Pet Owner Basics: How to Recognize and Treat Valley Fever

Dogs can provide you with lots of happiness and love. They are always there for anyone, whether they want to play, go on walks, or require a hug. The bond between a dog and its owner is an amazing thing. To maintain the bond you have with your pet, make sure you know any potential dangers and signs that indicate your dog isn’t feeling well. While many ailments and injuries can affect pets’ health, the symptoms of valley fever are a reason to be concerned.

What is valley fever?

Valley fever refers to an illness caused by the fungal Coccidioides Immitis. Although the term used to describe the condition is coccidioidomycosis, they call it valley fever, California diseases, desert rheumatism, and San Joaquin valley fever. If your pet has valley fever, you can browse several websites or talk to veterinary professionals to learn more about the condition.

What kinds of animals can valley fever infect?

It can affect dogs, cattle, deer, horses, mules, elk, monkeys, apes, and kangaroos. It can also affect wallabies, kan badgers, tigers, marine mammals, and humans.

The dogs are particularly susceptible to the valley fever infection probably because they sniff around the ground and dig into the dirt, possibly inhaling large quantities of spores in one go. 

What are the symptoms of valley fever in dogs?

When dogs inhale spores, it causes inflammation of the lung. The lungs expand into larger structures referred to as spherules. In the case of a healthy immune system, healthy dogs will protect the living organisms within the spherules, and there won’t be complications. The signs of illness are generally moderate in these instances, and the dog will not show signs of disease.

Dogs who have a weak immune system because they are old or have a health problem are more likely to get sick. Therefore, young puppies and senior dogs are more vulnerable to valley fever. 

In these cases, the spherules continue to expand and then explode to release more infectious bacteria into the lungs and other organs in the body. The cycle continues for a long time. The symptoms of valley fever in dogs manifest in two ways as a primary disease or disseminated disease.

The disease only affects the lungs. A dry, sour cough and fever, a loss of appetite, lethargy, and depression are all signs of the primary form of valley fever. The symptoms typically appear within three weeks of infection. However, the organism may remain dormant for as long as three years before symptoms manifest.

The fungus is dispersing or has spread across other parts of the body of disseminated diseases. The most frequent sites of inflammation are joints and bones, and lameness is among the most frequent signs. Joints may become swollen and then become painful. Other symptoms could include low appetite, fatigue, depression, persistent fever, and weight loss. Eye infections can trigger inflammation and, in the most severe cases, even blindness. In rare instances, the fungus may infect the brain and cause seizures. If your pet requires immediate assistance, you need to contact the emergency vet clinic.

What is the treatment for valley fever?

The veterinarian will discover the typical treatment plan of valley fever by the extent to which the illness has advanced. Your vet will collect blood samples and perhaps scans for x-rays to identify your pet’s condition. After that, they’ll determine the best treatment and timeframe for care. It is almost always possible to combat valley fever with antifungal medicine, and it lasts up to the end of time, depending on how far the condition has advanced. 

The earlier you can recognize and catch the disease, the less time you’ll need to devote to treatment. If you don’t know if your pet has it, you can click this link to consult with a trusted veterinarian to diagnose your pet.

Conclusion 

Remember that your dog demands continuous care and love. Always be alert for signs of an emergency, like valley fever, to ensure that your dog has pleasant well-being. Make two visits to your veterinarian each year. However, make sure to keep a local animal clinic and emergency vet in your thoughts whenever you need to.

Maintain a constant dialogue with your veterinarian regarding risks and vital signs to watch out for when you encounter situations like valley fever in dogs. Pets have special bonds with us so we must love and protect our dogs.