Fwd: [GRCGLArescue] Heads up on Valley Fever - fw from AZ Rescue

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Heads up on fungal infections in pets!

For the Love of Goldens

Valley Fever Information

came to us on Nov. 30, 2003. He had valley fever. did not fit

his name....he couldn't walk. The valley fever had ravaged his body, and

disseminated into his bone. His left hind leg had a kind of paralysis and he

could

not " rest " it, and it remain fixed close to the side of his body. 's

valley fever titer at intake was 1:32.He now, walks, runs, plays in the pool

(but

doesn't swim), his titer is now 1:16. will always be on valley fever

medication because of the bone lesions throughout his legs, but we see

improvement in him everyday. The lesions have significantly reduced, and has

much less

pain in his bones.

He says " thanks " every single day, and this family loves him very much.

Valley Fever Coccidioides immitis, which grows in soils in areas of low

rainfall, high summer temperatures, and moderate winter temperatures. These

fungal

spores become airborne when the soil is disturbed by winds, construction,

farming and other activities. In animals, infection occurs when a spore is

inhaled. Valley Fever is not a " contagious " disease.

Valley Fever Information and Links

Valley Fever (Coccidioidomycosis) is primarily a disease of the lungs that is

common in the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico. It is

caused by the fungus Coccidioides immitis, which grows in soils in areas of low

rainfall, high summer temperatures, and moderate winter temperatures. These

fungal spores become airborne when the soil is disturbed by winds, construction,

farming and other activities. In susceptible people and animals, infection

occurs when a spore is inhaled. Within the lung, the spore changes into a

larger,

multicellular structure called a spherule. The spherule grows and bursts,

releasing endospores which develop into spherules. Valley Fever symptoms

generally

occur within three weeks of exposure. Valley Fever is not a " contagious "

disease, meaning it is not passed from person to person or dog to dog. Secondary

infections are rare.

The population of Phoenix are seeing an increase in the number of people

contracting Valley Fever. We have also noticed an increase in the number of dogs

that come in to Rescue. RAGOFAZ tests all dogs that come in to Rescue for

Valley Fever, as it is much easier to cure the illness in the early stages. Each

dog that tests positive will receive medication and any testing needed at

RAGofAZ expense for 6 months. RAGOFAZ requests further medications and testing

to be

done by the new adoptive family. Sometimes this may be 6 months, but

effective treatment may take up to 2 years.

In our experience, most of the dogs on any of the medications listed below to

treat the disease go through a difficult time eating. Yet, they must eat, to

digest the medication. If your dog is getting fussy eating, allow him to eat

anything that he will, even if this means making him soups (no salts please),

hamburger, chicken, beef, pasta, whatever he/she will eat. The medication will

upset their tummies, but it will pass after awhile. Some dogs respond well to

steamed liver or beef heart.

Symptoms may include but are not limited to: unwillingness to eat, nausea,

lethargy, fever, sometimes lameness, lesions or seizures and sometimes kidney

and liver damage.

Something else we have found is that the drugs are not as effective if taken

with any type of dairy product or yogurt. If your dog has cottage cheese, or

yogurt on a regular basis, be sure to space the feeding at least 2 hours away

from ingestion of the medicine.

Special care should be taken during the process to monitor for liver

functions as these medications can be detrimental to liver functions.

Supplements that

may help your pet during the disease cycle are listed below. Be sure to

discuss efficacy and dosage with your vet should you decide to use any of these:

Vitamins that help your pet during the disease cycle:

Milk Thistle - to protect the liver (140-160 mg 2 x daily)

Vitamin C (in form of scorbate) - to help boost the immune system

Desert Pure Yucca - if dog has joint problems (i.e., has gone to the bones)

Seameal - if dog has joint problems (same as above)

Selenium and Vitamin E - natural antioxidant

Beta-carotene - For those owners who feed their pets homemade diets, or who

supplement their pets diets with raw or lightly steamed vegetables, dark green

and orange-yellow vegetables are good sources of beta-carotene. These include

carrots, sweet potatoes, squash, spinach, romaine lettuce, broccoli, apricots,

and green peppers.

LINKS

Coccidioidomycosis

Valley Fever Center for Excellence

Do Dogs Get Valley Fever

Sulfur Treatment

DRUGS TO TREAT VALLEY FEVER

Fluconazole (brand name commonly known as Diflucan) (***see below)

Ketoconazole (brand name most commonly known as Nizoral

Itraconozole (brand name most commonly known as Sporanox

***The drug Diflucan, know by its generic name, fluconazole, went off patent

this year. Within the last month, US generic fluconazole has become available

and is very affordable at Costco and possibly other discount pharmacies, such

as Target or Walmart. Next time you need a refill, talk to your vet about a

prescription for US-made generic instead of compounded fluconazole. It is

available in 50, 100, 150, and 200 mg tablets and the prices are quite

comparable to

the compounded medication for many doses that dogs routinely take.

GROUP TO DISCUSS VALLEY FEVER WITH OTHERS LIKE YOURSELF

To subscribe write an email to: valleyfeverpets-subscribe

A place to share information as to what meds & supplements may have worked for

us with our furkids, vets we have used which were helpful and/or willing to

work with us & our concerns and we are always there with a shoulder for those

whose pets lose the battle.... sometimes we just vent our frustration.

VALLEY FEVER IS AWFUL, INSIDIOUS DISEASE, BUT IT IS NOT A DEATH SENTENCE!

RAGOFAZ currently has 36 dogs both foster and Adopted that are on Valley

Fever meds. We provide six months of medication to either foster or adoptive

home

at a time. Ketoconozol is about $15 a month, Fluconozole, about $50 a month

and Itraconozol can be as expensive as $200 a month. As you can see, it takes a

lot of money to treat these dogs, but they are ALL worth it!

If you would like to make a donation to help us help the dogs that come in to

our rescue you may send a PayPal donation. We also If you wish to use this

feature go to: Pay Pal Online and use email: Treasurer@... for

the email address to send your money to.

Also, show your support for RAGOFAZ Valley Fever dogs by purchasing a GRIN

PIN. Grinnin Gilbert, a RAGOFAZ Doggie member also had Valley Fever and

continues to support his rescue by donating a likeness of himself to help the

dogs of

rescue! See the GRIN PIN CLICK HERE

If you prefer to make a check donation you may send it to:

Rescue a Golden of Arizona

" Valley Fever Funding "

PO Box 31894

Phoenix, AZ 85046-1894

If you need to talk to someone within our organization to discuss Valley

Fever you may contact us by email at:

RAGOFAZ Contact