My Arizona dog caught valley fever. Yours probably will, too

Key Points:

• Valley fever, a fungal infection caused by inhaling spores common in desert soils, affects 6-10% of dogs annually in some Arizona counties, with symptoms including coughing, limping, lethargy, and loss of appetite.
• Dogs are particularly susceptible due to behaviors like digging and sniffing, which increase spore inhalation, and certain breeds such as Boxers and German Shepherds are more prone to severe illness.
• Diagnosis in dogs tends to be more prompt than in humans because veterinarians in Arizona commonly consider valley fever when dogs present respiratory or orthopedic symptoms.
• Treatment typically involves a long course of fluconazole, which is generally well-tolerated but requires monitoring for side effects like liver issues and gastrointestinal upset.
• A vaccine for valley fever in dogs is in late-stage development and shows promise for reducing infection severity or preventing disease, with hopes it will be approved within the next year and potentially pave the way for a human vaccine.