Valley Fever

[EngrSC]

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Anyone familiar with Valley Fever in dogs? I'd never heard of it until recently and I want to do some more research on it but there's not a ton of information out there. Basically I'm working with a client to get funding for treatment for her dog who has it and I would like to understand it better.

 

[McGovernator]

That's great you're taking the initiative and trying to get funding! I really don't know a lot about it either but I did just read an article the other day. You've probably already seen this but I'll attach the article anyway just incase!

http://www.mercedsunstar.com/2012/11/24/2667797/valley-fever-takes-its-toll-on.html

 

[DVMDream]

Valley Fever is very common in Arizona. We see it a fair amount and the majority of dogs do well once on treatment... talk to the vet and see what they know about the disease that is your best bet, they will also have the ability to get access to research and information on it (places like VIN). So start there.

 

[orcagirl]

Anyone familiar with Valley Fever in dogs? I'd never heard of it until recently and I want to do some more research on it but there's not a ton of information out there. Basically I'm working with a client to get funding for treatment for her dog who has it and I would like to understand it better.

Try this website https://www.vfce.arizona.edu/

Like DVM said it's all over in AZ. The town I was in (for school) probably half the dogs would get it at some point in their life (this is just my opinion). I've seen it in the brain (causes seizures). It like to go to the bones and cause lesions there and limping. Any dog that came in for limping would get tested pretty much. I've seen a case of uveitis caused by it. However, I've seen very few primary infections (the respiratory type). It's treatable, but can be really nasty.

 

[DVMDream]

Try this website https://www.vfce.arizona.edu/

Like DVM said it's all over in AZ. The town I was in (for school) probably half the dogs would get it at some point in their life (this is just my opinion). I've seen it in the brain (causes seizures). It like to go to the bones and cause lesions there and limping. Any dog that came in for limping would get tested pretty much. I've seen a case of uveitis caused by it. However, I've seen very few primary infections (the respiratory type). It's treatable, but can be really nasty.

Yes, I have seen all of the above. Most common being in the joints/bones and actually respiratory causing a cough (surprised you haven't seen as much respiratory). We would get lots of dogs come in with limping and coughing. I have even seen a few cats with it.. (draining abscess on the cat's back came back as VF in one case). I have seen it cause seizures too, but I am not entirely sure that it was the fungus in the brain causing the seizure or the fact that the infection was causing a 108 degree fever that was causing the seizure... could have been either or a combination of the two.

 

[orcagirl]

Yes, I have seen all of the above. Most common being in the joints/bones and actually respiratory causing a cough (surprised you haven't seen as much respiratory). We would get lots of dogs come in with limping and coughing. I have even seen a few cats with it.. (draining abscess on the cat's back came back as VF in one case). I have seen it cause seizures too, but I am not entirely sure that it was the fungus in the brain causing the seizure or the fact that the infection was causing a 108 degree fever that was causing the seizure... could have been either or a combination of the two.

I've seen the fungus itself cause seizures. Most dogs that come in limping don't really have a cough, though they might not have much of an appetite.

 

[DVMDream]

I've seen the fungus itself cause seizures. Most dogs that come in limping don't really have a cough, though they might not have much of an appetite.

Interesting... I have seen the fungus itself cause seizures but there were a few cases where the vets weren't sure if it was the fungus or the high fever. Most of the dogs that we saw limping also had a cough.. at least where I was working and all of them where lethargic. Interesting to see how different it is from one area to the next.

 

[EngrSC]

*poof*

DVMD - I was actually thinking I would PM you if I got no responses here because I figured you would have heard of it 😛

 

[orcagirl]

Does he had open lesions? I've never heard of vet bandaging dogs if they didn't have lesions (though it could just be the vets I worked with).

 

[EngrSC]

Does he had open lesions? I've never heard of vet bandaging dogs if they didn't have lesions (though it could just be the vets I worked with).

I should have used splint instead of bandage 🙂

Oh, and would you be so kind as to remove the first paragraph of the quote above? I'm going to "poof" it at some point 🙂

 

[orcagirl]

There you go. No problem. That makes sense. I hope he starts feeling better soon.

 

[EngrSC]

There you go. No problem. That makes sense. I hope he starts feeling better soon.

Much appreciated!