Dumped When He Needed Love Most—See How a Pitbull Fought Back Against a Deadly Disease Called Valley Fever in Dogs
Sebastian, a 2-year-old Pit Bull mix, was abandoned by his owner at a time when the dog needed his human the most. He was found alone in an apartment a few months ago, suffering from valley fever.
When he arrived at Maricopa Animal Care And Control (MCACC) shelter, Sebastian was the exact opposite of what a young dog should look like. He seemed to have hardly any life in him. Stiff and sore, he barely moved. He could hardly even lift his head, and if he tried to walk, it was more stumbling a few steps than walking.
It’s so devastating to see a dog in a kennel in such a condition, with his body and bones riddled with valley fever. Instead of getting him the proper treatment, his human decided to leave him to die alone in pain. There’s rarely anything worse than a dog for this.
Saved From Death’s Door And Bouncing Back From Disease
Dogs like Sebastian, with a crippling disease, often get euthanized. This was supposed to be Sebastian’s fate too, but luckily, Love Them All Sanctuary + Rescue intervened and saved him.
Based in Scottsdale, Arizona, the rescue not only saved Sebastian from getting put down but also provided him with all the medical care he needed. They have plenty of experience with dogs suffering from various stages of valley fever.
So, they brought Sebastian to their sanctuary and asked people on social media to donate to cover all of the Pit’s medical costs. Luckily, with the help of donations, the dog got access to all the required therapies and treatments, allowing him a chance to beat the disease.
Fast forward a few months of continuous proper treatment, Sebastian has remarkably transformed. He is now a dog full of life, ready to restart his life with high spirits. Sebastian can now hold his head high and look like the courageous dog he is. In addition, he is now able to walk properly without any pain.
Sebastian Needs Your Love
Sebastian still undergoes regular therapies to completely treat valley fever, but with the progress he’s showing, he will be disease-free in no time. The only other thing standing between him and his happy ending is a loving home.
If you live in Arizona and are looking for a young and adorable dog, Sebastian might be the right fit for you. Even if you cannot adopt him at this time, fostering him and giving him some much-needed love will certainly help him in his recovery journey.
Visit Love Them All Sanctuary + Rescue or DM them on Instagram to express interest or get more details about Sebastian.
What Is Valley Fever In Dogs?
Valley fever in dogs is a respiratory disease, and the fungus Coccidiodes immitis is responsible for causing the disease, as per VCA Animal Hospitals. This is why, in medical terms, the disease is called coccidioidomycosis. But generally, people refer to it as valley fever, California disease, San Joaquin valley fever, or desert rheumatism.
Dogs usually contract this disease when they breathe in mold spores in the soil, which is where Coccidiodes immitis is often found. The fungus is generally present in desert climates, such as Arizona, New Mexico, California, Utah, and Nevada. Apart from the U.S., it is also found in northwestern Mexico and in some parts of Central and South America.
Humans and other animals can also catch the disease if they inhale the fungus. Dogs remain the most prone to catching the infection because of their habit of sniffing in the dirt.
Is Valley Fever In Dogs Contagious?
No, valley fever is not contagious, as confirmed by Amy Flowers, a veterinarian. Dogs cannot spread it to other dogs, animals, or humans. So, if your dog has it, there’s no need to isolate the pet or stay away from them, thinking that they could spread it to you or your family members and other pets.
How Do Dogs Get Infected With Valley Fever?
According to WebMD, the valley fever-causing fungus, Coccidiodes immitis, is present in the soil, forming long filaments that carry infectious spores. Often, the soil is disturbed easily, and these spores can then spread in the air, resulting in animals and people breathing them in.
Dogs have higher chances of inhaling spores because they tend to sniff the soil, and their nose can directly come in contact with the spores. If the spores reach the dog’s lungs, these spores can turn into structures known as spherules.
In the case of dogs with strong immune systems, these spherules are unable to spread or cause any symptoms. However, in puppies, senior dogs, or dogs with compromised immune systems, spherules can expand and proliferate. This can lead to respiratory issues in dogs.
Symptoms of Valley Fever In Dogs
If you’re wondering what are the symptoms of valley fever are in dogs, it is not a straightforward answer. Valley fever in dogs can be of either of two forms: primary form and disseminated form.
In the primary form, the infection is confined to the lungs. However, if the fungus spreads beyond the lungs to other parts of the body, it’s referred to as the disseminated form.
Here are the symptoms of primary valley fever in a dog. These are also the early symptoms of valley fever in dogs:
- Lethargy
- Fever
- Weight loss
- Reduced appetite
- Coughing
The disseminated form of valley fever is more serious and advanced. Following are the symptoms of advanced valley fever in dogs:
- Seizures
- Wounds on skin that do not heal
- Pain in the back or neck
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Lameness
- Swollen testicles
- Eye inflammation
Generally, the signs of valley fever in dogs are present in the limbs of the dog. The bones and joints are affected the most, which is why one of the most common symptoms of disseminated valley fever in dogs is limping.
Treatment of Valley Fever In Dogs
If you’re thinking of natural remedies for valley fever, note that VCA Animal Hospitals have mentioned antifungal medicines as the only way to treat valley fever.
Generally, a veterinarian will prescribe ketoconazole, fluconazole, or itraconazole. These medicines will prove to be beneficial in dealing with the symptoms and also eradicating the fungal infection in the dog.
This treatment of antifungal medicines usually lasts for six to 12 months as it takes a long time to completely cure your dog of valley fever. Apart from taking the medication, the dog must be taken to the vet regularly for check-ups and to keep track of symptoms.
With the help of the blood test, the vet can also check if there are any side effects of the medicines on other organs, for instance, the liver. You will probably start seeing improvement in your dog’s symptoms a few weeks after starting the treatment.
In the case of disseminated valley fever, the medication course will probably continue for a longer period of time. Moreover, if your dog’s nervous system is infected by the fungus, the vet will probably tell you to keep your dog on medication for the entirety of their remaining life.
The vet may recommend additional medicines to deal with the symptoms, such as cough suppressants, pain medication, and anti-inflammatories for dealing with fever.
Since loss of appetite is a symptom, the dog may not eat or drink at all. In that situation, you may need to hand-feed highly palatable food, like cooked meats, as per Valley Fever Center for Excellence at The University of Arizona Health Sciences. If that is not working, then placing a feeding tube might be an option your vet can consider.
There are no instructions about foods to avoid with valley fever. You just have to make sure that they get their proper nutrition, as their bodies will respond better to the treatment.
What if the Treatment is Not Effective?
It is very rare that your dog’s valley fever has worsened to a stage where the treatment is not working. But if that happens, you and your vet can discuss the next steps, which may include palliative care or euthanasia.
The good thing is that the survival rate for cases of valley fever in dogs is extremely high. Dr Jennifer Coates, a veterinarian, mentions that more than 90% of dogs with valley fever are able to pull through and survive.
How To Prevent Valley Fever in Dogs
The best prevention for valley fever is not to let your dog get exposed to the spores. If you reside in one of the areas where valley fever is most common, try not to let your dog roam outside. Keep them indoors as much as possible.
In addition, don’t let your dog dig while outside, and avoid construction sites and places with fewer ground-cover plants, as these areas are likely to have dry and crumbly soil.
Amy Flowers confirms that a vaccine is being developed to cure valley fever. It will probably be available in the market in the upcoming years.
