Is there a valley fever vaccine for dogs?
Valley fever is a fungal infection that leads to disease not only in humans, but also dogs and other species, including llamas and alpacas. There is currently no vaccine for Valley fever, partly because the antigen is poorly expressed in microbial systems, leading to a high cost of production.
Is there a preventative for Valley Fever in dogs?
Currently, there is no sure fire way to prevent Valley Fever in pets short of never residing in or traveling through the areas where the fungus grows. Valley Fever endemic areas are among the fastest growing regions in the country, which makes encounters of animals and people with the fungus a likely event.
How long does it take to treat Valley fever in dogs?
Courses of medication are usually extensive, averaging 6-12 months. Dogs with disseminated disease in bones, skin, or internal organs usually require longer courses of medication. Central nervous system (brain or spinal cord) involvement frequently requires lifetime treatment with medication to keep symptoms from recurring.
What kind of disease is Valley fever in dogs?
Valley Fever in Dogs. What is Valley Fever? Valley Fever is a disease caused by a fungus known as Coccidiodes immitis. Although the proper name for this disease is “coccidioidomycosis”, it is most often called Valley Fever, “California disease”, “Desert rheumatism”, or “San Joaquin Valley Fever”.
How much does a valley fever X-ray cost?
Costs of a dog X-ray will vary depending on your vet’s pricing scale, as well as the size of your dog and if it needs to be sedated. An X-ray of a dog typically costs between $40 for a small dog that doesn’t need sedation and $200 for a large dog that needs sedation. Ask your vet about an antifungal medication to treat Valley Fever.
Can a pregnant dog take a valley fever medication?
An individual dog may have a bad liver reaction to any of these drugs, but most tolerate them well. Your veterinarian will monitor your dog’s liver enzymes. These medications should only be used in pregnant dogs when the benefits to the mother outweigh the risk to the developing puppies.
What should I do if my dog has Valley fever?
At the present time, dogs that develop valley fever require lengthy treatment with antifungal medications. The duration of treatment will depend on the severity of infection. In many cases treatment will be required for 6-12 months. If the fungus has invaded the nervous system,…
How much does Valley fever cost a dog?
Well, dogs can get Valley Fever too, so I wanted you to know the areas where it’s common. The University of Arizona Valley Fever Center for Excellence estimates that Valley Fever costs Arizona dog owners about $60 million a year. That’s partly because the conventional drugs are so expensive and treatment lasts a long time (more about that later).
What kind of animal can get Valley fever?
Valley fever tends to occur during certain seasons. What species can be infected with valley fever? This disease is common in humans, and has been isolated in dogs, cattle, horses, deer, elk, mules, llamas, apes, monkeys, kangaroos, wallabies, tigers, bears, badgers, otters, fish, and marine mammals.
Can you give amphotericin B to a dog with Valley fever?
Newer lipid-based formulations of amphotericin B (brand names: Abelcet, Ambisome) have a much lower likelihood of damaging the kidneys and are mainly used in dogs that are either very ill with Valley Fever or are not recovering on oral medication.
