Symptoms and Treatment of Valley Fever in Dogs

A Fungal Disease Affecting Dogs of the Southwestern United States

Mar 10, 2009

Dogs are particularly vulnerable when it comes to contracting Valley Fever. All owners of dogs living in the desert Southwest should be educated about this condition.

Valley Fever is a condition unique to the dusty regions of the southwestern United States. It typically affects the low desert regions encompassing central California, Arizona, New Mexico and Southwestern Texas. The disease is caused by a fungus that thrives in dusty soils where it matures into strands of cells that break up into spores once the soil is disturbed.

The disease is transmitted by inhaling the spores. Dogs are particularly prone to Valley Fever because of their proximity to the ground and because they are likely to engage in activities that disturb the soil such as running and digging.

Once the spores are inhaled, they tend to develop in larger multi-cellular structures called spherules. Spherules will grow quite large and eventually will burst releasing numerous endospores which in turn will transform into spherules again in a repetitive cycle.

Valley Fever develops typically in two forms: Primary and Disseminated. In the Primary form dogs only suffer from respiratory disorders. Because the disease is limited to the lungs, affected dogs will develop a cough, fever, lack of appetite and will appear lethargic.

More problems arise when the disease spreads from the lungs to other parts of the body. This is when the Disseminated form takes place, which often spreads to the dog's bones and joints. Typically, the dog will begin to limp for no apparent reason. In some cases, the disease may even spread to the brain and cause seizures.

Valley Fever is diagnosed in dogs with suspicious symptoms by x-rays of the lungs and a blood test that reveals the presence of Valley Fever antibodies released from the affected dog's immune system. Once a dog tests positive, immediate treatment is started.

Dogs positive for Valley Fever will be treated with anti-fungal medications. The most effective medication with the least number of side effects is Flucanazole. Second choice anti-fungals are Ketoconazole, and Itraconazole.

Treatment is often lengthy, often averaging 6-12 months. In some cases, dogs may require medications for life. Titer tests will be routinely performed to identify the correct time to wean the dog off the medication. The prognosis is generally good, with the majority of dogs recovering uneventfully; however, a small amount of dogs may not make it, regardless of aggressive treatment.

While Valley Fever cannot be prevented, owners of dogs living in the Southwestern United States should carefully monitor their dogs and report to their veterinarian any suspicious symptoms that may suggest this serious disorder.

The copyright of the article Symptoms and Treatment of Valley Fever in Dogs in Dog Care is owned by Adrienne Farricelli. Permission to republish Symptoms and Treatment of Valley Fever in Dogs in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.