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Welcome to Arizona! No more snow to shovel and sunny days
nearly every day of the year! You and your pets feel better
just being here, right? But all is not as great as it first
seems. There is a serious disease in the arid soil called
Coccidiodomycosis or “Valley Fever” for short.
What is
Valley Fever?
Valley Fever is
a term used to describe a disease caused by a fungus present
in the soil in the Arizona deserts (as well as parts of California
and New Mexico). It is inhaled and multiplies in the respiratory
tract. If the body does not mount a successful defense, it
spreads to lung, bone and other tissues throughout the body.
When it is “disseminated” throughout the body,
it can be very debilitating and lead to weight loss, poor
appetite and a pronounced, dry, hacking cough and eventual
death. Some pets first present to our clinic with signs of
limping. Others can have vague, generalized symptoms such
as lethargy and dull hair coat.
How is
Valley Fever diagnosed?
The diagnosis of
Valley Fever is based on the history, presenting signs and
a positive blood test for the antibodies to Valley Fever.
When a pet has a titer to Valley fever, it means that the
immune system has been exposed and is trying to fight the
infection. We can estimate the severity of the infection by
the level of antibody in the system. The higher the antibody
titer, the more likely it is that Valley Fever is disseminated
throughout the body. When we see changes in the bones, by
taking radiographs, we can also estimate the severity of the
infection.
How is
Valley Fever Treated?
There is more than
one medication to treat Valley Fever. Many pets are treated
with Ketoconazole (Nizoral). Others need more intensive therapy
and are prescribed either Itraconazole or Fluconazole. The
problem with all of these drugs is that treatment must continue
for several weeks, to months and in some rare cases, even
years. If your pet is diagnosed with Valley Fever, we will
go over all the treatment options and explain the goals of
therapy.
Can people
get Valley Fever?
Yes. But we get
it from the same source as our pets. We inhale the spores
and become infected. But we cannot get Valley Fever directly
from our pets. Most pets and people overcome the fungus when
first exposed, and become immune for life.
Can Valley
Fever be prevented?
There are no vaccines
available to prevent Valley Fever. Minimizing exposure to
soil is helpful. But with the level of construction constantly
ongoing, it is impractical.
Points
to remember:
- Valley Fever
is common to dogs, but rare in cats living in the desert
southwest.
- Diagnosis is
based on the history, physical exam and the confirmation
of a positive titer to Coccidiodomycosis.
- Symptoms may
be coughing, limping or soreness, weight loss and lethargy.
Most dogs with vague symptoms are considered for testing.
- If your pet
has Valley Fever, we will take the time to inform you of
the treatment plan and objectives, so that you can assist
us in returning your pet to good health.
©1999,2004 Oasis Animal Clinic. All Rights Reserved.
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