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Puppy Vaccination Guide

Written by csadmin on November 10, 2021. Posted in Pet Diseases, Pet Vaccinations.

Did you know scientists first developed the animal vaccine way back in 1879? Back then, an epidemic would wipe out hordes of animals, leaving the farmers ruined financially. While you cannot ensure your puppy’s health, you can start with the vaccine(s) outlined in this puppy vaccination guide.

Vaccines help protect your new puppy from a host of life-threatening and fatal illnesses. Some are mandatory, and the others are primarily dependent on the location and the lifestyle of the puppy.

According to American Animal Hospital Association, puppies should be vaccinated starting from 6-8 weeks of age.

Our article brings to you everything you need to know about the puppy vaccination process, the shots your puppy needs, its vaccination schedule, and much more.

Puppy Vaccinations Needed

Vaccines protect your puppy against potentially dangerous or even deadly viruses.

Below are the potential vaccines that your veterinarian may suggest for your puppy. You must know the essential vaccines and the optional ones.

Canine Parvovirus (CPV)

A highly contagious virus that affects the central nervous system causing vomiting, loss of appetite, weight loss, fever, and severe bloody diarrhea leading to death in 48-72 hours; There is no cure, and unvaccinated puppies, four months and younger, are highly susceptible.

Rabies

A virus transmitted through the bite of rabid animals; affects the central nervous system causing excessive drooling, anxiety, headache, hallucinations, paralysis, fear of water, and eventually death. Check with your vet for rabies vaccination laws since it is mandatory in most states.

Bordetella Bronchiseptica

A highly infectious bacteria that is the primary cause of kennel cough. It is characterized by severe coughing, vomiting, whooping, and in rare cases, seizures leading to death. While it is not mandatory, most dog daycare centers or puppy boarding services require the vaccine.

Kennel Cough

Caused by the inflammation of the upper airways due to virus(parainfluenza) or bacteria(Bordetella). Though mild, it causes respiratory distress due to a harsh dry cough. It spreads quickly, primarily when kept together.

Canine Distemper

A contagious virus that affects the respiratory and GI tract, nervous system, etc., causing discharges from eyes and nose, coughing, vomiting, fever, diarrhea, twitching, seizures, and paralysis. There is no cure, and it can be fatal in severe cases.

Canine Hepatitis

A highly contagious viral infection that affects the liver, kidneys, spleen, lungs, and eyes; Symptoms include fever, nasal congestion, vomiting, stomach enlargement, jaundice, etc. There is no cure, and severe forms can kill. This has no connection to the human form of the virus.

Canine Parainfluenza

A highly contagious respiratory virus that causes kennel cough in puppies;

Canine Coronavirus

Affects the GI system and causes respiratory infections, vomiting, loss of appetite, and diarrhea;

Leptospirosis

A zoonotic disease caused by bacteria; Symptoms include vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, jaundice, loss of appetite, muscle pain, stiffness, weakness, lethargy, infertility, kidney failure, liver failure, etc.

Lyme Disease

Transmitted via ticks, the symptoms include swelling of lymph nodes, fever, and loss of appetite. If left untreated, it can affect its heart, kidney, lungs, and joints.

Essential Puppy Vaccination

Puppy vaccines serve one purpose in whatever formulations they come in; They prepare the immune system to fight the invading disease-causing virus. So, when the puppy is exposed to the virus, his body is prepared to fight.

The core vaccines such as DHPP and rabies vaccine are mandatory for all puppies. The rest depends on the puppies’ lifestyle and social activities.

When Does a Puppy Get Its First Shots?

Ideally, a puppy should get its first vaccine as soon as it is weaned from its mother at around 6-8 weeks old.

You should follow the first vaccine with booster shots every 2-4 weeks until 16 weeks of age.

What Are Core and Non-Core Puppy Vaccines?

Core and non-core vaccines provide relatively good protection against a number of conditions that affect the puppies. While the latter applies to diseases that affect dogs in all walks of life and lifestyles, non-core is for dogs with unique needs and specific situations.

Core Vaccines

Core vaccines protect puppies against common diseases that are highly infectious, contagious, fatal, or transferrable to humans. They may also include vaccines for diseases common in your area.

DHPP Vaccine (5-in-1 Vaccine)

This is a 5-in-1 core vaccine for dogs, typically referred to by its acronym (DHPP, DAPP, or DA2PP) to indicate the diseases it protects against. The canine 5-in-1 vaccine includes protection against the following diseases:

Canine Distemper Virus (D)
2 Types of Adenovirus: Hepatitis & Kennel Cough (A / A2 / H)
Parainfluenza (P)
Parvovirus (P)

Rabies Vaccine

This is another core vaccine for puppies to prevent the viral disease known as rabies. Rabies invades the central nervous system of both humans and animals. Its many symptoms include headaches, anxiety, hallucinations, excessive drooling, fear of water, paralysis, and even death. It is most often transmitted through the bite (saliva) of a rabid animal.

Non-Core Vaccines

Non-core vaccines are optional vaccines that are administered if your puppy is at risk of contracting a specific disease. Your vet may formulate a vaccination schedule depending on the risk of exposure, geographic distribution, lifestyle, etc.

Leptospirosis
Bordetella
Parvovirus
Lyme Disease

Puppy Vaccination Schedule

The puppy vaccination schedule differs depending on the vet, health conditions of the puppy, and the area you live in. Your puppies’ social life also comes into the picture when choosing the optional vaccine.

You may want to talk to the veterinarian and work out a schedule.

6-8 Weeks – DHPP (mandatory) and Bordetella as optional
10-12 Weeks– DHPP (mandatory); Influenza, Leptospirosis, Bordetella, and Lyme disease as optional
16-18 Weeks – DHPP and Rabies (mandatory); Influenza, Leptospirosis, Bordetella, and Lyme disease as optional
12-16 Months – DHPP and Rabies (mandatory); Influenza, Leptospirosis, Bordetella, and Lyme disease as optional
Every 1-2 years – DHPP (mandatory); Influenza, Leptospirosis, Bordetella, and Lyme disease as optional
Every 1-3 years – Rabies (mandatory)

Talk with your vet to determine the vaccination protocol that works for you and your puppy.

First-Year Puppy Vaccinations

Vaccination wise, the first year of life is crucial for a puppy since the vaccines administered this year protect them from potentially fatal viral diseases, namely distemper, and Parvo.

According to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), the core vaccines DHPP and rabies are mandatory in the first year. Apart from that, the optional vaccines your vet may recommend are Parainfluenza, Bordetella, Canine Influenza, and Leptospira.

How Long Can a Puppy Go without Shots?

The minimum recommended interval between two vaccine doses for a puppy is two weeks, while the maximum recommended time is six weeks. The above applies to all the core vaccines except for rabies. Rabies requires a single dose at 12 weeks of age.

A puppy requires its first dose as soon as it is weaned from its mother. But if it’s not possible, vaccinate it at the first available opportunity. Check with your veterinarian and formulate a vaccination schedule.

Combination Puppy Vaccination

A combination vaccine is a shot that holds vaccines for more than one disease and offers the same protection as individual vaccines. The combination vaccines save your pet from multiple needle pricks and subsequent traumatization of your puppy. Moreover, the shot also saves you precious time and money spent on the vet.

The most common combination vaccine is the DHPP vaccine, otherwise called the distemper shot, which holds vaccines for Distemper, Hepatitis, Parvovirus, and Parainfluenza.

5-in-1 Puppy Vaccination

The 5-in-1 vaccine or the DA2PP protects against distemper, two strains of hepatitis or Adenovirus, kennel cough, parainfluenza, and parvovirus.

This combination vaccine contains vaccines for highly contagious diseases with a significant mortality rate and no known cure. When the puppies get infected, they have a high chance of passing it on to other dogs in their vicinity.

The combination vaccine ensures that your puppy gets maximum protection with minimum discomfort. Dogs receive the vaccine at eight weeks, 12 weeks, and 16 weeks of age, one year, and then 1 to 3 years later.

Lyme Disease Vaccination

Lyme vaccination protects against Lyme disease caused by deer ticks that live in the tall and woody grasses in many parts of the country. While not mandatory, it is required for dogs that are exposed to ticks on a regular basis. The high-risk areas include the Northeastern United States, mid-Atlantic states, and upper Midwest.

Taking everything into account, the vaccine isn’t a foolproof measure in itself. It needs to be combined with good-old tick control for adequate protection.

Reasons to Avoid Lyme Disease Vaccinations

Most dogs affected by Lyme disease show little to no symptoms, among which 10 – 15% remain non-clinical carriers. Only 2% of the affected dogs show a severe form of the disease. So unless the puppy has a weakened immune system and is living in high-risk areas, veterinarians do not recommend this vaccine.

Moreover, there are chances that your puppy may develop symptoms of Lyme disease through the puppy vaccination. This happens when the immune system reacts with the antigens present in the vaccine and, in rare cases, leads to Lyme nephritis or kidney disease.

The efficiency for Lyme vaccination is about 87% when compared to a rabies vaccine, which is at 99%.

Bordetella Vaccine for Puppies

Bordetella is caused by the Bordetella Bronchiseptica and is responsible for the kennel cough in dogs. Though not fatal, the condition is contagious; If your dog frequents dog parks, dog day-care, or boarding facilities, it is highly susceptible to the virus. Most of these facilities require proof of the Bordetella vaccination firsthand.

The vaccine is optional, and if opting, the first dose will be as early as six weeks of age. The booster doses will be at 10 and 16 weeks of age and finally at one year. While the vaccine doesn’t pose any specific harmful effect, your veterinarian may not recommend it if your dog is immunocompromised, pregnant, or sick.

Canine Influenza Vaccine

Canine influenza, otherwise known as the dog flu, is a highly contagious viral infection that transmits through respiratory secretions while coughing, sneezing, and barking. Having said that, vets categorize it as a lifestyle vaccine and do not recommend it for all dogs and puppies.

Healthy puppies seven weeks of age or older are eligible for the vaccine. It requires two more booster shots until 16 weeks. Since dogs and puppies do not retain the immunity level for long, vets revaccinate them annually. Even after the vaccine, puppies can contract dog flu but to a lesser extent.

Side Effects of Puppy Vaccinations

Puppies can sometimes experience some adverse reactions to vaccinations. Mild reactions can start within hours of vaccination and last for a day or two:

Discomfort
Swelling in the injection site
Loss of appetite
Lethargy
Sneezing or mild cough (intranasal vaccine)

On the other hand, severe side effects may occur within minutes and sometimes hours after the vaccination. It is better to seek help from your vet if your dog develops any of these:

Persistent vomiting
Diarrhea
Hives
Facial Swelling
Difficulty breathing
Severe cough
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Puppy Vaccination Average Cost

Puppy vaccinations are generally higher in the first year and can cost around $75 – $100. It includes the core vaccines administered in the 6, 12, and 16 weeks old.

Another core vaccine, the rabies vaccine, costs around $15 – $20. While some vets include this in the initial charge, others may charge separately.

On the other hand, animal shelters charge you around $20 or less. If you picked your pet from a shelter, it would have been vaccinated until the age you got it.

Risk of Not Vaccinating Puppies

Vaccines are most common, and most owners prefer to get their puppy vaccinated; there are others who advise against it.

In case you do not get your dog vaccinated, it is vulnerable to fatal diseases like parvovirus and distemper. Not only dogs carry these contagions but also rodents, insects, etc. And with an unvaccinated puppy, they are easily transmitted.

In this case, monitoring your dog for signs of disease is the only means of determining a health problem.

If you are skeptical about vaccines, you also have the option of talking to your veterinarian about it. Choose the vaccines for diseases that pose a higher risk for the puppy and lesser side effects.

What Happens if You Give a Puppy Vaccination Too Early?

According to vets’ recommendation, the ideal time to start puppy vaccination is six weeks of age. If vaccinated earlier than that, the immune system may be too immature for the vaccination to be effective. Additionally, the parvovirus vaccine can turn out to be harmful to developing brains.

Having said that, shelters vaccinate their animals more frequently and at a younger age than recommended.

Conclusion

Puppies are susceptible to infectious diseases due to an undeveloped immune system. Though they receive antibodies from the mother, it is not for long and sometimes not enough. Vaccines help boost the immunity level, thereby protecting against bacteria and viruses.

The vet gives the first shot as early as possible, right after weaning from the mother, and subsequently, two more booster shots until the 16 weeks. The aim is to catch the window when the mother’s antibodies subside, and the puppy is vulnerable to the outside environment. An entire series of vaccination is vital to provide complete protection to the puppy.

Talk with your vet about your puppies’ lifestyle, any planned travels, etc., so that he can help prepare a proper vaccination schedule comprising of both core and non-core vaccines.

Your puppy’s health is important. In Tucson, Santa Cruz Pet Clinic is the trusted veterinarian that you desire for getting your dog the proper vaccinations at the proper time. Contact us today to schedule your puppy’s vaccination.

Other related, timely articles you may enjoy:

How to Treat Roundworms in Cats

Written by csadmin on November 10, 2021. Posted in Pet Diseases, Roundworms in Cats.

Most people associate roundworms with dogs, but cats can also get this harmful parasite. Did you know that roundworms are extremely common parasitic worms found inside cats, dogs, and other animals? They can be a significant cause of illness, even death in kittens. Most cats become infected with them at some time in their life, generally as kittens.

Infection can be spread through direct contact or ingestion. Cats can get roundworms from contact with an animal carrying the worm.

This article will discuss everything you need to know about roundworms in cats. Keep reading to know more about clinical signs, treatment options, and prevention methods!

Roundworms in Cats

Roundworms are the most common internal parasites found inside a cat. The two species that infect cats are Toxocara Cati and Toxascara Leonina. Of these, the Toxocara Cati can cause health problems in human beings. In the case of dogs, it is Toxocara Canis that causes a parasitic infection. Toxocara Canis (dogs) and Toxocara Cati (cats) can also infect people.

As the name indicates, they are round, white to light brown, and up to 4 inches long, much like spaghetti noodles. They are intestinal parasites found in all animals. Adult worms live in your pet’s intestines and feed off the nutrient in their diet.

Roundworms can be contracted in many ways, making them easy to spread and hard to control. Cats contract with roundworms often through contact with another animal carrying the worm. The worms are often found in soil. Your cat (or dog) can contract roundworms while playing or eating grass.

How Contagious Are Roundworms?

Yes! Roundworms are contagious. If your cat comes into contact with another animal with roundworms, it can also get the same. They are also present in cats’ feces and can remain infective for months. And when a cat or a dog comes into contact with the feces, they can get infected.

What’s the Prognosis for Cats Diagnosed with Roundworms?

The prognosis for cats with roundworm infection is pretty good. However, it’s essential to treat the roundworm early on before your cat becomes ill or dies.

If your cat has roundworms, take them to see their vet as soon as you can! Cats are very good at hiding illness until they become pretty sick. And by then, it may be too late for treatment to be effective.

Types of Roundworms

There are various types of roundworms that cause infections in cats. Though they look and behave in a similar manner, they have different life cycles.

Toxocara Cati is generally seen in kittens. It is transmitted from an infected mother to the baby via mother’s milk. However, the roundworm can also be a result of ingesting eggs. Generally, animals such as rodents, beetles, or earthworms act as carriers of the parasitic worm. The eggs then hatch into roundworm larvae in the digestive system of the cat.
Toxascara Leonina is quite less common and is seen in older cats and dogs. It has a pretty straightforward life cycle than the Toxocara Cati. The eggs of this type are found in the cat (or dog)feces. And when ingested, they hatch into adult roundworms in the digestive system.
Toxocara Canis is the most common type of roundworm seen in dogs. They can grow up to 7 inches long and can be transmitted to humans too. When the infective eggs are ingested, the resulting larvae can invade the gut wall and migrate. The migrating larvae can invade the body tissues where it encysts if the dog is older than five weeks of age.

How Do Cats Get Roundworms?

The most common way cats contract roundworms is by ingesting the eggs. This can happen when they play with contaminated soil and grass, or if they come into contact with rodents carrying the roundworm larvae.

A milk-borne infection is the primary mode of roundworm transmission in kittens. Immature worms called larvae are present in the mammary glands of an infected mother. Later on, it passes on to the kittens via her milk.

Both cats and kittens can get roundworms through an accidental host. An accidental host can be any animal where the roundworm eggs can be found. In most cases, the host stays unaffected. Instead, the eggs are transported to the cat through the feces. It can happen when your pet eats the tissue of an affected animal, thereby completing the life cycle.

When the cat (or dog) eats the host, the eggs hatch in the gastrointestinal tract. And the larvae migrate to various organs such as the liver and lungs through the tissue. They then return to the intestines to lay eggs that pass out through the cat’s (or dog’s) stool.

There is no direct contact between cats and roundworms. However, the infection can be contracted by ingesting feces, contaminated soil, or another animal.

Clinical Signs of Roundworm Infection in Cats

Adult roundworms live in the affected cat’s intestines. They show clinical signs of roundworm in various ways. Some may not show any sign at all and can be asymptomatic carriers for a long time. They pass out the eggs through their stool every once in a while.

But, others who have heavy infections may become ill and show the following symptoms:

Vomiting
Diarrhea
Loss of Appetite
Inability to Gain Weight / Weight Loss
Decreased Energy
Lethargy
Dehydration
Dull Hair Coat
Potbellied Appearance
Anemia
Adult Worms in Stool or Vomit

The most common sign is the flat segments with tapering ends and grain-like appearance in the stool of infected pets. These are the larvae of parasitic roundworms, which are passed out along with the feces.

Some cats may also show signs of coughing due to pneumonia caused by the larvae. These larvae push into the respiratory system, causing breathing difficulty.

Treatment for Roundworm Infections

Roundworms are pretty easy to treat. Start by giving your cat a deworming medication regularly every month or two.

The medications work only on adult roundworms and not on larvae or eggs. Hence they need to be repeated every 2-3 weeks for it to be effective. The treatment goes on until to treat the residual roundworms as they mature. The number of treatments depends on the situation and the age of the cat.

The companion animal parasite council recommends deworming a kitten every two weeks of age until four months. Pregnant dogs should also be dewormed in late pregnancy or after six weeks of pregnancy. This will help reduce the chances of it passing to the puppies. On the other hand, Puppies should be dewormed starting at two weeks of age and repeated as long as the pet needs.

You can give this as part of routine care, even if you do not see signs anymore – it will keep them away for sure! Roundworms can cause serious health problems in cats – even death! Therefore, it is vital to get your cat treated for roundworms as soon as possible.

Roundworm Prevention for Dogs and Cats

Treatment and prevention is by far the best way to control roundworms.

One way to prevent roundworms is to give your pet medication every month for two weeks. They need the medication until they are four months old. This medicine will protect your kitten from roundworms and other worms such as hookworms and tapeworms.

Here are a few steps you should follow to prevent roundworm infections:

First, keep your cat indoors, as it will limit exposure to a variety of animals.
Keep cats and dogs away from areas with a high rodent population.
Maintain a clean yard free of cat feces. The presence of feces can attract rodents carrying roundworm eggs onto your property.
Clean up your dog’s feces immediately. Use gloves to avoid contact with fecal matter.
Do not feed your cat raw meat as this may increase the risk of roundworms.
Once you have a kitten, make sure to keep it indoors until it is at least four months old.
Take your cat to the vet for regular checkups.
Wash hands after handling pets that might carry roundworm eggs on their fur (kittens).
Ensure your cat’s vaccinations are up to date.
Maintain your cat’s living area clean and free from feces.
Keep the cat’s litter box away from children and other pets.

How Long Does It Take to Kill Roundworms in Cats?

The medications take as long as three days to destroy the roundworms in the body. However, the medicine works on adult roundworms and not the larvae. Therefore, you may have to repeat the treatment until the eggs are hatched, and the larvae are killed.

Is It Normal for Roundworms to Come Out After Deworming?

Yes! It is pretty common to see live and dead roundworms in the stool of your cat (or dog) after deworming. While it is unpleasant, it means that your pets no longer carry roundworms.

The roundworms in the stool will look like small and long pieces of spaghetti (or rice). If you see them, then it means that your pet still has roundworms.

You need to deworm again after a week if this happens even though there is no sign of roundworms! And make sure to give regular deworming treatment every month.

What if My Cat Vomits Worms?

If you see roundworms in the vomit, this is a sign that they have a severe infection. You will need to get them checked by their vet immediately and dewormed!

It also means that other organs like the liver or lungs are also infected (or damaged). In addition, the larvae often result in vomiting up of the roundworms.

When this happens, consult veterinary professionals as they may suggest tests and treatment. They will also be able to recommend an effective deworming medication for use at home!

Can I Deworm My Cat Myself?

You cannot deworm your cat by yourself since you may not know which medicines to use. Also, if it is a kitten, you need an adult who can hold the animal during treatment!

You should consult with a vet or take them along when giving their deworming medication. If you want to deworm your cat at home, make sure that the treatment is safe for kittens (if this applies) and gentle on their stomachs.

Conclusion

Roundworms are nasty parasites that can make your cat feel pretty bad. If you notice your kitten has been dragging its butt or looking like it’s got the flu, roundworms could be to blame.

You need to get treatment before it gets worse and causes serious problems! Cats contract roundworms often through contact with another animal carrying the worm.

The prognosis for cats with roundworm infection is pretty good (most will recover without any complications). However, you need to treat the infection early on before your cat becomes ill or dies. The most common way cats contract roundworms are by ingesting the eggs when they come into contact with rodents.

With such an easy way for cats to contract these worms, we need all pet owners to be vigilant about prevention measures. Keep your pets indoors and away from areas that rodents might congregate.

In Tucson, Santa Cruz Pet Clinic is a world-renowned and trusted veterinarian that you will want for keeping up with your pet’s vaccinations at the proper time, deworming, and other services to ensure its health. Contact us today to schedule your pet’s vaccinations and check-ups.

How to Treat Parvo in Dogs

Written by csadmin on November 10, 2021. Posted in Parvo in Dogs, Pet Diseases.

Much like humans, dogs are susceptible to a wide range of different diseases and viruses. Some of them are deadly when left untreated, and sadly parvo in dogs is quite common.

So, as a conscientious pet owner, you will want to know how to spot the disease and infection in your dog early on. One of the most highly-contagious viruses dogs have to contend against is commonly known as parvo (Canine Parvovirus or CPV).

This DNA virus was first discovered in 1967 and has rapidly become a serious threat to canine health. While canine parvovirus is not airborne, it can be found on many surfaces within the environment. It is spread orally by contact with contaminated feces.

When this virus infects the bone marrow, it attacks the young immune cells, reducing the amount of protective white blood cells. This weakens the body’s immune system, the ability to protect itself, and allows the virus to more easily invade the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. This is unfortunately where the worst damage happens.

While treatment options are available, the best way to ensure your dog survives the disease is by preventing it in the first place. However, life happens, and you can’t control everything your pet does every moment of the day. So if your dog already has parvo, you need to educate yourself about treating it properly and immediately.

How Does a Dog Contract Parvo?

As stated earlier, dogs contract the parvovirus through the mouth. There are places where dogs have a higher chance of contracting the disease compared to others.

Some of those places include:

Apartment Complexes
Municipal Parks
Dog Parks
And More…

Look at this article by Advanced Animal Care to find out more about familiar places dogs can contract parvo. When it comes to treating the virus, there are several options.

Oral medications and IV fluids are two of the primary treatments for parvo. In some instances, tube feeding and injectable medicines are used to treat the virus. An interesting thing to note is that certain dog breeds are at increased risk of contracting parvo.

Here are some dog breeds with a high susceptibility to parvo:

German Shepards
American Staffordshire
English Spaniels
Doberman Pinschers

You can check out this article by AKC to learn more about particular dog breeds with higher odds of catching parvo.

Curative Treatments for Parvo in Dogs

Parvo does not have a cure at the moment. Veterinarians can only provide intermittent treatment for parvo. Since it’s a virus, your dog may catch it again after getting through its first infection.

With an aggressive treatment approach, the great news is that the survival rate of parvo can reach 91%. To get the best outcome after your dog catches parvo, you need to contact a reliable veterinarian clinic. Santa Cruz Pet Clinic offers reliable and effective parvo treatment services. Backed by years of experience.

You should always take your pet to a reputable clinic like Santa Cruz Pet Clinic when you notice your dog displaying the signs of parvo.

Parvo has many signs and symptoms. Common symptoms of parvo include:

Fever
Loss of Appetite
Lethargy
Vomiting

FAQ: Parvo in Dogs

How Does a Dog Get Parvo?

Parvo enters the canine system via the mouth. This can occur when your dog eats off the floor or cleans itself. It’s commonly spread from dog to dog.

How Do You Treat Parvo in Dogs?

There are several treatments for parvo in dogs. The most common ones include controlling your dog’s nausea, keeping them hydrated, and reducing bacterial infections when possible.

Can a Dog with Parvo Survive?

According to reputable veterinarians who have treated the condition, the survival rate of parvo in dogs is 68% – 92%. While your dog can survive, you must catch the disease early in its progression.

Contact Asavet Charities

If you suspect your pet is suffering from parvo, contact Asavet Charities immediately to find treatment solutions. The faster you act, the higher the odds are of your dog surviving. Protect your dog’s safety and health by using all of the tips we’ve included in this article. You may also enjoy reading this related article:

Everything You Need to Know About Parvo in Dogs

What Causes Valley Fever in Dogs? – Symptoms and Treatments

Written by csadmin on November 10, 2021. Posted in Pet Diseases, Valley Fever.

Valley Fever (Coccidioidomycosis) - 3D Illustration Showing Fungal Arthroconidia

Valley Fever (Coccidioidomycosis) is a fungal disease pretty much common among dogs in the southwestern United States. It is prevalent among dogs in the desert regions of California, Nevada, Utah, Colorado, Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas. Some reports have even made their way as far north as Oregon and Washington states.

But a study by The University of Arizona Health Sciences reports that 4% of dogs are affected by Valley Fever in the state. And the dog owners spend somewhere to the tune of $60 million every year.

And if you are considering a trip or planning to move to this part of the country, you need to learn about this disease to protect your canine family members. This article walks you through everything you need to know about Valley Fever, including symptoms, treatments, side effects, and much more.

How Do Dogs Get Valley Fever?

Sometimes called “San Joaquin Valley fever” or “desert rheumatism”, Valley Fever is a respiratory illness in dogs caused by pathogenic fungi called Coccidioides immitis.

The fungus generally exists in the soil as a mold and goes into a dormant state due to the arid conditions. During the rainy season, they grow and produce long filaments that contain contagious spores. When your dog digs around, the spores are disturbed and become airborne as well. If they inhale the spores, they metamorphose into a yeast-like organism, which then infects the lungs.

Fewer than 10 spores are required to cause the disease in susceptible animals.

What Are the Symptoms?

Healthy adult dogs can ward off the infection without any minimal signs of the disease. But puppies and older dogs have a weak immune system, hence they are susceptible to Valley Fever.

The most common symptoms of Valley Fever are:

Fever
Lack of energy
Loss of appetite
Weight loss
Coughing
Signs of depression

These symptoms signal a fungal infection in the lungs. As the disease progresses, the dog may develop pneumonia, which is detected through x-rays.

Your dog may take 7-21 days to develop symptoms of Valley Fever after exposure to the spores. However, the severity of the symptoms depends on the number of fungal spores inhaled by your dog.

What Is Disseminated Valley Fever in Dogs?

When the infection spreads outside the dog’s lungs, it reaches a more severe stage. In this stage, the fungus has been disseminated and spreads to other parts of the body.

The symptoms include:

Lameness, swollen joints, and limbs
Meningitis, or inflammation of the membranes around the brain and the spinal cord
Swollen lymph nodes under the chin, in front of the shoulder blades, or behind the stifles
Skull lesions (which are quite painful)
Muscle aches and stiffness
Headaches, back or neck pain
Seizures and other indications of the swollen central nervous system
Soft lumps under the skin resembling abscesses
Non-healing skin wounds that ooze fluid
Eye inflammation with pain or cloudiness
Sudden heart failure in a young dog
Photophobia (sensitivity to light)
Change in mental status

How Serious Is It?

Valley Fever is deadly for dogs with a weakened immune system or underlying conditions. A small number of dogs die from the severity of the disease every year despite veterinarians’ every effort to save them.

Few may need antifungal medications for life. Then again, there is the risk of relapse or reinfections in certain other cases.

Is Valley Fever Painful in Dogs?

If the Valley Fever spreads to other parts of the body, including bones, it can then cause severe pain. For disseminated disease, the infection can spread to the bones and joints. In the event of this happening, your pet may also suffer from painful and swollen joints.

Consult your veterinarian for pain relief and cough suppressants. This will not only make him feel better but also increase his appetite. Left untreated, the dogs can lose their legs altogether. In rare cases, the infections develop on the central nervous system, which can be fatal to the animal.

Can Valley Fever Affect the Dog’s Brain?

In severe cases, Valley Fever can affect your dog’s brain. When the fungus invades the brain, it can cause seizures.

These dogs usually need treatment all through their lives. The vet will have your pet on anti-seizure medication and steroids to reduce the swelling for the time being.

What Is the Prognosis?

Generally, dogs whose infections are confined to the lungs alone have a good prognosis and respond better to treatment. However, if the infection is too severe, where it has disseminated to other parts of the body, the veterinarian will suggest hospitalization or surgery in addition to medication.

Dogs with disseminated disease may need prolonged treatment, sometimes more than a year. However, depending on the spread, few animals may be on medications for life. Another small number may die from the complications arising from underlying health conditions.

How Is the Valley Fever in Dogs Diagnosed?

The symptoms don’t correspond to Valley Fever alone but also a myriad of other conditions. Some dogs do not show any symptoms of the primary infection. The veterinarian may recommend the below tests to confirm the presence of the disease.

One of the tests will include a titer test. It confirms the presence of antibodies, evidence of exposure to the fungus. Depending on the dog’s signs and symptoms, he may need the following tests:

Blood cell counts
Blood chemistry panels
Diagnostic x-rays (chest and infected legs)
Biopsy of samples (fluids and tissue)

Can It Be Cured?

Broadly Yes! This Statistics Report says that 90% of the dogs recover from the disease if caught early. In a few cases, the vets might prescribe medication for life, but others get back to everyday life just as before Valley Fever.

But, ensure that you continue the full course of medication since they can easily relapse.

How Do You Treat Valley Fever in Dogs?

In the first place, your veterinarian would do tests and x-rays to confirm the presence of the disease. Once confirmed, he would suggest antifungal medication which works to control the pathway and also restrict the spread of the fungus.

Depending on the severity of the infections, your dog will have medications for 6-12 months. In the case of a brain infection, the antifungal medication may be for life. But you should be able to detect an improvement in your dog’s health within 1-2 weeks.

The treatment may also require:

Intravenous fluids
Oxygen therapy
Surgical intervention for infected eyes and heart failure

What Are the Side Effects of Antifungal Medication in Dogs?

Valley Fever - What Are the Side Effects of Fluconazole in Dogs?

The side effects of the medication include:

Diarrhea / Soft stools
Nausea / Vomiting
Exfoliative dermatoses / Skin rashes or other skin disorders
Anorexia / Loss of appetite
Anemia / Iron Deficiency Anemia (IDA)
Polydipsia and Polyuria
Urinary incontinence (especially while sleeping)
Fatigue or Lethargy
Pale tongue, gums, and nose
Thinning hair / Alopecia (abnormal hair loss)
Dry skin / Dandruff
Hepatotoxins / Jaundice / Liver toxicity or failure

Dogs with pre-existing liver and kidney issues are prone to develop a bad reaction. In these cases, the veterinarian would keep an eye on his liver enzymes via a blood test.

What Is the Follow-Up Procedure after Treatment?

The veterinarian monitors the dog’s blood panels every month as long as he is on medication. Kidney and liver blood tests help the vet understand how the animal metabolizes the drugs.

Liver and kidney chemistry after one month of medication
Blood Chemistry after six months
Complete Blood Count after six months
Titer test every six months

However, in the case of dogs on long-term treatment plans, the frequency may reduce.

How Do You Prevent Valley Fever?

Valley Fever - US States Affected by Valley Fever — US States Affected by Valley Fever

Short of moving away from the region, there is no sure-fire way to prevent canine Valley Fever. Since it is one of the endemic areas that are fastly growing, it is impossible to avoid it.

The fungus lives 12″ deep in the ground and in spotted areas. So it is not possible to treat the soil.

The better prevention method is to:

Avoid activities that generate dust.
Get the dog out of the soil.
Stop them from digging.
Do not let your dog sniff rodent holes.
Cover your yard with gravel or grass.

Can Valley Fever Come Back in Dogs?

Yes! Valley fever is well known to come back no matter how the initial infection was treated. If a dog does not develop an antibody to the disease, he can relapse.

If your dog relapses, all you need is to get him back on the medication to control the signs. But the treatment this time around will be longer than the initial occurrence.

Can Valley Fever Cause Blindness in Dogs?

Yes! There is a chance that Valley Fever can cause blindness in your dog.

40% of the dogs suffering from the disease will have an eye infection. If your dog’s eyes are infected, then there are chances that it can develop inflammation leading to retinal detachment and glaucoma.

In rare cases, it can also cause blindness.

Is There a Vaccine for Valley Fever?

Valley Fever is a fungal infection, and as such, there is no vaccine currently available. However, considering the spread of the disease, there are vaccines currently in production.

How Much Does It Cost to Treat Valley Fever?

Treatment for Valley Fever can last from months to even years. The antifungal medication costs as much as $200 per month, not factoring in the other necessary medications or tests.

Additionally, reports from Arizona state that the prices are more likely to continue to rise as they have done in the past.

Is Valley Fever in Dogs Contagious?

No! There is no record of Valley Fever being a contagious disease. Even if more animals in the household develop an infection, it is due to the inhalation of spores.

Even coughing or open sores cannot spread the disease.

Are There Vitamins or Nutritional Supplements for Dogs with Valley Fever?

Your dog can receive a multivitamin supplement to boost his overall well-being and immunity. If your dog is on antifungal medication, he will be recommended a Vitamin C supplement to aid the absorption of the drug.

Since lack of appetite is common among dogs with Valley Fever, you might have to consult your vet about his nutritional needs. He might also prescribe an appetite stimulant to help your dog eat. But if nothing else works, a feeding tube may be the only option.

If your dog has been on medication for months at a time, he may have elevated liver enzymes. Denamarin, a blend of milk thistle and SAM-e, can bring down the levels.

However, they should be used only under the advisement of a veterinarian.

Can I Give Natural Medicine for Valley Fever in Dogs?

Yes! You can give natural medications to your pet. However, it should be under the consultation of a holistic animal care practitioner.

When treating naturally, your treatment plan would be to:

Boost immunity
Feed antifungal foods, anti-inflammatory foods, and nutraceuticals

Instead of conventional antifungal medications, your vet might prescribe:

Caprylic Acid
Olive Leaf Extract and Grapefruit Seed Extract
Oil of Oregano
Colloidal Silver

Another option is to feed your pet foods containing chitinase like banana, kiwi, peach, apricot, tomatoes, turnip, watermelon, celery, apple, squash family, etc.

Conclusion

Valley Fever or desert rheumatism is caused by a fungus common in the desert regions of Arizona and the nearby states. When your dog inhales the spores of the fungus, it causes Valley Fever.

The most common early signs of Valley Fever include cough, fever, lack of appetite, and more. In the primary stage, the disease is confined to the lungs. But later on, it can disseminate and spread to other parts of the body.

While 90% of the dogs recover quickly, few others can develop complications, including seizures, blindness, brain swelling, etc. A small percentage can die from these.

Even if you don’t live in or around the Valley Fever endemic area, should you plan to visit or vacation in one of the affected states (mentioned at the outset of this article), take precautionary measures to protect your dog’s health. Do what you can to reduce your pet’s exposure to soils and airborne dust. For example, keep your dog indoors as much as is practical and leash-walk him on paved sidewalks.

In the unfortunate event your dog is feeling unwell or starts showing some of the initial symptoms of Valley Fever (upon return from your trip), make sure to inform the vet of your recent travel history and ask whether a Valley Fever test should be administered. Early detection and intervention can help control your dog’s symptoms and even save your dog’s life. Your vet will prescribe the appropriate antifungal medication(s) along with pain relief and cough suppressants.

If you suspect your dog is suffering from Valley Fever, contact Asavet Charities immediately to find treatment solutions. The faster you act, the higher the odds are of your family pet surviving. You may also enjoy reading this related article:

Valley Fever in Dogs: Everything You Need to Know