Scottsdale Pet Expert

While I may be involved in the pet sitting on a daily basis, I often forget that what is common knowledge to me isn’t always to others. When I was recently at a client’s home in Scottsdale I remembered being shocked that they didn’t know about Valley Fever and how prevalent it is in dogs here in the southwest. As a result, I decided to put together this information. Please pass it on and help spread the word. Also, if you are a person of authority on this subject…I would love to read your comments below and encourage you to elaborate.

According to the University of Arizona, “Valley Fever is caused by a fungus that lives in the desert soil in the areas described above.  As part of its life cycle, the fungus grows in the soil (saprophytic cycle) and matures, drying into fragile strands of cells.  The strands are very delicate, and when the soil is disturbed – by digging, walking, construction, high winds – the strands break apart into tiny individual spores called arthroconidia or arthrospores.  Dogs and people acquire Valley Fever by inhaling these fungal spores in the dust raised by the disturbance.  The dog may inhale only a few spores or many hundreds.”

What it looks like

It continues to say that, “Once inhaled, the spores grow into spherules (parasitic cycle) which continue to enlarge until they burst, releasing hundreds of endospores.  Each endospore can grow into a new spherule, spreading the infection in the lungs until the dog’s immune system surrounds and destroys it.  The sickness Valley Fever occurs when the immune system does not kill the spherules and endospores quickly and they continue to spread in the lungs and sometimes throughout the animal’s body.” (http://www.vfce.arizona.edu/VFID-dodogs.htm)

According to valley-faver.org,
“Most animals that inhale the spores do not become infected, and many become resistant to infection. There are two main forms of the disease; a primary form which generally involves the lungs and manifests as fever, cough, and loss of appetite. The other form, known as the disseminated form, can involve bone, joints, skin and other organ systems. This form is much more difficult to treat.

CLINICAL SIGNS include;

• Fever
• Joint swelling
• Weight loss
• Cough
• Skin abscesses
• Lameness
• Pain
• Seizures
• Incoordination.

Diagnosis is made through blood tests, X-rays, biopsy, or other tests depending on areas affected.”
http://www.valley-fever.org/valleyfeverdogs.html

If you suspect that your pet may have been a victim of valley fever, please consult with your veterinarian immediately. If you do not have one, may we recommend Dr. Casey of McDowell Mountain Animal Hospital (www.mcdowellmtnvet.com)

We encourage you to pass and share this blog with your friends to help spread the education.