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Advice on canine valley fever.

Our 12 ish year old tweenie Dachshund has been diagnosed with Valley Fever (high titers). All other blood work is in normal range. The only hint she gave was sneezing, which we thought was mild allergies. All of a sudden she started swelling in her chest neck and face. The swelling goes up and down, mostly up. Sometimes her sweet little brown eyes are almost swollen shut. Vet has her on Fluconazole 50mg twice a day and Lasix 12.5 mg twice a day. She has been on these meds 6 ˝ days. She had been taking 5 mg Prednisone every 5 to 7 days for discomfort with an IVDD problem. Had her last 2.5 mg dose on 6/19/11. Not giving her any more of that stuff. I am told to be patient, but she is so uncomfortable. Does anyone know any more about Valley Fever and what to expect than our Vet seems to? We are on a very fixed income and ‘Specialists’ seem to want to do a lot of expensive (inconclusive?) tests. Please help us help our baby.


Asked by Member 1038202 on Jul 1st 2011 Tagged valleyfever, swelling in Illness & Disease
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Best Answer

Jazzy

Valley fever is a disease caused by fungal spores. Sometimes the illness will go away on its own and the times it doesn't go away, the dog will have to be treated with medication for the rest of its life. Here's some great info on this website. www.dlrrphoenix.org


Jazzy answered on Jul 1st.

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Gia

I would google the sickness or for the best advice ask your vet or read a book about it.


Gia answered on 7/1/11. Helpful? Yes/Helpful: No 0 Report this answer


Guest

Great Resources in addition to your Vet:

Valley Fever Center for Excellence at the University of Arizona. If your dog is between 11-33# she may be able to participate in the Nikkomycin Z Clinical trials. www.vfce.arizona.edu/ValleyFeverInPets

Yahoo Group - ValleyFeverPets - best/cheapest places to get Fluconazole. Terrific support/suggestions.

Valley Fever Alliance - Arizona Facebook page. Information on events. Walks to raise funds for a valley fever cure are held in Tucson and Phoenix.

VF manifests itself in different ways. If you're outside of Arizona, you're fortunate your vet correctly diagnosed the disease.

Some dogs respond very well to Fluconazole, but every dog is different. My dog was on the meds for 6-12 months. Any time she seems lethargic or 'off' I get her titer rechecked as VF can relapse. Some dogs are on the meds the rest of their life.

Hope this helps, all the best to you and your dog.


Member 1005752 answered on 7/5/11. Helpful? Yes/Helpful: No 0 Report this answer


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