Many species of animals - dogs, cats, llamas, zoo animals (especially apes and monkeys), horses, and many small exotic pets - are afflicted with Valley Fever. Because of their susceptibility and their popularity as human companions, dogs comprise the majority of cases of animal Valley Fever. For full information on infection, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of Valley Fever in dogs, place your cursor on "Valley Fever in Dogs" at left and select the subjects from the drop down menu. For a printable version of the canine Valley Fever information click here.
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ANNOUNCEMENTS! |
Please refer back to this page frequently as announcements concerning Valley Fever in Dogs are posted as they become available.
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Debra and Frank Kaukol donated $1500.00 for research in the memory of their dear, sweet Abbey. Abbey struggled with Valley Fever of the brain for several years. Debbie has now dedicated herself to raising additional funds to help find a cure for Valley Fever so other dogs do not have to go through Abbey’s illness.
In October 1998, Arrow, my own 8-month old Whippet pup, developed a high fever. For a month, we chased a diagnosis with blood tests, x-rays, and physical examinations while her temperature hovered at 104+ and her appetite plummeted. We suspected Valley Fever but could not find it.The day before Thanksgiving, I detected no breath sounds in the lower part of her lungs and we drew 300 mls of fluid out of her chest and cultured the Valley Fever fungus. The blood test finally came back positive as well. For another 2 months, she was treated with high doses of oral medication, which barely kept the disease in check.
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Her fever raged on and she ate little to nothing. At the end of January, in desperation we treated her with an intravenous drug for 5 weeks. After 2 weeks, her fever went away and the fluid around her lungs started to resolve. She continued with the oral medication and I hand fed her for 9 months. By September, all the chest lesions had resolved on x-rays and Arrow was eating on her own. Eight years later, she has lived an active life and still takes a low dose of oral medication daily. - Lisa Shubitz, DVM
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| Dogs like Arrow win and lose the battle with Valley Fever every day in regions where this disease occurs, and their owners do everything they can to make their dogs well, and they ask about better diagnostics, and better treatments. They celebrate when their dogs recover, support others whose pets are sick, and grieve deeply when they pass on if the disease takes them in spite of treatment.
Many people whose pets’ lives have been impacted or shortened by Valley Fever have committed to increasing our knowledge about this disease in dogs through fund-raising, public education, or donations to the VFCE research fund specifically for veterinary research.
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- Veterinary Specialty Center of Tucson is the hub of clinical Valley Fever research involving companion animals in the community. VSCT supports the research by providing hospital facilities where animals can be involved in studies of treatments or new diagnostic tests for Valley Fever.
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- Shannon Lorenz and Teri Rogo both had rescue Greyhounds with Valley Fever. When Shannon lost her beloved Jeffrey to the disease, they formed Project Canine Valley Fever and Jeffrey’s Fund, which raised over $2000 for veterinary research. They also maintained a website with information, links to other educational sites, and support for Valley Fever dog owners.
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- Marta St. James' and Curt Fonger's Golden Retriever, Kramer, was a member of their family and their community, a popular figure in Gold Canyon's public events and a dog that visited nursing homes and sick children. It was with heavy hearts that Marta and Curt and the whole community said good-bye to Kramer as a result of complications of Valley Fever. Marta and Curt have become crusaders for Valley Fever in animals.
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- Education - Marta maintains a website with educational information and links to other sites at www.GoldCanyonDOG.org
- Fundraising - Kramer's Valley Fever Memorial Quilt http://www.GoldCanyonDOG.org/valleyfever.htm The quilt was raffled at the Canyon Arts Festival in Gold Canyon on January 28,
2006. The lucky person who won Kramer's Valley Fever Memorial Quilt is
Regina Barnhill, a resident of Gold Canyon and a proud "Mom" of a rescued Cocker Spaniel named Durango. The Gold Canyon DOG group raised $1,830 for canine Valley Fever research. Dr. Sharon Dial from the Valley Fever Center for Excellence at the Univeristy of Arizona was given the check at the event.
- Public awareness - multiple articles have been published in the Phoenix and Gold Canyon newspapers as a result of Marta providing information and suggestions for stories. Kudos to her persistence in reaching the media.
- Marta was also on the committee for education and public awareness of Valley Fever during Valley Fever Awareness Week 2005.
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Rob Eaton (Roadrunner Pharmacy, Phoenix, AZ) initially donated $2000.00 to the VFCE for veterinary research to help prevent, treat, and better understand Valley Fever in dogs. During the last 2 years, he donated an additional $2,274.00 through redemption of $2.00 coupons Roadrunner Pharmacy sent out with each purchase of medication to treat Valley Fever in a pet. People frequently sent donations over and above their coupons and a great deal of money was raised in this way. We heartily thank Mr. Eaton and his clients for supporting the VFCE Companion Animal Fund.
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Tom Moore, whose dog Dakota became severely ill with Valley Fever but made a full recovery, donated $5000 to the VFCE for operations and education. These kind of donations are also very helpful because they keep this website up and available to the public.
- Pam Munici donated $100 dollars to the Valley Fever Center for research in canine coccidioidomycosis in the name of her service dog Ellie May. Pam and Ellie May graduated from the Happy Tails Service Dog training program September 23, 2002. Ellie May is a seizure alert dog that is certified as a service dog.
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If you have an interest in donating, see About the Center and specify that your donation is for veterinary or canine research. If you wish to donate in memoriam to a pet, or volunteer in some other active role for Valley Fever awareness, public education, or fund raising, we would love to acknowledge your efforts here.
To contact us about any of the above, e-mail The Valley Fever Center for Excellence.
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