Doesn't it seem like valley fever isn't spoken of much these days? (Phoenix: scorpions)

[Voebe]

I always thought valley fever sounded very scary. I was reading this, but didn't know about the dog aspect.

Fever Pitch | Valley News

[jdahunt]

Originally Posted by Voebe

I always thought valley fever sounded very scary. I was reading this, but didn't know about the dog aspect.

Fever Pitch | Valley News

My cousin who is ex-military contracted valley fever last year in Phoenix, the VA saved his life even though he lost a portion of his lung.

[Minntoaz]

My husband and golden retriever both got this when we lived in the Valley. It is awful!! I'm in the medical field and I've yet to see anything that hideous. My husband looked like he had leprosy. Spots EVERYWHERE. He was a big hit for the medical team, as it is fairly rare. As for the pup, poor thing couldn't get a proper diagnosis so I had to tell the vet what he had and his anti fungal meds eventually did work (about $500 or so later.) Husbands was due to living near construction site with all the dust being blown around and dog was from hiking on a windy day.

[observer53]

Originally Posted by Minntoaz

My husband and golden retriever both got this when we lived in the Valley. It is awful!! I'm in the medical field and I've yet to see anything that hideous. My husband looked like he had leprosy. Spots EVERYWHERE. He was a big hit for the medical team, as it is fairly rare. As for the pup, poor thing couldn't get a proper diagnosis so I had to tell the vet what he had and his anti fungal meds eventually did work (about $500 or so later.) Husbands was due to living near construction site with all the dust being blown around and dog was from hiking on a windy day.

I am sorry your husband was one of the few with a very severe case. As for the dog, dogs are particularly susceptible, not likely from a one time hike on a windy day, but because their noses are often to the ground. And if they aren't digging, they are sniffing the ground where the spores lie either on the surface or have been turned up on disturbed dirt. And yes, the meds are expensive.


To the OP- Valley Fever comes up as a subject here fairly often. Like scorpions and rattlesnakes, as people thinking of coming here focus on the perceived risks of living here.

[phx1205]

Congressman David Schweikert is pretty involved in Valley Fever work. I'd suggest following him for more info: https://schweikert.house.gov/issues/valley-fever

[BIG CATS]

I just literally saw a commercial for Valley Fever and its effects on people and animals the other night.