Although the treatment is prolonged, dogs usually begin to feel better within
1-2 weeks
after the treatment begins.
How fast does Valley Fever progress?
Symptoms of Valley fever may appear
between 1 and 3 weeks
after a person breathes in the fungal spores. Rash (erythema nodosum) due to Valley fever. How long do the symptoms last? The symptoms of Valley fever usually last for a few weeks to a few months.
How long can a dog live with Valley Fever?
Dogs with disseminated infection
As with lung infections, the majority of dogs with disseminated disease respond well to medication and lead normal lives, though they often require prolonged drug treatment (
12-18 months
).
Can dogs recover from Valley Fever without treatment?
Valley Fever
requires long-term treatment
. Dogs are typically given anti-fungal medications for at least six months to a year, but some may need extended or even life-long treatment to prevent relapses.
What are early signs of Valley Fever in dogs?
- coughing.
- fever.
- weight loss.
- lack of appetite.
- lack of energy.
Does Valley Fever cause pain in dogs?
Although healthy adult dogs may experience no symptoms of valley fever,
puppies, senior dogs and dogs with a compromised immune system may experience symptoms ranging from coughing to painful joints
.
How do dogs catch Valley Fever?
Dogs and other animals mainly acquire Valley Fever by
inhaling these fungal spores in the dust and air
. The dog may inhale only a few spores or many hundreds. Once inhaled, the spores grow into spherules which continue to enlarge until they burst, releasing hundreds of endospores.
Can Valley Fever cause limping in dogs?
In dogs, the bones of the legs are most commonly affected, but it can affect any organ.
Some signs of disseminated Valley Fever include: Limping or swellings in the legs
. Seizures or other signs of neurologic disease, like back or neck pain and weakness.
What do you feed a dog with Valley Fever?
While some dogs eat reasonably well with Valley Fever, others shun food entirely. These patients need extra nutritional care, such as
hand-feeding highly palatable food (e.g. cooked meats), placement of a feeding tube, or medication to reduce nausea and vomiting or stimulate appetite
.
What are the side effects of Valley Fever in dogs?
The side effects that are common to all of them are:
Loss of appetite
is the most common and may be severe in some dogs. Vomiting and/or diarrhea. Elevated liver enzymes – monitored with regular testing of your dog's blood by your veterinarian.
Is Valley Fever contagious in dogs?
Is Valley Fever contagious from animal to animal or animal to human?
Valley Fever is considered a noncontagious disease
. Even if multiple animals or humans are affected in a household, each infection was acquired by inhaling spores from the soil. Coughing cannot spread it between animals or people.
How do you get rid of a dog's fever?
To reduce fever in dogs,
apply a towel or cloth soaked in cool water to your dog's ears and paws and run a fan near your dog
. Stop applying the water when your dog's temperature drops below 103 F. Continue to monitor your dog closely to ensure that the fever doesn't return.
How much does it cost to treat Valley Fever in dogs?
Fluconazole, the medication used to treat it in pets, isn't cheap.
For smaller dogs, it can cost about $50 a month, but for the big dogs, it can blow past $150 a month
. Plus, the high cost for valley fever blood test – average around $200 – causes some infected pet owners to never have their furry friends tested.
How can the initial Valley Fever get worse?
The fungus that causes valley fever lives in soil in the U.S. desert Southwest and parts of Mexico, Central America and South America.
Inhaling the fungus' airborne spores
can cause flu-like symptoms that can turn into pneumonia, meningitis or even worse.
How can I tell if my dogs lymph nodes are swollen?
Lymph nodes are not easily found in dogs and cats if they are normal in size. However, enlarged or swollen lymph nodes are often easily found, and
feel like firm, oval or round swellings under the skin
. The diagram below outlines the most common locations on the body where enlarged lymph nodes may be felt.
