Valley Fever Testing for Your Pet at Home
Now Available in Tucson and Phoenix!
Same Veterinary Lab Tests Performed in Our Veterinary Labs
"It’s estimated that 60,000 dogs contract Valley Fever every year in what’s known as the 'Valley Fever Corridor' between Phoenix and Tucson, Arizona, and the numbers are probably similar for Bakersfield and other parts of the Central Valley."
Valley Fever Institute - 2020 Kaiser Health News
You can now test your dog or cat for Valley Fever from home in Tucson and Phoenix!
News about Valley Fever in Pets
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Facts about Valley Fever (coccidioidomycosis) in Dogs and Cats
If Valley Fever is diagnosed early, treatment is more likely to succeed and cost less.
Lisa Shubitz, a research scientist in the School of Animal and Comparative Biomedical Sciences at University of Arizona, told the East Valley Tribune that she treats about 25 dogs to every one cat suspected of Valley Fever.
Unfortunately for dogs in Arizona, Shubitz says about all of them are exposed to the fungus that causes Valley Fever.
Once a dog or cat is exposed by inhaling the tiny fungal spores, the fungus transforms into spherules, which eventually burst, creating a lifecycle of new spherules developing in the lungs.
The good news is about 70% of dogs successfully fight the fungus with their immune systems. The bad news is that about a third will develop Valley Fever and require antifungal medication.
If diagnosed early, most dogs will have a 6 to 12-month recovery. Unfortunately, some dogs may require medication for the rest of their lives.
Fortunately, the fungus is rarely deadly, although there’s currently no cure or vaccination. Sadly, Valley Fever often has a severe effect on an infected pet's quality of life and can be costly to treat, especially when diagnosed late in the disease course. Testing and early diagnosis is key to successful outcomes.
The Valley Fever Center for Excellence in Tucson estimates Arizona dog owners spend $60 million per year treating Valley Fever.
Testing, the only way to diagnose Valley Fever early, has been costly in the past. The Valley Fever Center for Excellence reports the tests average around $200 in Tucson and Phoenix.
Affordable Pet Labs wants to help more concerned pet owners care for their dogs and cats by providing affordable and convenient Valley Fever testing from where their pet's are most comfortable - at home.
Common Symptoms of Valley Fever in Dogs and Cats
Signs of primary Valley Fever include:
- harsh dry cough
- fever
- lack of appetite
- lethargy or depression
These signs typically develop about three weeks after infection. In rare cases, the fungus may take up to three years to cause clinical signs.
Approximately 6-10% of dogs living in Pima, Pinal, and Maricopa counties in Arizona will become sick with Valley Fever each year.
(College of Medicine Tucson, Valley Fever Center of Excellence)
Symptoms of Disseminated Valley Fever in Dogs and Cats
Disseminated Valley Fever is a much more serious and potentially life-threatening complication. In these cases, the fungus has spread throughout the body.
A dog or cat's bones and joints are most commonly infected, and sudden, often severe, lameness is the most common clinical sign. The joints may become swollen and painful.
Other symptoms are usually vague and non-specific:
- lack of appetite
- lethargy or depression
- persistent fever
- weight loss
Infection may also affect the eyes, causing inflammation and even blindness. In rare cases, the fungus attacks the brain, resulting in seizures or brain damage.
