PETS & VALLEY FEVER
VALLEY FEVER TIPS FOR VETERINARIANS
This pet recently traveled to southern Arizona. A fungal disease called Valley Fever (coccidioidomycosis) is endemic there. The most common manifestation of Valley Fever is a respiratory illness that can include cough, fever, lethargy, lack of appetite, and weight loss. Systemic signs of disseminated disease are most commonly lameness and weight loss but can include seizures, uveitis or blindness, swollen lymph nodes, or signs related to involvement of almost any organ. Valley Fever may need to be considered as a differential for any unusual or unresponsive illness this pet has.
Diagnosis:
For additional information on diagnosis and treatment of Valley Fever, you may contact the following:
VALLEY FEVER TIPS FOR VISITORS WITH PETS
Valley Fever is a local fungal infection that is usually acquired by inhaling spores from the soil. It may cause a respiratory illness or systemic disease.
The most common symptom is:
Other symptoms include:
Treatment is generally with oral medication administered for weeks to months.
Monitoring of progress involves veterinary rechecks of your dog's health, blood tests, and sometimes x-rays.
If your dog is known or suspected to have Valley Fever after you return home, you and your vet can get more information by contacting your vet in Arizona.
Contributed by the Tucson Kennel Club and Arizona Victims of Valley Fever
VALLEY FEVER TIPS FOR VETERINARIANS
This pet recently traveled to southern Arizona. A fungal disease called Valley Fever (coccidioidomycosis) is endemic there. The most common manifestation of Valley Fever is a respiratory illness that can include cough, fever, lethargy, lack of appetite, and weight loss. Systemic signs of disseminated disease are most commonly lameness and weight loss but can include seizures, uveitis or blindness, swollen lymph nodes, or signs related to involvement of almost any organ. Valley Fever may need to be considered as a differential for any unusual or unresponsive illness this pet has.
Diagnosis:
- Travel history
- Physical examination
- Serum chemistries and CBC
- Serology
- Radiographs
- Advanced imaging or site biopsies relevant to the pet's clinical signs
For additional information on diagnosis and treatment of Valley Fever, you may contact the following:
- Your patient's Arizona veterinarian
- The Valley Fever Center for Excellence at
www.vfce.arizona.edu
VALLEY FEVER TIPS FOR VISITORS WITH PETS
Valley Fever is a local fungal infection that is usually acquired by inhaling spores from the soil. It may cause a respiratory illness or systemic disease.
The most common symptom is:
- coughing
Other symptoms include:
- Lack of appetite
- Lethargy
- Weight loss
- Fever
- Lameness
Treatment is generally with oral medication administered for weeks to months.
Monitoring of progress involves veterinary rechecks of your dog's health, blood tests, and sometimes x-rays.
If your dog is known or suspected to have Valley Fever after you return home, you and your vet can get more information by contacting your vet in Arizona.
Contributed by the Tucson Kennel Club and Arizona Victims of Valley Fever
/uploads/8/1/8/9/8189413/2013-10-29_143901.pdf
ASPCA Rescue Dog Struggles with Valley Fever, October 2013
ASPCA Rescue Dog Struggles with Valley Fever, October 2013
http://www.bakersfieldcalifornian.com/health/x59955720/Valley-fever-and-your-animals-it-can-be-a-problem
Alpacas Get Sick
http://www.azpm.org/arts-and-life/story/2012/2/17/60-web-feature-fulfillment-in-fleece/
http://tucson13.nytimes-institute.com/2013/05/31/animals-are-also-victims-of-valley-fever/
http://www.veterinarypracticenews.com/vet-breaking-news/2013/08/06/fever-pitch.aspx
http://www.thebark.com/content/symptoms-valley-fever-dogs
Nikkomycin--Dogs, Results: March 2012
| nikkomycinresultscanine2012.pdf |
Dogs as Heirs
PETS WITH VALLEY FEVER
Myths about Valley Fever
http://northscottsdalevet.wordpress.com/2012/05/11/valley-fever-myths-exposed/#comment-32
Much of the information is courtesy of Lisa Shubitz, DVM, of the University of Arizona, Tucson.
See www.vfce.arizona.edu for more information.
See www.vfce.arizona.edu for more information.
Interested in finding a local veterinarian experienced in treating valley fever? Lisa Shubitz, DVM, at the University of Arizona in Tucson, recommends Richard C. Brady in Glendale. 623-934-7423
http://www.dogheirs.com/dogheirs/posts/389-valley-fever-coccidioidomycosis-in-dogs-symptoms-and-treatment
Because of their susceptibility and popularity as human companions, dogs comprise the majority of animal cases of Valley Fever. Owners spend hundreds to thousands of dollars each year, especially in Arizona, diagnosing, treating, and following up care for their dogs with Valley Fever.
Education, research, and improved clinical treatment are the missions of the Valley Fever Center for Excellence. Lisa Shubitz, DVM, frequently engages in talks and seminars for both veterinary care groups and dog owners. Dog clubs, rescue organizations, and the Tucson Public Library are among the groups to whom she has given seminars.
Research is the backbone of medical advances that improve clinical treatment. Vaccines, drugs, better diagnostic tests, and understanding host responses are topics under current study at the Valley Fever Center. There is an active study underway testing the efficacy of a new Valley Fever drug, nikkomycin Z, in dogs with Valley Fever pneumonia. Other studies that might benefit dogs in the future include testing combinations of drugs, and determining absorption of various formulations of the drug itraconazole.
The Veterinary Specialty Center of Tucson is the hub of clinical Valley Fever research involving companion animals in southern Arizona. VSCOT supports the research by providing hospital facilities where animals can be involved in studies of treatments or new diagnostic tests for Valley Fever. Diagnostic studies occurring at VSCOT at this time:
Pathogene - Study to determine if Valley Fever can be detected in sick dogs by testing saliva. This study is very simple to be enrolled in. The dog chews a cotton swab to wet it with saliva and the veterinarian draws a blood sample. The owner signs a consent form and the saliva and blood samples are sent to Pathogene for analysis. There is no direct benefit to the dog or owner, but overall results could improve diagnostics in dogs and people in the future.
Mira Vista Labs - Study to determine if Valley Fever can be detected in sick dogs by testing urine. This study is very simple to be enrolled in. The veterinarian collects urine and blood from the dog. The owner signs a consent form and the urine and blood are sent to Mira Vista Labs for analysis. There is no direct benefit to the dog or owner but overall results could improve diagnostics in dogs and people in the future.
Education, research, and improved clinical treatment are the missions of the Valley Fever Center for Excellence. Lisa Shubitz, DVM, frequently engages in talks and seminars for both veterinary care groups and dog owners. Dog clubs, rescue organizations, and the Tucson Public Library are among the groups to whom she has given seminars.
Research is the backbone of medical advances that improve clinical treatment. Vaccines, drugs, better diagnostic tests, and understanding host responses are topics under current study at the Valley Fever Center. There is an active study underway testing the efficacy of a new Valley Fever drug, nikkomycin Z, in dogs with Valley Fever pneumonia. Other studies that might benefit dogs in the future include testing combinations of drugs, and determining absorption of various formulations of the drug itraconazole.
The Veterinary Specialty Center of Tucson is the hub of clinical Valley Fever research involving companion animals in southern Arizona. VSCOT supports the research by providing hospital facilities where animals can be involved in studies of treatments or new diagnostic tests for Valley Fever. Diagnostic studies occurring at VSCOT at this time:
Pathogene - Study to determine if Valley Fever can be detected in sick dogs by testing saliva. This study is very simple to be enrolled in. The dog chews a cotton swab to wet it with saliva and the veterinarian draws a blood sample. The owner signs a consent form and the saliva and blood samples are sent to Pathogene for analysis. There is no direct benefit to the dog or owner, but overall results could improve diagnostics in dogs and people in the future.
Mira Vista Labs - Study to determine if Valley Fever can be detected in sick dogs by testing urine. This study is very simple to be enrolled in. The veterinarian collects urine and blood from the dog. The owner signs a consent form and the urine and blood are sent to Mira Vista Labs for analysis. There is no direct benefit to the dog or owner but overall results could improve diagnostics in dogs and people in the future.
Valley Fever in Cats
Cats get Valley Fever, though it is diagnosed much less frequently than in dogs. We estimate that there is 1 cat case for every 50 dog cases. Diagnosis strategies are similar to dogs, and the same medications are used for treatment. While a great deal of the information for dogs applies to cats, there are several ways in which Valley Fever in cats differs.
Symptoms
Non-healing skin lesions are the most common symptom of Valley Fever in cats, rather than coughing and lameness as in dogs. The lesions may look like abscesses, draining tracts, or dermatitis. They can occur in almost any site and usually ooze a pale yellow to reddish fluid.
Please support Companion Animal research!
The Valley Fever Companion Animal Fund was started to raise money to improve the lives of pets with Valley Fever through clinical research. This research is community based, meaning animals in Tucson, Phoenix, Casa Grande, and other areas with Valley Fever, are enrolled in studies that will benefit sick pets or increase our understanding of how Valley Fever makes them sick. To see an example of a community-based study we completed, read the Incidence of Infection Study Results.
To contribute to this important work, please make checks payable to:
Valley Fever Companion Animal Fund
Your generous donations are tax deductible. UA tax ID# 74-2652689
Please mail contributions to:
Valley Fever Center for Excellence
Medical Research Building, Room 124
1656 E. Mabel St.
P.O. Box 245215
Tucson, Arizona 85724
You also can contribute to Arizona Victims of Valley Fever--our tax exempt #86-6050388.
Cats get Valley Fever, though it is diagnosed much less frequently than in dogs. We estimate that there is 1 cat case for every 50 dog cases. Diagnosis strategies are similar to dogs, and the same medications are used for treatment. While a great deal of the information for dogs applies to cats, there are several ways in which Valley Fever in cats differs.
Symptoms
Non-healing skin lesions are the most common symptom of Valley Fever in cats, rather than coughing and lameness as in dogs. The lesions may look like abscesses, draining tracts, or dermatitis. They can occur in almost any site and usually ooze a pale yellow to reddish fluid.
- Symptoms in cats may be as vague as unexplained weight loss, but can also include lack of appetite, fever, lack of activity, rapid or difficult breathing, coughing, limping, or changes in behavior.
- Cats are often sicker than dogs at the time of diagnosis. They seem to hide illness well until it is advanced.
- While diagnosis in dogs is frequently by blood tests, biopsy of non-healing skin lesions is a very common way the disease is diagnosed in cats.
- The Valley Fever blood test is used in cats just as it is in dogs. However, the veterinarian needs to have a suspicion of the disease to order the test.
- Chest x-rays are worthwhile in cats that aren't coughing but are suspected to have Valley Fever. Lung lesions were found in more than 80% of cats that died of Valley Fever, even if they did not have respiratory signs when they were taken to the vet. Cats with Valley Fever may have respiratory signs that include difficulty breathing, rapid breathing, or coughing.
- The antifungal medications that are used to treat Valley Fever in cats are the same ones used in dogs. There is less known about adverse effects in cats, except that literature reports that their livers are more sensitive to ketoconazole, and clinical experience reported to me by my colleagues suggest that they can tolerate high doses of fluconazole. Sporanox liquid is a good choice in cats that need this medication and it should be administered on an empty stomach.
- Cats that have severe appetite suppression from the Valley Fever or from the medication will benefit from surgical placement of a feeding tube so they do not develop fatty liver disease.
- No herbs or supplements should be given without the guidance of a veterinarian. Cats have a much different metabolism than dogs and what might be harmless in a dog could prove very toxic to a cat.
Please support Companion Animal research!
The Valley Fever Companion Animal Fund was started to raise money to improve the lives of pets with Valley Fever through clinical research. This research is community based, meaning animals in Tucson, Phoenix, Casa Grande, and other areas with Valley Fever, are enrolled in studies that will benefit sick pets or increase our understanding of how Valley Fever makes them sick. To see an example of a community-based study we completed, read the Incidence of Infection Study Results.
To contribute to this important work, please make checks payable to:
Valley Fever Companion Animal Fund
Your generous donations are tax deductible. UA tax ID# 74-2652689
Please mail contributions to:
Valley Fever Center for Excellence
Medical Research Building, Room 124
1656 E. Mabel St.
P.O. Box 245215
Tucson, Arizona 85724
You also can contribute to Arizona Victims of Valley Fever--our tax exempt #86-6050388.
