Experts say there are seeing more cases as more people move to the Valley, more people out and about during COVID, in addition to an increase in construction projects.
Valley Fever is an infection caused by a soil-dwelling fungus, and dogs are prone to this because they are digging in the dirt, and inhaling the spores.
With valley fever, there is nothing we can do to prevent it, which means we simply need to be aware of the symptoms.
Coughing and limping are typically the first two signs that the fungus is taking hold, along with weight loss in some dogs.
If caught early, most dogs have a six- to 12-month recuperation period. But some dogs may need to take medication for the rest of their lives.
Although there’s no cure for valley fever, the fungus is rarely deadly. It can, however, have a drastic effect on a dog’s quality of life and their owner’s pocketbook.