Valley Fever Coccidioides immitis, which grows in soils in areas of low rainfall, high summer temperatures, and moderate winter temperatures. These fungal spores become airborne when the soil is disturbed by winds, construction, farming and other activities. In animals, infection occurs when a spore is inhaled. Valley Fever is not a "contagious" disease.
Valley Fever Information and Links
Valley Fever (Coccidioidomycosis) is primarily a disease of the lungs that is common in the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico. It is caused by the fungus Coccidioides immitis, which grows in soils in areas of low rainfall, high summer temperatures, and moderate winter temperatures. These fungal spores become airborne when the soil is disturbed by winds, construction, farming and other activities. In susceptible people and animals, infection occurs when a spore is inhaled. Within the lung, the spore changes into a larger, multicellular structure called a spherule. The spherule grows and bursts, releasing endospores which develop into spherules. Valley Fever symptoms generally occur within three weeks of exposure. Valley Fever is not a "contagious" disease, meaning it is not passed from person to person or dog to dog. Secondary infections are rare.
The population of Phoenix are seeing an increase in the number of people contracting Valley Fever. We have also noticed an increase in the number of dogs that come in to Rescue. RAGOFAZ tests all dogs that come in to Rescue for Valley Fever, as it is much easier to cure the illness in the early stages. Each dog that tests positive will receive medication and any testing needed at RAGofAZ expense for 6 months. RAGOFAZ requests further medications and testing to be done by the new adoptive family. Sometimes this may be 6 months, but effective treatment may take up to 2 years.
In our experience, most of the dogs on any of the medications listed below to treat the disease go through a difficult time eating. Yet, they must eat, to digest the medication. If your dog is getting fussy eating, allow him to eat anything that he will, even if this means making him soups (no salts please), hamburger, chicken, beef, pasta, whatever he/she will eat. The medication will upset their tummies, but it will pass after awhile. Some dogs respond well to steamed liver or beef heart.
Symptoms may include but are not limited to: unwillingness to eat, nausea, lethargy, fever, sometimes lameness, lesions or seizures and sometimes kidney and liver damage.
Something else we have found is that the drugs are not as effective if taken with any type of dairy product or yogurt. If your dog has cottage cheese, or yogurt on a regular basis, be sure to space the feeding at least 2 hours away from ingestion of the medicine.
Special care should be taken during the process to monitor for liver functions as these medications can be detrimental to liver functions. Supplements that may help your pet during the disease cycle are listed below. Be sure to discuss efficacy and dosage with your vet should you decide to use any of these:
Vitamins that help your pet during the disease cycle:- Milk Thistle - to protect the liver (140-160 mg 2 x daily)
- Vitamin C (in form of scorbate) - to help boost the immune system
- Desert Pure Yucca - if dog has joint problems (i.e., has gone to the bones)
- Seameal - if dog has joint problems (same as above)
- Selenium and Vitamin E - natural antioxidant
Beta-carotene - For those owners who feed their pets homemade diets, or who supplement their pets diets with raw or lightly steamed vegetables, dark green and orange-yellow vegetables are good sources of beta-carotene. These include carrots, sweet potatoes, squash, spinach, romaine lettuce, broccoli, apricots, and green peppers.
LINKS
Valley Fever Center for Excellence
Do Dogs Get Valley Fever
DRUGS TO TREAT VALLEY FEVER
Fluconazole (brand name commonly known as Diflucan) (***see below)
Ketoconazole (brand name most commonly known as Nizoral
Itraconozole (brand name most commonly known as Sporanox
***The drug Diflucan, know by its generic name, fluconazole, went off patent this year. Within the last month, US generic fluconazole has become available and is very affordable at Costco and possibly other discount pharmacies, such as Target or Walmart. Next time you need a refill, talk to your vet about a prescription for US-made generic instead of compounded fluconazole. It is available in 50, 100, 150, and 200 mg tablets and the prices are quite comparable to the compounded medication for many doses that dogs routinely take.
YAHOO GROUP TO DISCUSS VALLEY FEVER WITH OTHERS LIKE YOURSELF
To subscribe write an email to: valleyfeverpets-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
A place to share information as to what meds & supplements may have worked for us with our furkids, vets we have used which were helpful and/or willing to work with us & our concerns and we are always there with a shoulder for those whose pets lose the battle.... sometimes we just vent our frustration.
VALLEY FEVER IS AWFUL, INSIDIOUS DISEASE, BUT IT IS NOT A DEATH SENTENCE!
RAGOFAZ currently has 36 dogs both foster and Adopted that are on Valley Fever meds. We provide six months of medication to either foster or adoptive home at a time. Ketoconozol is about $15 a month, Fluconozole, about $50 a month and Itraconozol can be as expensive as $200 a month. As you can see, it takes a lot of money to treat these dogs, but they are ALL worth it!
If you would like to make an online donation to help us help the dogs that come in to our rescue please visit our donations page.
If you prefer to make a check donation you may send it to:
Rescue a Golden of Arizona
"Valley Fever Funding"
P.O. Box 71987
Phoenix, AZ 85050
If you need to talk to someone within our organization to discuss Valley Fever you may contact us by email at: RAGOFAZ Contact