Search results
Mar 15, 2024 · Disseminated coccidioidomycosis refers to when the disease has spread to other parts of the body, commonly leading to swelling of the joints and lameness. ... For Valley fever in dogs, the ...
- Nandini Maharaj
- What Is Valley Fever?
- Where Is Valley Fever Found?
- What Species Can Be Infected with Valley Fever?
- How Is Valley Fever Spread?
- What Are The Symptoms of Valley Fever in Dogs?
- How Is Valley Fever Diagnosed?
- What Is The Treatment For Valley Fever?
- What Is The Prognosis For Recovery?
Valley fever is a disease caused by a fungus known as Coccidiodes immitis. Although the proper name for this disease is coccidioidomycosis, it is most often called valley fever, California disease, desert rheumatism, or San Joaquin valley fever.
This soil-dwelling fungus has adapted to survive in desert climates and is prevalent in certain parts of Arizona, California, Nevada, New Mexico, Texas, Utah, northwestern Mexico, and parts of Central and South America. It has been also reported in south-central Washington State. Infections rates vary greatly by county, and not all the factors that...
This disease is common in humans, and has been isolated in dogs, cattle, horses, deer, elk, mules, llamas, apes, monkeys, kangaroos, wallabies, tigers, bears, badgers, otters, fish, and marine mammals. Dogs appear to be very susceptible to infections with valley fever, probably because they sniff the ground and dig in the dirt, potentially inhaling...
Like many fungi, C. immitishas a complex life cycle. It has two completely different forms, depending on whether it is in the environment or has entered a host animal. When it is in the environment, it exists as a mold. During dry spells, the mold goes dormant in the soil, and can remain dormant for prolonged periods of time. Once the rains come, t...
Once the spores are breathed into the lungs, they develop into larger structures called spherules. In a healthy adult dog, the dog's immune system will wall off the organisms in the spherules and there will be no further problems. In these cases, the signs of disease are usually very mild, and often the dog does not even become visibly ill. However...
If you live in an area where this disease is prevalent and your dog is showing signs that are consistent with valley fever, your veterinarian will recommend diagnostic testing to determine whether your dog has this infection. This testing will most certainly include a titer testto determine whether your dog has valley fever antibodies (evidence of ...
At the present time, dogs that develop valley fever require lengthy treatment with antifungal medications. The duration of treatment will depend on the severity of infection. In many cases treatment will be required for 6-12 months. If the fungus has invaded the nervous system, the dog may require antifungal medication for life. There are a number ...
A small number of dogs, usually those that develop disseminated disease, will die from valley fever. However, the majority of dogs that are treated appropriately will recover from this disease. Your veterinarian will periodically repeat the antibody titer test to determine when the antifungal medication can be stopped.
People also ask
What causes Valley fever in dogs?
What are the different types of Valley fever in dogs?
Does Valley fever relapse in dogs?
Valley Fever is well known to relapse in both humans and dogs. In particular, cases of disseminated infection have a 30-50% rate of relapse in humans, no matter how well the initial infection was treated. It is not known how many canine cases of Valley Fever relapse, but relapses are not uncommon and the rate may be similar to people.
When the infection spreads outside the lungs, it causes disseminated disease. The most common symptom of disseminated disease in dogs is lameness; the fungus has a predilection for infecting bones of the legs in dogs. However, Valley Fever can occur in almost any bone or organ of dogs. Signs of disseminated Valley Fever can include: lameness or ...
In most cases, a dog ill enough from Valley Fever to be seen by a veterinarian will require treatment with antifungal medication. Courses of medication are usually extensive, averaging 6-12 months. Dogs with disseminated disease in bones, skin, or internal organs usually require longer courses of medication.
- Supportive Treatments For Sick DogsOther treatments for Valley Fever are mainly directed at supportive care: making your dog feel better while the antifungal medication starts to hea...
- What Is The Best Treatment For Valley Fever?Treatment choices vary by the individual veterinarian and patient. Reasons for choice of medication include practitioner's experience with the drug...
- What Is The Proper Dose of Valley Fever medications?Your veterinarian is skilled in the diagnosis and treatment of your pet's illness. Should you feel that your dog is not responding or may have side...
- What Are The Side Effects of Oral Valley Fever Drugs (Ketoconazole, Itraconazole, and Fluconazole) in Dogs?All Valley Fever medications have the potential to cause side effects in dogs. 1. Loss of appetite is the most common and may be severe in some dog...
- What Happened to The Price of Generic Fluconazole & What Can I Do About It?In 2013, most of the manufacturers of generic fluconazole stopped making it. There are only a few manufacturers left, which has driven the price up...
Mar 8, 2024 · What Is Valley Fever in Dogs? Valley fever is a respiratory infection that dogs get from inhaling mold spores ... Symptoms of the disseminated disease often include the symptoms of the primary ...
Coccidioidomycosis varies from inapparent to progressive, disseminated, and fatal. Coccidioidomycosis is primarily a respiratory disease that ranges from self-limiting to chronic. Dissemination occurs in ~20% of canine infections, with many tissues affected, especially brain, eyes, skin, bone, and joints.
