Valley fever---Coccidioidomycosis---affects dogs and people in the low areas of Arizona and New Mexico, in southwestern Texas, and in the central desert regions of California. Dogs are more susceptible to the disease than people because they are closer to the ground, where the infectious spores are found. Antifungal medications are the only known remedies for treating the disease, and so far no homeopathic remedy is known to cure valley fever in dogs. However, you may wish to discuss homeopathic supportive care with your veterinarian or a homeopathic veterinarian.
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Causes
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Valley fever is caused by inhaling soil-dwelling spores that cause a fungal infection. When the soil containing the fungus is disturbed or the dust is raised, the spores may be inhaled. Dogs, people, cats, and other animals can contract the disease. However, valley fever is not contagious person to person, dog to dog, or from dog to person.
Symptoms
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A dog may become infected with valley fever and have no symptoms. There may be only mild symptoms, such as a slight respiratory inflammation. The dog may experience a dry cough, fever, depression and lack of appetite. Many dogs will recover with no treatment. However, for a few dogs, such as puppies, older dogs and dogs with weakened immune systems, the infection becomes more severe and spreads through the lungs to invade other organs with the fungal infection. When valley fever reaches this point, the dog will likely die if she is not treated. Additional symptoms may include lameness, lack of appetite, lethargy, persistent fever, weight loss, swollen lymph nodes and eye inflammation. The infection may reach the brain and cause seizures.
Diagnosis
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The veterinarian will diagnose your dog based upon symptoms as well as the history you provide. If you have recently traveled with your pet to the areas where valley fever is known to live in the soil, it's important to tell your veterinarian this information as well as to inform the doctor about the prevalence of valley fever in the region. The doctor will likely order additional blood tests to measure levels of antibodies in your dog's body. There may also be X-rays of your pet's chest, bones and joints.
Treatment
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The only known treatment for valley fever is a lengthy and expensive administration of antifungal medications. The medications will likely be prescribed for six to 12 months and may be necessary for the remainder of your pet's life if the dog's brain or spine is infected. The least expensive option is ketoconazole, which is given orally with food twice a day. Side effects of this drug are loss of appetite, vomiting and, rarely, liver problems. Newer antifungal drugs, such as itraconazole and fluconazole, may have fewer side effects but are also more expensive.
Supportive and Homeopathic Care
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While there is no known homeopathic remedy for valley fever, homeopathic medicine addresses the dog's entire health and may be helpful in boosting your dog's immune system and quality of life during conventional treatment.
Supportive care for dogs undergoing treatment for valley fever include administering cough suppressants, pain and fever relief and nutritional support. A multivitamin supplement and doses of vitamin C may help bolster your dog's immune system. Addressing your dog's nutritional needs is especially important during treatment for valley fever because many dogs lose their appetite during the illness.
The use of herbs, acupuncture and other common homeopathic remedies has not been scientifically tested in the treatment of valley fever. Consult your veterinarian or a homeopathic veterinarian if you wish to try them in your dog's care.
Prevention
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If you are in a region where spores causing valley fever are known to exist in the soil, avoid activities that generate dust. Do not allow your dog to dig or sniff at rodent holes. Keep dogs inside as much as possible. Consider yard cover, such as grass or deep gravel, which keeps dust at a minimum. A vaccine to prevent or lessen the illness caused by valley fever is under development but is not yet available.
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