Desert Dust Storm

Together we can end Valley Fever.

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Join your colleagues and let Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack know you're interested in seeing new veterinary biologics like the Valley Fever vaccine for dogs come to market.

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What is Valley Fever

Valley Fever (coccidioidomycosis) is an infection caused by a fungus primarily found in the soil of the semi-arid desert regions of the southwestern United States, although the geographic range is expanding. People and animals get Valley Fever by breathing in the fungal spores in the environment. It is not contagious and cannot spread from one person or animal to another. Valley Fever primarily affects the lungs but, especially in dogs, can spread to other areas of the body, such as the bones, eyes or nervous system.

Lifecycle of Valley Fever Fungus

Diagram of the Lifecycle of the Valley Fever fungus

Where is Valley Fever found?

Arizona and California desert communities have the highest concentration of cases. Experts predict this geographic area will continue to expand due to climate change and the increasing rate of new building construction which can release spores from the soil.

Yearly Growth

2005
2005
2095
217
Counties Infected
22,211,314
Dogs at Risk

As of 2021, more than 25 million dogs live in areas where coccidioides spores can be found

Projections based on Expansion of Coccidioidomycosis Endemic Regions in the United States in Response to Climate Change

Who can get Valley Fever?

Dogs

Dogs

Cats

Cats

People

People

Horses

Horses

Cattle

Cattle

Llamas

Llamas

Ferrets

Ferrets

Small Mammals

Small Mammals

Whether you live or vacation in endemic areas, any mammal who spends time where Valley Fever occurs can become infected by breathing in fungal spores. The fungus infects easily through inhalation and can even make healthy people and animals sick.

Forms of Valley Fever

Primary Form

The primary (pulmonary) disease form is limited to the lungs. Signs of primary Valley Fever can include a harsh dry cough, fever, lack of appetite, and lethargy or depression. These signs usually occur about three weeks after infection, although sometimes the organism can lay dormant in the body for up to three years before signs occur.

Diagram of LungsThe pulmonary form is limited to the lungs.

Disseminated Form

In the disseminated form, disease spreads to other parts of the body. The bones and joints are most often affected leading to reluctance to move, lameness, and swollen, painful joints. Other signs are non-specific and may include lack of appetite, lethargy, or depression, a persistent fever, and weight loss. Infection can occur in the eye causing inflammation and sometimes blindness. In rare cases, the fungus invades the brain, resulting in behavior changes or seizure activity.

Diagram of a dog with the highlights of joints and different potential impact areas caused by Valley Fever.The disseminated form spreads to other parts of the body.

Symptoms of Valley Fever

If your pet has any of these signs, contact your veterinarian right away.

Diagnosis

Your veterinarian will start with a thorough history and physical examination of your pet. They may recommend blood tests including a complete blood count, chemistry panel (to check organ function) and Valley Fever titer test. Additionally, radiographs of the chest and/or bones may need to be done.

Depending upon your pet’s clinical signs, other tests such as ultrasound-guided biopsies or MRI may be recommended. Diagnosing and monitoring Valley Fever cases will often require repeated titer tests and follow up diagnostics.

Vet holding dog paw

Treatment & Prognosis

In most cases, your veterinarian will prescribe an oral anti-fungal medication for your pet. Uncomplicated infections involving only the lungs usually respond well to appropriate anti-fungal therapy. Treatment duration varies based on severity of disease. Animals with Valley Fever that has spread to the bones or the brain or complicated respiratory disease often require prolonged drug treatment, sometimes for life. In the most severe cases, the prognosis is uncertain even with the best care.

Pill bottle with label reading Antifungal
Our coccidioidomycosis vaccine, has the potential to be the first vaccine for a systemic fungal infection—in any species.
First-in-class Preventive

First-in-class Preventive

A potential first-ever vaccine for systemic fungal infections

Gene-deleted Strain

Gene-deleted Strain

Deletion of disease-causing gene allows for use as a preventative vaccine

Standard Administration

Standard Administration

Designed to be given as an injection—the same way dogs receive other vaccines

Learn more about Valley Fever

Watch one of our live or on-demand lectures and get CE credit.

Valley Fever In Dogs and Cats

Valley Fever In Dogs and Cats

Think Outside the Desert

Advances in Vaccine Technology - Pioneering a Preventive for Valley Fever

Advances in Vaccine Technology - Pioneering a Preventive for Valley Fever

Pioneering a Preventive for Valley Fever in Dogs

Peer-reviewed Studies

An attenuated, live vaccine Δcps1 strain of Coccidioides posadasii

Study Preview #1Study Preview #2Study Preview #3

Thank you, partners!

It’s through extensive collaboration between leading academic researchers, innovators, veterinarians, and dedicated pet owners that we are able to solve what has yet to be solved when it comes to unmet medical needs for pets.

Your efforts make it all possible...

Together We Can End Valley Fever.

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FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA HEALTH SCIENCES

An educational resource with reliable and timely information about Valley fever, in dogs and people.