My dog has Valley Fever: What is it, how serious, and is it curable?

Question

I am looking to adopt a dog, however he has Valley fever. Since I am from Mass., I have no idea what this is-is it curable? How serious is it? Pet's info: Dog | Yorkshire Terrier | Male | neutered | 9 lbs

Amy S. Eutsey, DVM · Accepted Answer

Hello. Valley Fever is a fungal infection that typically originated in southwestern United States. Dogs contract it by inhaling spores from the fungus which lives in the soil. There are different prognoses for Valley Fever depending on how severe or advanced the infection is. If it is isolated to the respiratory tract, lungs...the prognosis is good but requires long term treatment ....usually 6-12 months of oral antifungal medications. If the infection has settled in bones , lymph nodes or internal organs require treatment for up to a few years and the prognosis is guarded. The most advanced form involves the brain and/or spinal cord. This can require lifelong treatment. The medications are somewhat expensive and can have side effects. Your veterinarian may periodically want to do bloodwork to make sure the medication is not causing problems such as liver disease. This is not a quick fix disease and it would be important to know how advanced this dog’s infection is so you can plan on the future expenses and treatment plan. Best of luck in your adoption process. Thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach

My dog has Valley Fever: What is it, how serious, and is it curable?

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