At GQ, we offer a variety of services to support pets with Valley Fever. We can manage complex cases, providing advanced care and personalized treatment plans to ensure the best possible outcomes for your pet.
What is Valley Fever in dogs and cats?
Coccidioidomycosis, also known as Valley Fever, is a fungal infection that can infect dogs and cats. Two thirds of the U.S. cases are contracted in Arizona. Typically, the fungus becomes airborne and inhaled into the lungs. The fungus can move to other parts of the body such as bone, brain, skin, lymph nodes, heart, eyes, or other organs of the body. Common symptoms you may see are a cough, limping, decrease in appetite and energy.
Dr. Lisa Shubitz, DVM
Dr. Logan Hille, DVM Director of Oncology and Valley Fever
What does our Veterinary Valley Fever services look like?
Veterinary Valley Fever services focus on the diagnosis, treatment, and management of Valley Fever (Coccidioidomycosis) in animals, primarily dogs. Valley Fever is a fungal infection caused by Coccidioides spores found in dry, dusty environments, such as the southwestern United States.
Common Veterinary Valley Fever Services Include
- Diagnosis: Blood tests, Imaging (X-rays, CT scans), and Biopsies to detect the infection.
- Antifungal Treatment: Medications like Fluconazole, Itraconazole, or Amphotericin B to combat the infection.
- Symptom Management: Pain relief, anti-inflammatory medications, and supportive care for pets with joint pain, coughing, or severe systemic illness.
- Monitoring & Follow-up: Regular check-ups to track progress and adjust treatment as needed.
Dr. Lisa Shubitz, DVM from the Valley Fever Center for Excellence at the University of Arizona is one of the lead veterinary research scientists on Valley Fever (coccidioidomycosis). Her recent research includes working on a vaccine to prevent valley fever in dogs, as well as improved mouse models of infection, studies on vaccine protection in immunodeficient mice, immunology studies in dogs with valley fever, and a study of fluconazole doses in alpacas.
For further questions, feel free to call or text us at: (480)674-3200 Or email us.
Valley Fever is very common in Arizona and the Southwestern United States.
- Valley fever is caused by a fungus that lives in the desert soil in the southwestern United States
- Dogs comprise the majority of valley fever cases in animals
- Approximately 6-10% of dogs living in Pima, Pinal, and Maricopa counties in Arizona will become sick with Valley Fever each year.
- Not all dogs who breath in the spores will become sick
- About 70% of dogs who inhale Valley Fever spores are asymptomatic and possibly immune to the disease afterwards.
- As part of its life cycle, the fungus grows in the soil and dries turning into strands of cells that are inhaled.
- Once inhaled the spores grow and turn into endo spores. This process continues and spreads the infection in the host until the immune system surrounds and destroys it. The sickness Valley Fever occurs when the immune system does not kill the spores quick enough and they spread.
- There is no way to prevent valley fever
- You cannot prevent Valley Fever but you can limit the likelihood of exposure by avoiding activities that generate dust. Such as hiking, digging, sniffing.
- A vaccine is under development
- It is possible a vaccine will be available in the future to prevent Valley Fever or make it only a very mild illness.
