However, Valley Fever can occur in almost any bone or organ of dogs. Signs of disseminated Valley Fever can include:
lameness or swelling of limbs
. back or neck pain, with or without weakness/paralysis.
Does Valley Fever cause joint pain?
Most people who get Valley fever develop symptoms like fatigue, cough, and fever, but
about 1 in 5 people develop joint pain like Sabine did
. This form is sometimes called “desert rheumatism” because of where the fungus that causes Valley fever lives.
Does Valley Fever affect bones?
Valley fever is an airborne fungal infection. It starts in the lungs, and
if not treated, it spreads to the bones and destroys them
.
How long does it take for a dog to recover from Valley Fever?
Typically antifungal medications will need to be administered for 6-12 months, with an improvement in symptoms often being seen within
a couple of weeks
. When valley fever has spread to other parts of the body, your dog may need to continue taking antifungal medications for life.
Does Valley Fever in dogs cause limping?
The most common symptom of disseminated disease in dogs is lameness; the fungus has a predilection for infecting bones of the legs in dogs. However, Valley Fever can occur in almost any bone or organ of dogs.
Signs of disseminated Valley Fever can include: lameness or swelling of limbs
.
Can dogs pass Valley Fever to other dogs?
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 common is valley fever in dogs?
Approximately 6-10% of dogs living in Pima, Pinal, and Maricopa counties in Arizona will become sick with Valley Fever each year
. The rate of illness in other Valley Fever endemic locations is not known, but it is lower most places than central and southern Arizona. Not all dogs who breathe in spores become sick.
How do you prevent valley fever in dogs?
Preventing exposure to valley fever spores
is the best way to protect your dog. If you live in a region where valley fever is a risk, you should keep your dog indoors more than outdoors.
Can valley fever flare up again?
If you've already had Valley fever, your immune system will most likely protect you from getting it again.
Some people can have the infection come back again (a relapse) after getting better the first time, but this is very rare
.
What is dog lameness?
Lameness refers to
an inability to properly use one or more limbs
. It is most often associated with pain or injury. The most common causes of acute or sudden lameness in dogs are soft tissue injury (strain or sprain), injury to a joint, bone fracture, or dislocation.
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
.
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.
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.
How do you test for Valley Fever in dogs?
A Valley Fever test, Cocci test, or Cocci titer checks the blood to see if your dog is making antibodies against the Valley Fever fungus
. If the test is positive, it means your dog has been infected with the fungus. If the Valley Fever test is positive, the laboratory then performs a titer.
What are the long term effects of Valley Fever?
Common symptoms include fatigue, cough, fever, shortness of breath, headache, night sweats, muscle aches, joint pain, and rash. Those who experience severe and long-lasting symptoms may also experience
long-term lung problems
. In the most severe cases, coccidioidomycosis can be fatal.
