 11/11/17. Last collapse was a seizure as she was shaking and drooling. Could the VF have spread to her brain? And if it did, should I put her down? I would hate too but don’t want her to suffer. Please advise.
Nov. 13, 2017
0 Recommendations
Any dog with respiratory disease in Arizona should be suspected of having Valley Fever; Valley Fever may be localised to the respiratory tract or may spread. It is possible for the infection to affect the brain leading to seizures which may be managed medically. You should speak with a Specialist or your nearest Veterinary School about your options. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
http://vfce.arizona.edu/valley-fever-dogs/prognosis-outcome
Nov. 13, 2017
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Min Pin
jazz
5 yrs
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My dog was diagnosed with Valley Fever over a month ago. She is on fluconazole and rimadyl for fever. Can the fever last through the duration of vf, or should it be gone by now. She does wonderful while on rimadyl but as soon as I take her off it her temperatures spikes. Is the fluconazole not working? Is OK to keep her on rimadyl?
Sept. 6, 2017
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Fluconazole is the treatment of choice for cases of valley fever with Rimadyl (carprofen - NSAID) being used as a supportive care treatment; treatment for valley fever is long term (over six months) and both fluconazole and Rimadyl are safe to use long term, however Rimadyl may cause some gastrointestinal upset when used over a long period of time so should be looked out for. Due to valley fever being a geographical disease, I do not have any first hand experience with it; I’ve added a link from the University of Arizona which may be informative. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
http://vfce.arizona.edu/valley-fever-dogs/treatment
Sept. 6, 2017
My dog has Valley Fever and it spread to her brain before she was properly diagnosed. She went from 80 lbs down to 66 pounds and loss strength in her hind legs because it effects the nervous system. She could barely get up without help and at time was lethargic. She has been on Fluconazole and we thought it was helping because she started walking better and now she can even run again, but when we had her blood work rechecked the numbers were higher than before. :( Now their suggesting another anti-fungal medication that's a lot more expensive. Unfortunately this disease is very hard and expensive to treat. At this point we don't know what to do. I hope your dog recovers without you going broke.
Oct. 27, 2017
Laura G.
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Border collie, poodle mix
Scooter
13 Years
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My pet has the following symptoms:
Coughing
Cough
My dog was just diagnosed with Primary Valley Fever, and was put on medication. So far the only symptom is a small fever, and a constant cough. My question is will the cough go away? How long does that take?
July 26, 2017
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Primary Valley Fever is localised to the lungs and results normally with symptoms of a dry cough, loss of appetite, fever and lethargy; whilst treatment length is long (usually more than six months) you should see some improvement in symptoms within two or three weeks, although each case is different. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVMhttp://vfce.arizona.edu/valley-fever-dogs/treatment
July 26, 2017
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