Can a dog recover from Valley Fever?

November 5, 2020
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Can a dog recover from Valley Fever? Can valley fever in dogs be cured? When diagnosed and treated early, many dogs recover well from valley fever. Dogs diagnosed with valley fever after the disease has spread to other parts of the body are more challenging to treat, and in some cases the disease becomes life-threatening.

How do you get rid of Valley Fever in dogs? 

Oral antifungal medication in the form of twice daily pills or capsules is the usual treatment for Valley Fever.

There are three common medications used to treat Valley Fever in dogs:

  1. Fluconazole (Diflucan)
  2. Itraconazole (Sporanox)
  3. Ketoconazole (Nizoral)

How did my dog get Valley Fever? The strands are very delicate, and when the soil is disturbed – by digging, walking, construction, high winds – the strands break apart into tiny individual spores called arthroconidia or arthrospores. Dogs and other animals mainly acquire Valley Fever by inhaling these fungal spores in the dust and air.

How Long Does Valley Fever last in dogs? 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.

Can a dog recover from Valley Fever? – Additional Questions

Is a dog with Valley Fever contagious to other dogs?

Is Valley Fever contagious between pets? Valley Fever in dogs and cats is not contagious between pets, and can only be contracted through the inhalation of spores.

How much does it cost to treat a dog with Valley Fever?

The cost of 60 205-mg tablets is $43.16 plus shipping.

How long does it take to get rid of Valley fever?

Individuals who are otherwise healthy will normally recover completely within 6 months. In patients with severe symptoms, complete recovery may take up to a year. Fatigue and joint pains may persist for longer.

How long does Valley fever last?

The symptoms of Valley fever usually last for a few weeks to a few months. However, some patients have symptoms that last longer than this, especially if the infection becomes severe. Approximately 5 to 10% of people who get Valley fever will develop serious or long-term problems in their lungs.

Can Valley fever go away on its own?

Mild cases of valley fever usually resolve on their own. In more-severe cases, doctors treat the infection with antifungal medications.

What happens if Valley fever goes untreated?

Without treatment, valley fever that has spread beyond the lungs is usually fatal. In low-risk patients, the form that is limited to the lungs usually does not require treatment. Treatment may include: Antifungal drugs, such as fluconazole or amphotericin B.

How do I get rid of Valley fever in my yard?

Management and Treatment

In many cases of Valley fever, no treatment is necessary because symptoms disappear on their own. People with more serious infections may need antifungal medications to cure the infection.

How do they test for Valley fever in dogs?

In addition to examining your dog, your veterinarian is very likely to order diagnostic tests to help identify the Valley Fever infection.

Common tests include:

  1. Valley Fever blood test (also called cocci test, cocci serology, or cocci titer)
  2. general blood tests and blood cell counts.
  3. chest x-rays.
  4. bone and joint x-rays.

Is there a vaccination for Valley fever in dogs?

The study found that Valley fever was prevented or greatly reduced in dogs that received an initial vaccine followed by a booster 28 days later. Any disease symptoms that were seen were so mild as to be clinically irrelevant.

Can Valley fever cause blindness in dogs?

Coccidiomycosis can cause a wide variety of clinical signs in different body systems, which may include the following: Eyes: Redness, cloudiness, discharge, swelling, squinting, elevation of the third eyelid, protrusion or enlargement of the eye, and blindness may occur.

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