How do I protect my dog from Valley Fever?
Things you can do to reduce the likelihood of your dog’s exposure to the fungus: Avoid activities that generate dust, reduce digging behavior by dogs, prevent sniffing in rodent holes, and keep dogs indoors more than outdoors.
How can you prevent Valley Fever?
How can I prevent Valley fever?
- Try to avoid areas with a lot of dust like construction or excavation sites.
- Stay inside during dust storms and close your windows.
- Avoid activities that involve close contact to dirt or dust, including yard work, gardening, and digging.
- Use air filtration measures indoors.
Is there a shot to prevent Valley Fever in dogs?
Great progress has been made in the last two years toward making a dog vaccine available to help prevent Valley Fever in dogs.
Can you treat your yard for Valley Fever?
Valley Fever is almost always treated through antifungal medication, and based on how far the disease has progressed, it can last anywhere from 6 months to a lifetime. The earlier you catch this disease, the shorter treatment will typically have to last.
What are early signs of valley fever in dogs?
The most common early symptoms of primary pulmonary Valley Fever in dogs:
- coughing.
- fever.
- weight loss.
- lack of appetite.
- lack of energy.
How long does it take fluconazole to work for valley fever in dogs?
The most commonly prescribed medications are ketoconazole (brand name Nizoral®), itraconazole (brand names Itrafungol® and Sporanox®), and fluconazole (brand name Diflucan®). Although the treatment is prolonged, dogs usually begin to feel better within 1-2 weeks after the treatment begins.
What time of the year is Valley fever most common?
Valley Fever typically peaks in late fall and early winter with a minor peak from June to August (refer to the 2007-2011 Valley Fever Report). Those who’ve been in Arizona for a while may know that Valley Fever is a lung infection caused by a fungus that is common in the soil here.
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).
How common is valley fever in Arizona?
Valley fever, also known as desert rheumatism or San Joaquin Valley fever, is Arizona’s disease. While rare at a national level, Valley fever is common in the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. Every year, 150,000 people in the U.S. are infected, and Arizona is home to two-thirds of them.
What are early signs of Valley Fever in dogs?
How to prevent Valley fever in dogs?
For example, keep your dog indoors as much as is practical and leash walk him on paved sidewalks. But should your dog develop Valley Fever, you do not have to worry about her passing the disease on to you or to other pets.
How much does it cost to treat Valley fever in dogs?
Antifungal therapy in particular is the most costly part of treatment. Three common antifungal drugs are used for valley fever: fluconazole, ketoconazole, and itraconazole. Of the three, fluconazole is the most costly and can run you up to $20 a pill. However, it also shows the best results in most dogs.
How do you test for Valley fever in dogs?
The most common way to test for Valley Fever is with a titer—a test that measures the level of antibodies against Coccidiodes within a blood sample. In other words, a titer test determines whether or not a dog has been exposed to Coccidiodes.