What Every Dog Owner Should Know About Valley Fever
Like most other conditions, the goal is to catch Valley Fever as early as possible. The longer it’s able to reside in our dog, the worse the condition becomes. Whether you’re a permanent resident of Arizona or you’re just visiting, it’s important to know the ins and outs of this ailment.
What is Valley Fever in Dogs?
Valley Fever is a condition caused by a fungus called Coccidioides immitis. Scientifically, the ailment it causes is known as coccidioidomycosis, but you may also hear it referred to as California disease, desert rheumatism, and San Joaquin valley fever.
The Primary Disease in the Lungs
Once your dog breathes in the spores from C. immitis, they develop into larger structures. Adult dogs who are healthy often have a good immune system to help fight off these foreign invaders. These dogs often have a very mild form of the condition as the body kills off the unwanted and unwelcome intruders.
Dogs with a compromised immune system are at greater risk. Puppies, senior dogs, and dogs with an underlying illness often lack the immunity to fight the illness off. In these dogs, the large structures we talked about will continue to grow and burst. Once they burst, they release more fungi into the body. This process can continue repeatedly.
Disseminated Disease Spreads
In the disseminated disease, the fungus has spread to other parts of the body. From the lungs, it travels to the joints and bones, eyes, and even the host’s brain.
How Valley Fever is Transmitted
There are two different forms of this fungi. One form is in the environment whereas the other form has taken up residence in their host’s body. In the outdoor environment, C. immitis is in its mold form.
When the environment is dry, the mold tends to go dormant in the soil. That doesn’t mean it goes away though; this mold can remain dormant for long periods of time.
Then, once it rains, the fungus thrives and produces infectious spores. These spores become airborne if they are disturbed in any way whether by farming, digging, or construction.
Once they’re inhaled by their host, they take their second form. This form is more of a yeast than a mold and infects the lungs of the host.
Dogs Aren’t the Only Species Diagnosed
Valley Fever isn’t only found in dogs. We, as humans, can also become infected with the fungus. Other animals may also develop this ailment including cattle, horses, deer, elk, mules, llamas, apes, monkeys, kangaroos, bears, tigers, otters, badgers, and even fish.
Dogs are incredibly susceptible to infection from this fungi, likely because they are continuously digging in the dirt and sniffing the soil. This makes them more vulnerable to the condition as they inhale large amounts of spores.
Areas Where Risk is the Highest
Valley Fever, also known as C. immitis, has been detected in New Mexico, Texas, and California. However, Arizona reports the highest number of cases, particularly in central and southern regions of the state. Alarmingly, between 6-10% of dogs in Arizona are likely to develop symptoms of Valley Fever at some point in their lives.
Is Valley Fever Contagious?
No, Valley Fever is not contagious. In order to contract the disease, the fungal spores must be inhaled by the host. These fungal spores can’t be transmitted from animal to human or even human to human.
Signs and Symptoms of Valley Fever
There are different signs of Valley Fever which depend on if the condition is primary or disseminated.
Signs of the Primary Form of Valley Fever
The primary form is what you see when the fungi are still confined to the lungs. This is when we hope to catch the condition for early treatment. Signs of the primary form include fever, dry cough, lethargic behavior, and decreased appetite.
Signs of the Disseminated Form of Valley Fever
In the disseminated form of the condition, the joints and bones are most vulnerable, leading to pain, swelling, and lameness. If the fungi spreads to the eyes, inflammation could result in blindness. There are cases where it can spread to the brain, too. In these cases, seizures and other abnormal neurological activities may occur. Additional signs that could accompany the disseminated form include:
- Lethargic behavior
- Lack of appetite
- Weight loss
- Fever
- Enlarged lymph nodes
- Wounds that don’t heal
- Swollen testicles
Diagnosing the Condition in Dogs
If you live in an area where the condition is common, it’s important to get checked out by the veterinarian as soon as possible. Your veterinarian will run tests for a diagnosis. One of these tests may be a titer test to determine if your dog has any evidence of exposure.
Your veterinarian may also recommend blood tests and diagnostic X-rays of the affected areas. Fluid samples or potentially infected tissue may also be used for diagnostic purposes.
Treatment Options for Dog Owners to Consider
In most cases, dogs diagnosed with Valley Fever will need to be prescribed an antifungal medication for an extended period of time. The treatment time ranges but most dogs require steady antifungal medications for at least 6 months.
If the fungus reaches the nervous system, dogs may need lifetime treatment. If it reaches the dog’s eyes and they appear to be painful, surgery may be necessary to reduce the pain.
Severe cases may require hospitalization to administer IV fluids or oxygen. Fortunately, most dogs begin to feel better one to two weeks after treatment.
The Importance of Physical Examinations
Regular annual physical exams play a crucial role in maintaining your dog’s health. These check-ups allow veterinarians to establish a baseline of what is normal for your pet when they are healthy, helping to monitor any changes over time.
During these exams, the vet has the opportunity to thoroughly examine your dog, identifying any potential health issues early on. This proactive approach ensures that any unusual signs or symptoms can be addressed promptly, contributing to your dog’s overall well-being and longevity.
For further reading, we recommend:
Study Shows Vaccine Protects Dogs Against Valley Fever | The University of Arizona Health Sciences
Δcps1 vaccine protects dogs against experimentally induced coccidioidomycosis – ScienceDirect
How Dogs Get Valley Fever
Incidence of Infection Study | Valley Fever Center for Excellence.
